Emily Spiers

Growth-driven leader with extensive experience leading organisational transformation, scaling HR infrastructure, and enabling rapid commercial expansion across UK and global markets. Proven success in building future-ready organisations through strategic workforce planning, modern reward frameworks, and leadership development. Trusted advisor to Boards and Senior Leadership Teams, known for delivering people-centric change that strengthens culture, accelerates performance, and supports international scalability.

Experienced in leading high-performing HR teams (including a team of 7) and in rolling out the Grenade brand globally, establishing new teams and HR operations across multiple regions.

Global Head of Human Resources at Grenade (2020-03 – Present)

• Delivered a People Strategy enabling 71% organisational growth in 2023, scaling HR infrastructure to match business demand.
• Led People workstream for M&A, driving integration, cultural alignment, and organisational readiness.
• Directed major business transformation, including organisational redesign, structural optimisation, and overhead reduction.
• Played a key role in rolling out the Grenade brand globally, establishing HR operations and building teams across new international markets.
• Set up scalable people processes, recruitment frameworks, and leadership capability to support global expansion.
• Ensured cultural consistency and brand alignment across regions while adapting HR practices to local employment frameworks.
• Overhauled the Total Reward Strategy, modernising compensation, benefits, and recognition.
• Implemented Strategic Workforce Planning, strengthening succession pipelines and future proofing capability.
• Designed and embedded a company-wide DE&I strategy, elevating cultural maturity and leadership accountability.
• Led and developed a high-performing HR team of 7, enhancing leadership capability through a bespoke development programme.
• Delivered an exceptional Employee Engagement programme, reducing attrition, increasing EPS, achieving a 50% uplift in completion rate, and maintaining a 94%+ index score.
• Built a performance appraisal system and talent roadmap to drive high performance and organisational scalability.
• Owned all Change Management programmes and the Overhead Budget, ensuring transformation delivered measurable business impact.

Human Resources Manager at Grenade (2019-01 – 2020-03)

• Built and embedded a compliant, innovative People Strategy supporting early-stage organisational growth.
• Advised the Board on HR fundamentals and complex ER matters during structural evolution.
• Designed bespoke Learning & Development programmes aligned to capability needs.
• Led the organisation's Covid-19 response, ensuring safety, wellbeing, engagement, and compliant furlough/CJRS management.
• Introduced Talent Acquisition and Retention strategies, including PDR, Talent Mapping, and succession planning.
• Established an in-house recruitment model, delivering £250,000 cost savings.
• Designed and delivered the Grenade Induction Programme, onboarding 30+ employees annually.
• Delivered consistent HR operations and payroll with 100% accuracy.

HR & Business Support Manager at Compass Group (2017-01 – 2019-12)

• Built and led a high-performing administrative team of nine, supporting operational efficiency and organisational growth.
• Managed CRM systems, reporting, and operational data integrity.
• Improved workflow processes and productivity through targeted operational enhancements.
• Coordinated cross-department projects and communication.
• Recruited, trained, and developed staff, conducted performance reviews, and administered salaries.

Human Resource Assistant at Compass Group (2014-09 – 2016-12)

• Delivered accurate and efficient day-to-day HR operations.
• Administered compensation, benefits, and performance management systems.
• Managed recruitment processes and compliant documentation.
• Enforced HR policies and supported HR communications.
• Supported HR Director and HRBPs with full TUPE processes.

CIPD Level 3 and 5 in Human Resources

CIPD Level 7 in Human Resources