Heather Kidd

Senior Executive Assistant and trusted business partner with extensive experience supporting C-suite leaders and senior executives within complex global organisations. Brings a proactive, commercially minded approach to creating time and space for leaders to focus on strategic priorities. Actively seeking a role where I can make a tangible difference, apply my experience with real purpose and have a meaningful impact on the success of the organisation and the people I support.

Adaptable and emotionally intelligent, with a natural ability to build relationships, and remain calm and positive under pressure. Known for anticipating needs, getting things done and becoming a trusted extension of the executive and wider team.

Executive Assistant to Global Chief Digital Officer leading a Digital Transformation at Mars Petcare (2025-03 – Present)

Provide full support to a highly driven executive leading digital transformation, closely partnering with Director of Strategy to maintain focus on strategic priorities and project milestones.

• Provide full support to a highly driven executive, closely partnering with Director of Strategy to maintain focus on strategic priorities and project milestones acting as one team
• Manage a high-volume, fast-paced diary coordinating meetings with numerous C-suite leaders across multiple time zones
• Manage sensitive information with discretion, adapting quickly to changing priorities and making informed decisions at pace
• Organise complex global travel including visa management, transfers and accommodation in alignment with other senior leaders
• Liaise with other Senior Executive Assistants across Mars sectors globally to quickly schedule meetings across executives' diaries
• Coordinate global team offsites, integrating strategic workshops with networking, cultural activities, and engagement initiatives
• Partnered with CDO of Mars Petcare in large-scale digital transformation by orchestrating seamless coordination across Europe, the US, and Asia while adapting rapidly to changing priorities
• Organised high-profile offsites for global leadership and external advisory board, creating environments that enhance senior leader cross sector alignment and strengthen external VIP stakeholder collaboration
• Anticipated and reduced diary conflicts and improved executive availability by introducing scheduling protocols. Redesigned calendar logic to manage high-volume global requests
• Served as a highly trusted partner and reliable gatekeeper to executive, handling sensitive matters with discretion and monitoring the inbox to prioritise and respond to urgent emails

Partnerships Co-ordinator (part-time voluntary) at Speakers Collective Not-For-Profit (2024-09 – 2025-12)

Proactive management of relationships with partners and co-ordination of lived experience speakers.

• Proactive management of relationships with partners and co-ordination of lived experience speakers

Manager, Luxury New Hotel Opening Procurement EMEAA at IHG Hotels and Resorts (2023-04 – 2024-07)

Led the streamlining of hotel operating equipment procurement, ensuring alignment with brand standards.

• Procurement & Supplier Optimisation: Optimised supplier relationships and commercial deals for hotel owners while supporting a diverse and sustainable supplier strategy
• Project Leadership: Led procurement efforts for luxury hotels collaborating with hotel opening teams, designers, and external procurement partners, ensuring budget adherence and brand alignment
• Strategic Partnership: Worked closely with the Six Senses procurement team, owner representatives, and procurement partners to deliver the procurement strategy for Six Senses Hotel London

Executive Assistant to Chief Financial Officer, EMEAA at IHG Hotels and Resorts (2012-12 – 2023-03)

Enabled and supported CFO productivity by streamlining travel, meetings, and overall logistics, ensuring optimal use of time and resources.

• Diary & Travel Management; Oversaw calendar across global time zones optimising meetings and travel for efficiency
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Proactively implemented improvements in scheduling and travel processes driving efficiency
• Stakeholder Engagement: Building strong internal and external relationships
• Event Management: Successfully managed unique team events to enhance team collaboration
• EA Network Leadership: Conceptually designed and executed an EA best practice forum, connecting 40 C-level executive assistants to share knowledge and drive the adoption of new technologies
• Successfully led the Talent Management Programme for 120 delegates, achieving significant outcomes, including a 14% promotion rate and 34% of delegates advancing to the 'Accelerate Programme'
• Designed, organised, and facilitated a 12-month Breakfast Knowledge Exchange Programme to enhance cross-functional knowledge among Finance and other teams

Executive Assistant to Senior Vice President, Project Coordinator (contractor) at IHG Hotels and Resorts (2011-06 – 2012-11)

Managed communication and scheduling between project managers to drive the development of a hotel booking and management system.

• Managed communication and scheduling between project managers to drive the development of a hotel booking and management system

General Manager at Sanctum on the Green Hotel

Self-employed Marketing & Communications Consultant at Ghost Marketing

European Marketing Director at Information Management Systems CRM

Executive Assistant to Chief Financial Officer at HFC Bank

Office Assistant at Kuehne & Nagel

Advanced Certificate for the Executive PA in Executive Administration – Sutton College of Further Education

BA in Business Administration in Business Administration – Sutton College of Further Education

Diploma in Personal Assistance in Personal Assistance – Sutton College of Further Education

GCSEs in General Education