Francoise Gamelas

Global HR Executive with over 20 years' international experience partnering with CEOs, Boards and Executive Leadership Teams to develop people strategies that accelerate business growth, organisational transformation and international expansion. Experienced in leading HR across Europe, North America, Asia and Latin America, with a proven track record of building high-performing cultures, developing leadership capability and delivering commercially focused HR solutions. Recognised for leading organisational change, supporting mergers and acquisitions, implementing HR technology and driving employee engagement across multicultural environments.

Chartered

Fellow of the CIPD, trilingual, and executive coach.

Founder & Principal HR Consultant at Gateway HR Portugal (2025-08 – Present)

Founded a boutique HR consultancy supporting international organisations establishing and expanding operations in Portugal. Advising on HR strategy, employment compliance, organisational design, workforce planning and international expansion, whilst providing fractional HR leadership and strategic people advisory services.

Head of People & Culture at OLR (2017-09 – 2025-07)

Reported to: CEO | Executive Committee Member | Board presentations Scope: 300 employees | UK • Portugal • USA • Canada • Mexico • India • Singapore | HR Team of 10

• Led global HR strategy across seven countries, aligning people initiatives with ambitious business growth objectives.
• Built and developed a high-performing international HR team covering Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, Employer Branding, CSR and Health & Safety.
• Achieved Great Place to Work® certification across Portugal, the UK, USA and India, contributing to Best Workplaces Portugal rankings of #4 (2023) and #9 (2024).
• Led organisational transformation, restructures, acquisitions support, office relocation, facilities management and HR integration projects.
• Implemented BambooHR, international payroll and PEO solutions, improving operational efficiency and governance.
• Coached 30+ managers and advised senior leaders on organisational design, leadership development, performance and employee relations.
• Managed international recruitment, supporting periods of rapid growth with up to 40 hires during peak quarterly campaigns.

Head of Human Resources at Mast-Jägermeister UK (2014 – 2016)

Joined as the standalone HR function at a 3-person company; built HR infrastructure, policies and systems from the ground up as the business scaled to 80 employees. Partnered with the UK CEO to transform the HR function, establishing leadership development programmes, improving employee engagement and achieving Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For (#64) and Investors in People Bronze accreditation.

Progressive HR leadership positions at William Grant & Sons Russian; Standard Vodka; Polycom (EMEA); The Coca-Cola Company (2006 – 2014)

Supporting multinational organisations across the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and the UAE, specialising in HR business partnering, organisational change, leadership development, employee relations, reward, talent acquisition and international HR operations.

Leading Organisations in Disruptive Times – INSEAD

MA in Human Resource Management – University of Westminster

PGDip in Personnel & Development – Thames Valley University

PGDip in Business Communication – Porto Business School