152 | How to Prove HR’s True Value: Lessons From a Chief People Officer (With Leah Carnegie)

How do you prove the true value of HR so the business takes you seriously – and appoints you as Chief People Officer?

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Leah Carnegie, Chief People Officer at Lottoland. Leah shares her journey from VP of People to CPO, explaining how she made sure HR wasn’t just seen as a support function but as a vital business partner.

As part of our special CPO/CHRO series – where each guest answers the same nine listener-chosen questions – Leah becomes the 7th CPO to share her story. Along the way, she offers candid insights into job titles, the mindset shift from “doing” to “thinking,” and the emotional weight of senior HR roles.

You’ll hear Leah’s thoughts on:

• The moment she realised HR had to be at the top table – and how she secured her seat
• The difference between VP/Director roles and the remit of a CPO
• Why business acumen is non-negotiable for HR leaders
• How coaching skills, feedback, and psychological safety underpin her leadership style
• The emotional challenges of the role – and the wellbeing practices that help
• Practical advice for aspiring and first-time CPOs

Whether you’re aiming for a CPO/CHRO role, or want to build confidence and influence in your current one, there’s plenty of inspiration to take from Leah’s experience.

Useful Links

• Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
• Visit Fay’s website
• Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme
• Connect with Leah Carnegie on LinkedIn
• Disruptive HR resources and HRBP workshops
• IDEO podcast
• Hyper Island

Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes

• Episode 78:5 Tips to Get Useful Feedback at Work to Help Your HR/People Career
• Episode 99:How Mediation Skills Can Help You Resolve Conflict at Work (With Pete Colby)
• Episode 53:Why Coaching Skills Can Help Your HR Career (& How to Develop Them), with Charlie Warshawski
• Episode 130:Build Managers’ Confidence and Skills With ‘The Coaching Two-Step’, with Jude Slater

Books Mentioned in This Episode

(Please note the links shared are affiliate links, so, Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you choose to purchase them)

• HR Disrupted: It’s time for something different – Lucy Adams
• The HR Change Toolkit: Your complete guide to making it happen – Lucy Adams

Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Strategic HR Sprint

Join the free Strategic HR Sprint and set yourself up for strategic success. 5 easy-to-implement ideas delivered to your inbox across 5 days.

The Strategic HR Sprint

Kara Connect - Help When It's Needed Most

Menopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they didn't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away.

Kara Connect