152 | How to Prove HR’s True Value: Lessons From a Chief People Officer (With Leah Carnegie)
HR Coffee Time29 Aug 2025

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


Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes


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)


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:

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio

Avsnitt(166)

143 | 4 surprising training options to achieve excellence in your HR role

143 | 4 surprising training options to achieve excellence in your HR role

After completing your CIPD qualification, it can be hard to decide what training to invest in next. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis shares four valuable and perhaps surprising train...

17 Jan 202528min

142 | The 5 key factors that will help you achieve your goals, with Dr Ben Levy

142 | The 5 key factors that will help you achieve your goals, with Dr Ben Levy

Do you want to set yourself up for success for the year ahead? In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Dr Ben Levy, creator of the ABCME® framework, to explore the five key fac...

3 Jan 202531min

141 | Look back to look forward: how to reflect on 2024 to help you set goals for 2025

141 | Look back to look forward: how to reflect on 2024 to help you set goals for 2025

As the year comes to a close, taking time to reflect on 2024 can be a wonderful way to celebrate your successes and uncover inspiration for your goals in 2025.It’s so easy to fall into the trap of foc...

20 Dec 202434min

140 | 5 brilliant resources to transform your workshops & training sessions

140 | 5 brilliant resources to transform your workshops & training sessions

Have you ever been asked to design or deliver a workshop and found yourself worrying whether it will be as good as it could be? Whether you’re preparing your first training session or looking to enhan...

6 Dec 202434min

139 | Creating an inclusive workplace: a focus on religion and Faith, with Binna Kandola

139 | Creating an inclusive workplace: a focus on religion and Faith, with Binna Kandola

As organisations work to create more inclusive workplaces, some aspects of diversity receive more attention than others. Being able to express religious beliefs at work is an area that often remains u...

22 Nov 202435min

138 | Can’t find time for strategic work in HR? 5 tips to help

138 | Can’t find time for strategic work in HR? 5 tips to help

When you're in a busy HR or People role, finding time for strategic work can feel incredibly challenging. There are always urgent issues that need your attention and endless tasks on your to-do list. ...

8 Nov 202424min

137 | How to recognise and break free from the lies we tell ourselves at work, with Emma Djemil

137 | How to recognise and break free from the lies we tell ourselves at work, with Emma Djemil

Are there lies you're telling yourself at work that feel like cold, hard facts? Whether it's believing you don't deserve a promotion, thinking you're not qualified enough to apply for a different role...

25 Okt 202433min

136 | How to shape a winning workplace culture when you work in HR, with Annabelle Lawson and Paula Brockwell

136 | How to shape a winning workplace culture when you work in HR, with Annabelle Lawson and Paula Brockwell

Shaping workplace culture is becoming an increasingly important part of HR's role, with many HR functions being renamed as "People and Culture" and culture-related responsibilities appearing in job ti...

11 Okt 202431min

Populärt inom Business & ekonomi

framgangspodden
badfluence
varvet
rss-jossan-nina
rss-svart-marknad
rss-borsens-finest
avanzapodden
svd-tech-brief
uppgang-och-fall
rss-dagen-med-di
fill-or-kill
lastbilspodden
rss-inga-dumma-fragor-om-pengar
dynastin
24fragor
rss-kort-lang-analyspodden-fran-di
rss-den-nya-ekonomin
kapitalet-en-podd-om-ekonomi
bathina-en-podcast
borsmorgon