Hi there, I am Siân and here is my own story... 

I've been so lucky over the past three decades as a business journalist and editor to interview some of the most fascinating names in business – from those who may not be best known for their people leadership (!) to the best of role models. Along the way I have found myself, pen in hand, in front of leaders as varied as ex-boxer George Walker, billionaire retailer Phillip Green and former UK prime minister Teresa May to ex Tesco head Terry Leahy, global entrepreneur Richard Branson and the founder of Russian Standard Roustam Tariko. I certainly have some stories to tell!

Through all this I have seen the impact good people practice and continual learning plays in successful and sustainable organisations. And it was this this that prompted me to leave the corporate publishing world and my previous role as editor and then publishing director of HR magazine back in 2017 to pursue my dream of launching my own business with a brand to help people leaders to thrive in the fast-evolving digital working environment.

The result was The People Space, launched with my partner Nigel Pritchard and which enables people leaders and global thinkers to tell their stories through an online 'magazine' and insights-driven blog focused on the changing nature of work and building sustainable organisations. Our purpose is to promote the value created by people in an age when humans increasingly work alongside machines. At The People Space we believe that a positive and productive work culture is beneficial to the individual, organisation, wider economy and society.  

In my career I have covered HR, marketing, retail, hospitality and food and drink among other sectors. As a former board director, editor and journalist at some of the UK’s most successful business publications including The Grocer and Retail Week, I've delivered award-winning content, mentored journalists who have gone on to be leading names in their sectors, and created innovative and successful brands including the annual HR Most Influential list, HR in the Boardroom with CEO coach and LinkedIn Influencer Steve Tappin and The Grocer Gold Awards.

In addition I was executive editor of How to Become a World Class Manager by Wayne Clarke (March 2023) and author of several papers on HR including the CIPD's Responsible Investment in Technology Guide as well as a series of case studies on the impact of the CIPD Trust’s mentorship schemes. I've also been a trustee/non-executive director at leadership institute Roffey Park,  am a member of the National Online Recruitment Academy and co-organiser of DisruptHR London and media partner of the Business Culture Awards.

As well as the future of work my key interest is the environment and sustainability and while I was at William Reed I took an active role on the Business in the Community committee and led the environmental sub-group, introducing recycling across the company and examining energy and transport issues. This is an area I plan to build on going forward.

All of this experience has only reinforced my lifelong belief in the value of peer learning, collaboration and connections. This is why we launched The HR Leaders Club at The People Space and Nigel and I can't wait to see you in the Club.