PPL announces restructured HR team to support increased focus on staff wellbeing
UK music licensing company PPL is today announcing a reorganisation of its HR operations to provide an increased focus on the wellbeing and support of the company’s staff.
An expansion of the HR team will be headed by Kate Reilly in the role of Chief People Officer and will look to address new workplace challenges that have arisen since the start of the pandemic and to deliver PPL’s ambitious Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda.
As part of these changes, Juliette Edwards will take up the newly-created role of Deputy People Officer – Talent and Wellbeing where her responsibilities will include leading on wellbeing initiatives, career and development conversations, and identifying and recruiting talent. She has been with PPL for more than seven years in the previous role of Head of People and Organisational Development.
Under Reilly, who was previously Director of People and Organisational Development, the reorganisation will provide greater focus on the wellbeing and support of PPL’s employees. It will also support the delivery of the company’s far-reaching and comprehensive EDI agenda, which includes the launch last year of an internal Diversity Forum, backing industry initiatives such as UK Music’s Ten-Point Plan to increase diversity and inclusion at PPL and other industry trade bodies, and the introduction of new recruitment practices such as trialling anonymised CVs and diversifying selection panels.
The roll-out comes as the company’s nearly 200 employees return to the office after an extended period of working from home. As they move to a new hybrid office/remote working setup, further in-house training and career development support will be provided for them with the appointment of an additional Training Partner. A full-time Recruitment Advisor role has also been created in response to a significant increase in those applying for roles at PPL as a result of the pandemic.
The changes will additionally support the HR role that the company is now providing to the Musicians’ Union, the Royal Society of Musicians and the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), which is chaired by PPL Chief Executive Officer Peter Leathem.
Peter Leathem, PPL Chief Executive Officer, said:
“I would like to congratulate both Kate on her role as Chief People Officer and Juliette for her appointment to Deputy People Officer – Talent and Wellbeing, where she will focus on the two very important areas of talent and staff wellbeing. PPL’s employees are at the heart of everything we do on behalf of our recording rightsholder and performer members, so it is vital that we give them the maximum possible support. Like other companies, we have faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the pandemic, while we are now looking to support our staff through a new period of change and transition as they return to the office after an extended period of working remotely. I know that the reorganisation announced today will deliver even greater support to our employees in the development of their careers and to ensure their wellbeing, while it will also help to further drive forward our ambitious Equity, Diversity and Inclusion agenda to deliver real and meaningful change.”
Kate Reilly, PPL Chief People Officer, said:
“How PPL returns to the office, its ways of working, our EDI agenda and our employees’ wellbeing are all key areas of focus for PPL. I am delighted that Juliette has been appointed to Deputy People Officer – Talent and Wellbeing, to drive forward PPL’s people agenda within talent and wellbeing, and I look forward to being able to continue to work closely with her. The changes will also play a critical role in us delivering our EDI agenda, including on recruitment and career progression, as we look to further diversify our team and attract the best new talent.”
Juliette Edwards, PPL Deputy Chief People Officer – Talent and Wellbeing, said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be able to be appointed into this role, having worked within the wellbeing space for over 20 years. Talent and wellbeing are aspects that I am incredibly passionate about. The authentic wellbeing of our staff is an absolute priority for PPL and has become an even greater focus for us in light of the pandemic and as we all return to the office after a long period of working from home. With this reorganisation, we have set ourselves the ambitious goal of making this company an even better place to work by ensuring that every member of the team is fully motivated to carry out their role, is given every opportunity to develop their career and is supported in their wellbeing.”