Episode 250: Uncovering the Full Ambition of HR - Sharon Doherty, Chief People and Places Officer, Lloyds Banking Group

Sharon Doherty doesn't think HR's job ends at the office door. Across a career spanning Heathrow Terminal 5, Vodafone and now Lloyds Banking Group, she has consistently pushed the boundaries of what people strategy can do - for business and for society. For our milestone 250th episode, Sharon makes a compelling case that this is the defining opportunity of the HR profession. She shares how she has improved safety at scale, shaped industry-leading family policy, and helped organisations become forces for good in society. At Lloyds, that includes tackling social mobility head on: opening doors for young people through employment, work experience and practical support, and showing why small acts of support can change the course of someone's future. She also shares her belief that HR's greatest responsibility right now is helping people navigate the age of AI with confidence and agency - not as a threat to manage, but as a moment for the profession to lead. If you've ever wondered how much influence an HR leader can really have, this episode is your answer. Thank you to Unleash for sponsoring this episode Unleash World returns to Paris from 20th – 22nd October 2026, bringing together the global HR community to explore what's next for the future of work. With more than 8,500 attendees, 300 speakers and representatives from 140 countries, it's one of the world's leading gatherings for HR leaders shaping workforce strategy, AI and organisational transformation. Alongside Sharon Doherty, you'll hear from many familiar voices from the How HR Leaders Change the World podcast, including Natalia Wallenberg, CHRO at Ahold Delhaize, Katarina Berg, CHRO at On, and Stephen Childs, CHRO at Panasonic Automotive. Other speakers include Louis Theroux, Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO at L'Oréal, and Eddie Wilson, CEO at Ryanair. If you'd like to join us in Paris, Unleash has kindly offered our community an exclusive 15% discount on attendee passes. Register here:https://events.unleash.ai/e/unleash-world-2026/content/registration-general-attendee-pass/?discount=upliftingpeople-15att-sh-ps We hope to see you there!