155 | The Mindset, Skills & Plan to Become a Successful Chief People Officer (With Dr Andrew Stephenson)

There’s so much more to becoming a successful Chief People Officer (CPO) or CHRO than experience alone – it’s about building the mindset, skills and plan that help you succeed and make an impact.

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Dr Andrew Stephenson, Chief People Officer at Equiniti, who has held CPO roles in three major international businesses. Under his leadership, Equiniti has become a Top Employer in the UK, US and India, winning multiple CIPD and HR Excellence Awards, and Andy himself has been named one of the CIPD’s HR 30 under 30 leaders.

You’ll hear Andy’s thoughts on:

  • How he created his first Chief People Officer role and convinced the board he was the right person for it
  • Turning strategy into a simple, one-page plan (and why clarity matters more than volume)
  • The difference between HR Director and CPO roles – and what it means to work on the business, not in it
  • Habits and diary practices that help him (and his team) perform at their best
  • Practical ways to protect mental health and prevent burnout in a senior role
  • The importance of lifelong learning – and how his curiosity led to “accidentally” earning a doctorate
  • His advice for aspiring CPOs on building commercial awareness, gaining breadth, and backing yourself

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