Winning Moves for HR: How to stay in control – and sane – in a tough career market
A webinar hosted by The HR World and sponsored by The Talent World has provided HR professionals with a wealth of information, ideas and tips on how to create a successful career campaign, and indeed how to survive what is currently a very challenging jobs market.
With a panel consisting of Tom Bright, Director of The Talent World; Hannah Ford, Managing Director, Maru Search & Consultancy; Caroline Woolland, HR Director, The King’s Fund and Nebel Crowhurst, Fractional Chief People Officer at Each Person the webinar covered the subject of HR careers from many perspectives giving viewers a chance to take control of their working lives.
The discussion began by outlining why the jobs market was particularly challenging at the moment. Hannah Ford suggested that following the pandemic there had been a shift in the type of HR talent required by organisations, notably moving from the general to the specialist. Trends such as the rise in technology had also powered this movement, with the result that there were now fewer opportunities for HR generalists and more people actively seeking such roles.
Together, the panel outlined some initiatives and approaches HR professionals can take – whether they’re currently looking for work or simply wondering what their next steps might be while in their current position. Addressing your CV was high on the list, ensuring it presents you in the most appealing way – highlighting previous successes and demonstrating true business impact. The panel also emphasised the benefits of networking – particularly making contacts in person rather than only online. In this way HR professionals stand more chance of finding out about opportunities and being considered when such opportunities emerge.
With questions answered from the audience along the way, this was a lively and important webinar, ideal for setting up HR professionals for their next challenge and for the new year. According to Tom Bright the market is beginning to show some green shoots, and this webinar enables HR talent to prepare and be ready for whatever opportunities may emerge.
Tom has 20+ years experience in the human capital arena, with experience across recruitment, consultancy, HRtech and Edtech. Tom was part of the team who recently established The Talent World, a careers hub and job board specifically for HR and L&D professionals.
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Hannah Ford is the Managing Director of Maru Search & Consultancy, which she founded in November 2020 with the aim of creating a more holistic approach to recruitment.
Specialising in HR and Transformation recruitment, Hannah works with a wide range of clients from international banks to local councils. She is passionate about supporting each client and candidate as individuals, creating a personalised service which does not end once the candidate has started the role.
Maru means ‘Circle’ in Japanese, as Hannah believes the recruitment process should be cyclical and consultative, rather than transactional.
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Caroline Woolland is HR Director at The King’s Fund, the health and social care think tank, and an Associate Non-Executive Director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. With a career that began in radio, Caroline has navigated the HR job market across a range of sectors – including television, architecture, and social housing – gaining deep insight into how the profession is evolving. Her current work spans strategic people leadership, organisational change, and EDI, giving her a unique perspective on the skills and mindsets HR professionals need to thrive in today’s shifting landscape.
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Nebel Crowhurst is a Fractional Chief People Officer working with multiple organisations, including Each Person, to support the strategic goals through the lens of an effective People Strategy. She has enjoyed a broad career supporting the people agenda and leading extensive business change and growth within a spectrum of industries and various organisations including; River Island, Virgin, Roche and Reward Gateway. A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, and the Learning & Performance Institute. She featured on HR Magazines Most Influential HR Practitioners list in 2021, 2022 2023 and 2025 and holds a people committee advisory role with Macmillan Cancer Support as a Non-Executive Director, and an Advisory Board role with the Women in HR Network.
