Lucy Adams

CEO of Disruptive Hr, Former Hr Director of The BBC, Former Group HR Director for Serco

Lucy Adams, renowned for her tenure as the BBC's HR Director during one of its most challenging periods, has become a sought-after keynote speaker for International Women's Day. During her time at the BBC, she managed responsibilities encompassing training, development, employee relations, and rewards. Notably, Lucy's strategic expertise led to a remarkable £25 million annual saving by reducing the management structure by over 30%. Her adept handling of these responsibilities has equipped her with invaluable insights, making her a compelling speaker for business events, conferences, and functions worldwide.

During her five-year stint at the BBC, Lucy navigated numerous controversial issues and high-stakes situations. She oversaw the significant move to the Salford site and managed public crises such as executive pay-offs and the Savile scandal. With responsibility for over 20,000 employees, her role in talent retention, development, and remuneration was pivotal. Before her impactful tenure at the BBC, Lucy served as Group HR Director at Serco, where she adeptly managed the challenges of extensive expansion and acquisition. Her experience in incorporating new employees and cultures during this period further honed her skills, which she now shares in her engaging presentations.

Currently, Lucy is the CEO of Disruptive HR, an agency she founded to innovate and modernise outdated HR practices. Frustrated by the profession's stagnation, she created Disruptive HR to help HR Directors and business leaders implement effective, forward-thinking strategies. Lucy is also an accomplished author, having penned "HR Disrupted" and "The HR Toolkit," where she shares her insights and practical advice. Her pioneering work in HR transformation and her dedication to improving the field have solidified her reputation as an industry leader.

As a keynote speaker, Lucy brings a fresh and energising perspective to her audiences. Her presentations are known for being passionate, entertaining, and thought-provoking, leaving lasting impressions on her listeners. Her speaking topics, including personal resilience, leadership in times of crisis, and preventing a bullying culture, are highly relevant to today's business climate. Lucy's ability to deliver real change in complex organisations and her insightful commentary on power dynamics make her a highly sought-after speaker, particularly for events like International Women's Day.

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