Heather Whitaker

Professional Background

• Senior HR professional who has worked for a series of large blue chip and organizations with cutting-edge HR practices
• Led or involved in M&A of all sizes
• Specialises in assignments requiring change and engagement
• 20 years of international experience including leading European, global and UK projects and HR departments
• Highly commercial and business aligned
• Sector experience includes pharmaceuticals, engineering, life sciences, technology, agriculture
• Associate of Global PMI partners

M&A Skills & Expertise

• HR strategy and strategic planning
• HR due diligence and audit
• Talent identification and management
• Organisation transformation including organization design, restructuring, and transitions
• Change management
• Senior leadership selection
• Experienced in working with unions and Works Councils

Project Highlights

M&A and Headcount reduction related engagements on which Heather has worked include:

• Amersham Biosciences – 13% worldwide reduction
• Electrolux – European HR reduction as a move to a new HR model
• GE – breakout group HR lead
• Pfizer – integration and site relocation
• Haemonetics – three separate acquisitions, subsequent integrations plus restructuring
• Daiichi Sankyo Development – restructuring and integration
• GSK – transformation programme with restructuring, de-layering, competency design, selection, culture change programme, process changes