Louise Ellis

FCIPD

Role

Chief People Officer

Location

London, United Kingdom

Louise Ellis, Gleeds’ Chief People Officer, sits on the Operations Board and leads the Global people strategy. Working closely with our CEO and COO, this encompasses not just HR, but also global talent acquisition, and people development, all while aligning with the company's core values, behaviours and Global vision.

Louise's days are a dynamic blend of strategy and action. She collaborates closely with her team to refine their plans and supports their implementation. Her influence extends beyond the teams she manages; playing a crucial role in establishing effective and engaging people processes and governance in all business areas, including those in newly
established business’ such as Saudi Arabia and Peru. Her dedication is evident in her partnership with our Country leads, where she supports the resourcing, development, and welfare of all Gleeds employees.

What drives her is the desire to achieve goals in an engaging, holistic, and purposeful manner. Her journey from the retail sector to construction reflects her belief in the centrality of people in any business. The cultural ethos and partnership model at Gleeds, coupled with the challenge of structuring its people management, drew her to the organisation.

Louise resonates deeply with the collaborative value at Gleeds. She believes in fostering an inclusive and progressive work environment, which not only benefits the employees but also enhances client satisfaction and project success. Her advice to newcomers at would be:

Take your time to consciously settle into Gleeds, build collaborative relationships and trust with your peers and colleagues and learn how to give your best. Be prepared for hard but rewarding work and embrace any challenges that come your way.

Her proudest achievements at Gleeds? Building and leading a people team aligned with her goals to achieve the recognition of Gleeds as a Great Place to Work, supporting the opening of Gleeds del Peru through the mobilisation of a large number of employees during the pandemic, and establishing the company wide strategy and approach to Fairness, Inclusion and Respect. Outside of her professional life, Louise loves Cornwall, is a Pilates enthusiast and enjoys horse riding, valuing the inner strength and freedom they bring. With a supportive family, she balances her demanding career with personal fulfilment and adventure.

Reflecting on her career, Louise feels immense pride. Had she not ventured into HR, she imagines a career in law, making a difference in society. But in her current role at Gleeds, she's doing just that, shaping a better workplace and, in turn, a better world.