Jean Tomlin

London 2012 – one of the most successful Olympic Games in history – run by a dedicated team of 200,000 staff which were put together by HR Director Jean Tomlin – leading a scheme with no room for failure. Post London 2012, Jean continues to run her own consultancy firm Chanzo, and holds several non-exec positions on prestigious boards such as supermarket giant Sainsbury’s and luxury brand Michael Kors.

From her 2006 appointment as HR Director for London 2012, Jean mobilised 200,000 Gamesmakers and staff. She oversaw the workforce, management  and recruitment of the team, which comprised 8,000 paid staff, 70,000 volunteers and at least 100,000 contractors.

The 1 million hours of training required before deploying the operational workforce, was a formidable venture, as well as the day-to-day HR operations and activities of LOCOG, including accrediting and kitting out the workforce and training and engaging them.

Planning and implementing diversity and inclusion; organisation design and industrial relations, as well as her HR position, contributed to Jean’s OBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List. Jean also received the CIPD Special Achievement Award in September 2012 for services to HR.

Before she joined LOCOG, Jean worked at a senior HR level for Egg and Prudential; Group HR Director at Marks & Spencer plc, and as an executive advisor to the BBC.

Her career began as a graduate trainee at Ford, starting in personnel, training and labour relations.

Alongside her current role on the board of Sainsbury’s, Jean has held a number of non-executive roles, including Independent Board Director of Michael Kors, Trustee Board Director of John in Trust and Step up to Serve, Jean is also a Council Member of Loughborough University. She was a member of the Qualifications and Curriculum Advisory Board, the Race Relations Advisory Group, a Commissioner for Judicial Appointments and a Trustee of CIDA (a South African self-funding university).

Jean is a Companion of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has been Vice-President, Organisation Design and a member of the CIPD Enterprise Board.

In her role as founder and CEO of her own company Chanzo, Jean specialises in operational effectiveness, consulting, recruitment agency for major events and sports sectors.

On the speaking circuit, Jean can relay her expertise on human resources change management and top level leadership.