Lucy Adams

Lucy Adams has become a certified favourite amongst audiences of CEOs looking for innovative ways to lead their organisations in current times.

CEO ‘Disruptive HR’, Lucy Adams brings a fresh perspective to business-minded audiences looking for innovative practices in leading their people. Being on the Board of the BBC through a turbulent period as its former HR Director, Lucy knows what it takes to lead change in a high-profile environment; as a keynote speaker and conference facilitator, she discusses how leaders and the HR profession can adapt to uncertain times.

As the BBC’s former HR Director, Lucy’s lengthy stint at one of the UK’s most famed institutions taught her valuable lessons for affecting change  and people management . As she steered the Beeb through turbulent times, the corporation had four Director-Generals; opened the new broadcasting centre in Salford and the largest multi-media newsroom in Europe; delivered significant financial reductions and handled high profile crises including pay-offs and the Savile scandal.

Her five-year tenure at the BBC started in 2009 when she was called into the organisation on the reputation she had built as Group HR Director at Serco plc and Eversheds. For 15 years she had led and delivered change in complex organisations, and the BBC made her responsible for delivering significant changes, including reducing management staff by over 30% and delivering people plans which ensured the smooth opening of BBC North and the new multi-media newsroom in Broadcasting House.

Lucy was also charged with managing the entry and exit of each DG of the period, and became the corporation’s mouthpiece on numerous issues, representing the BBC on the Today programme, Panorama and Newsnight.

With responsibilities including reforming executive pay and managing the subsequent media and political fall-out, Lucy’s high profile position placed her in a highly charged position, professionally and politically.

In the conference room, she unapologetically draws on her extensive acumen and unique experiences to challenge past practices no longer working within an uncertain ‘VUCA’ world (‘one that’s Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous’).

Through a blend of  business  thinking, solid evidence, and good humour, few others in the speaking circuit make the points Lucy does with as much direct HR insight or clear organisational savvy.

A key focus for her clients right now is how leaders and HR professionals can make sure they don't just go back to normal - but use the crisis to springboard into something better - a better normal!