Kirsten Brumfitt

I am a highly strategic and seasoned Chief People Officer/Chief Human Resources Officer with a distinguished career specialising in empowering technology-driven businesses with private equity and venture capital backing, as well as founder-led companies. With advanced qualifications in Employment Law (LLM) and Human Resource Management (Masters) I am adept at enhancing operational efficacy through robust people strategies that are closely aligned with business objectives and commercial realities.

I am a true partner to my colleagues on the Board and C Suite, collaborating closely to ensure alignment on our functional strategies to achieve the company's objectives.  I actively contribute to strategy sessions, utilising my commercial acumen and curiosity to propose solutions and identify opportunities and risks. 

I have operated in truly global leadership roles across EMEA, APAC and North America and have knowledge and experience of the differing geographical requirements and needs for employment law, cultures and employee engagement.  I have a breadth of experience across all facets of People and Culture from talent acquisition, reward (including Exec reward and share schemes), talent management, L&D, employee relations, business partnering, coaching and developing leaders and HRIS for data driven decision making.  I use my experience to build great teams to deliver excellence to the business.

I am known for my strategic vision, operational excellence, and the ability to enact change, making me ideal for leadership roles in dynamic, growth-oriented tech environments. My track record of forging robust relationships with senior stakeholders and driving People strategies that deliver tangible business outcomes positions her as a leader capable of steering organisations towards unprecedented success, including divestment/exit through acquisition/IPO.

I am currently operating role as a Fractional Chief People Officer via Onion Consulting Limited, where I deliver tailored fractional or interim People strategy and leadership solutions for start-ups and scale-up firms and SMEs. My work is critical in partnering with boards and collaborating with PE investors and VC backers, providing insightful people and culture strategies that accelerate business growth and transformation.

August 2023 to Present - Chief People Officer at Onion Consulting Limited

August 2023 to Present - Strategic People & Culture Consultancy Leader, Boardside

March 2019 to July 2023 - VP of People, Resolver (formerly Crisp Thinking Group Limited)

February 2016 to February 2019 - Senior Director, Employee Success, Certinia (formerly FinancialForce UK Limited)

November 2010 to January 2016 - Head of Human Resources, Sopra Banking Software Limited

2008 to 2010 - Human Resources Manager - Toyota Material Handling UK Limited

2005 to 2008 - Human Resources Manager - RPS Group Plc

2001 to 2005 - L&D and HR Adviser - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Coaching and NLP Qualifications (currently studying) - The Coaching Academy

2018 - 2021 - Masters in Employment Law - Robert Gordon University

2016 - APMG Change Management Qualification

2005 - 2006 - Masters in Human Resource Management - University of Huddersfield

2001 - 2005 - Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management - Leeds Metropolitan University