New Director of People and Culture

Another key appointment has been announced within the senior leadership team at Leeds.

Paul Boustead, who has been appointed Director of People and Culture at Leeds

New Director of People and Culture. November 2021

Paul Boustead will be joining the University in February 2022 as our inaugural Director of People and Culture.

Currently Executive Director of People and Organisational Effectiveness at Lancaster University, Paul’s appointment will see him play a leading role in developing and implementing people and organisational development strategies, while also ensuring the University realises a significant culture shift to become an organisation characterised by its inclusivity, collaboration and respect.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, said: “The University of Leeds is embarking on an exciting new era, thanks to our new 10-year strategy. Built on the three pillars of culture, community and impact, this strategy sets out our ambition to reduce inequalities and help shape a better future for humanity by educating the next generation of global citizens and embarking on challenge-led research.

“People are at the heart of this mission, and Paul shares our ambition for the University to be a values-led organisation, bringing a wide range of valuable experience to this role from his time in HE, local government and the NHS. He’s led a number of successful change programmes at Lancaster and I’m delighted he’s joining us as our new Director of People and Culture.”

‘Exciting time’

Paul will also lead the Human Resources (HR) Directorate, which includes Organisational Development and Professional Learning (OD&PL), in continuing to develop and retain a talented, diverse and adaptable community of staff, equipped to secure the successful delivery of the University’s strategic ambition.

Dennis Hopper, Interim Chief Operating Officer, said: “I’m very much looking forward to welcoming Paul to the University. He joins us at an exciting time in the delivery of our new strategy, and brings with him a wealth of leadership experience and a proven ability to deliver transformational change.”

‘Delighted and honoured’

Paul has more than 20 years’ experience in HR and organisational development, including roles in local government, local education authorities, the NHS and HE institutions. He’s one of a select few Companions of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

During his career, he has led a number of large-scale change programmes, including the merger of three HE institutions to create a single university.

At Lancaster University, Paul was responsible for developing and implementing its first People Strategy. Until recently, he was the elected Chair of Universities Human Resources (UHR), and he sits on several national groups and committees, including the national pay negotiation board for the sector and the USS employers’ pensions group.

Paul said: “I’m both delighted and honoured to be joining the University of Leeds as the inaugural Director of People and Culture.

“I’m excited to be part of such a forward-looking, ambitious and vibrant community, and I very much look forward to working together in the delivery of the University strategy and the embedding of our institutional values.” 

Related information

Paul will be one of several new arrivals at Leeds in the early part of 2022. He will be joined by:

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