Uma Cresswell appointed to Main Board

Oakleaf Group – News – 1st September, 2022

Oakleaf Group, comprising the specialist Oakleaf Partnership, Oakleaf Executive, Oakleaf Technology, Change & Transformation (TCT) and Total Rewards Search (TRS) businesses, is delighted to announce that Uma Cresswell has been appointed to its Main Board, effective from 5th September.

Uma spent over 25 years in senior HR roles globally. She has a wealth of experience having worked with the global heads of multiple business lines at ANZ Banking Group Limited, AXA Rosenberg, Deutsche Bank, Cable & Wireless and NatWest.  She has operated at C-Suite level dealing with topics and projects including regulatory reform, corporate governance, organisational design, EDI projects, talent acquisition and development, succession planning, HR transformation, and change management.

Uma is of Indian heritage and was born in Uganda. She is a Non-Executive Director serving on a number of boards both in the private and third sector, whilst running her own international HR consulting business. She has extensive coaching expertise in inclusive leadership, cultural sensitivity, strategy, behaviours, performance, change and transformation.

Uma is a natural communicator and uses her wealth of experience, personal background, cultural heritage, and life experiences to transform people and environments around her.

Uma joins Oakleaf Group with a key focus to support its ambitious growth plans, whilst enabling further development of the Group’s values and culture.

Uma is President Emeritus of City Women Network (and only the second woman of colour) to serve on the board.  CWN is one of the longest established independent organisations for professional and businesswomen in the UK, committed to furthering the professional and personal development of female talent in business.

Oakleaf’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and to developing Women in Leadership, both internally and externally, resonates strongly with Uma.

Uma commented: “I am delighted to be joining the main Board of Oakleaf Group and supporting the business with it’s people agenda and ambitions growth plans. The recruitment sector and the future of work, is experiencing many changes and opportunities. I am very excited to be joining an organisation that is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, is values led and wholly customer centric.”

Richard Colgan, Founder and CEO, said: “I am delighted to welcome Uma to the Main Board of Oakleaf Group. I have known Uma for many years and have always considered her of excellent judgement, with strong personal values and outstanding commercial acumen.  She is a huge asset to the Main Board and to the Group as a whole.”