Laura Powell: Global HR Leader, Board Member and Dyslexia Ambassador
Laura Powell is a highly accomplished Human Resources leader with more than three decades of experience in global financial services, wealth management, asset management and retail. Currently serving as Global Head of People, Enterprise Talent and Interim Head of People, Group Infrastructure at HSBC, she has built her reputation as a strategic change-maker, a trusted adviser to boards, and a champion of inclusive leadership.
Her professional journey reflects a steady ascent through world-renowned organisations including HSBC, Deutsche Bank, DWS Group, and Marks & Spencer. Beyond corporate leadership, Laura Powell contributes as an Advisory Board Member, Executive Coach, Mediator, and Dyslexia Ambassador, highlighting her multi-dimensional career and commitment to empowering others.
Laura Powell’s Early Career Foundations
Marks & Spencer: Laying the Cornerstones of Leadership
Laura Powell began her career at Marks & Spencer in 1994, where she worked for over six years as a Commercial Management and Human Resources Manager. This early exposure to both retail operations and people management gave her a strong foundation in leadership, talent development, and the complexities of workforce engagement in a competitive environment.
Her dual focus on business management and HR equipped her with a versatile skill set that would later define her career in financial services.
A Defining Era at Deutsche Bank
Building Global HR Expertise
In 2000, Laura Powell joined Deutsche Bank, where she remained for over 13 years, taking on progressively senior roles. Her tenure at the bank cemented her as a global HR leader with deep expertise in employee relations, talent development, and strategic business partnering.
Key Positions Held at Deutsche Bank
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Global HR Business Partner for Asset Management and Private Wealth Management (2000–2009)
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Responsible for driving HR strategy across multiple regions, including London and Switzerland.
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Co-Head of Employee Relations (2009–2012)
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Oversaw complex employee relations issues, fostering a culture of fairness and compliance while balancing business needs.
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Global Head of HR Talent and Development (2012–2014)
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Led global talent initiatives, aligning development programmes with long-term organisational growth.
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Global HR Business Partner Technology and Operations (2014–2016)
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Partnered with senior leadership to shape HR practices across critical infrastructure areas.
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Through these roles, Laura Powell demonstrated her ability to manage complex global workforces, address sensitive employee issues, and champion initiatives that enhanced both people performance and business outcomes.
DWS Group: Chief Human Resources Officer
Leadership at Executive Level
From 2016 to 2019, Laura Powell served as CHRO and Global Head of Human Resources at DWS Group, the global asset management arm of Deutsche Bank. Based between London and Frankfurt, she was responsible for the full HR function, playing a central role in shaping corporate culture and supporting the firm’s transformation as a standalone business.
Her leadership at DWS showcased her ability to influence at the very top of an organisation, guiding senior executives and aligning talent strategy with growth ambitions.
Laura Powell at HSBC
Entering a New Chapter
In 2019, Laura Powell joined HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. She quickly rose to become one of the most senior HR leaders in the firm.
Career Progression at HSBC
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Global Head of HR, Retail Banking and Wealth Management (2019–2020)
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Directed HR strategy for the bank’s retail and wealth management businesses.
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Global Head of HR, Wealth and Personal Banking (2020–2022)
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Oversaw talent strategy during a time of significant change across the banking sector.
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Global Head of HR, Wealth and Personal Banking and Global Functions (2022–2025)
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Managed HR for one of the bank’s largest divisions and group-wide functions.
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Global Head of People, International Wealth & Premier Banking and Enterprise Talent (2025–present)
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Currently responsible for enterprise-wide talent strategy and people transformation across HSBC’s International Wealth & Premier Banking division.
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In addition, she has taken on the role of Interim Head of People, Group Infrastructure, reflecting her versatility and ability to lead across diverse business units.
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Through these leadership positions, Laura Powell has been instrumental in shaping HSBC’s talent development agenda, embedding inclusive leadership, and driving innovation in HR.
Board Memberships and Advisory Roles
Gloat Advisory Board
Since 2024, Laura Powell has served as an Advisory Board Member at Gloat, a New York-based AI-driven talent marketplace company. Her role allows her to shape the future of talent technology, bringing her HR expertise to a fast-growing digital platform.
Møller Institute, Churchill College, University of Cambridge
Also in 2024, she joined the Advisory Board of the Møller Institute, part of Churchill College, Cambridge. Here she supports leadership development initiatives, contributing her knowledge to one of the UK’s most respected centres of executive education.
These roles underline her influence beyond corporate HR, extending into education, technology, and leadership advisory.
Laura Powell as an Executive Coach and Mediator
Beyond her corporate positions, Laura Powell is known for her work as an Executive Coach and Mediator. She applies her deep understanding of leadership challenges to coach executives navigating complex organisational environments.
Her skills in mediation reflect her ability to handle conflict constructively, ensuring outcomes that respect individuals while serving organisational needs.
Advocacy and Ambassadorship
Dyslexia Ambassador
Laura Powell is also recognised as a Dyslexia Ambassador, advocating for neurodiversity in the workplace. She champions the creation of inclusive environments where individuals with dyslexia and other learning differences can thrive.
This personal commitment adds a distinctive layer to her leadership profile, as she bridges business success with social impact.
Education and Professional Development
Laura Powell holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of York, grounding her in critical thinking and analytical skills. She also completed an Executive Education Programme in Human Resources at the University of Michigan, further enhancing her leadership and HR expertise.
Her educational journey complements her career, equipping her with both academic foundations and executive-level training.
Legacy and Influence
A Global HR Visionary
Laura Powell’s career stands as a testament to the transformative power of effective HR leadership. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to align talent with strategy, guide organisations through change, and promote inclusive cultures at some of the world’s most significant financial institutions.
Her work extends far beyond HR administration. As a Global Head of People, Board Member, Executive Coach, and Ambassador for Dyslexia, she embodies a new kind of leadership—one that balances business performance with human potential.
Conclusion
Laura Powell’s journey from Marks & Spencer to her current senior leadership roles at HSBC reflects a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and innovation. With over 30 years of experience across retail, banking, and asset management, she has become one of the UK’s most influential HR executives.
Her board memberships, coaching, and advocacy further illustrate her commitment to shaping not only the future of work but also the future of inclusive leadership. In every role, Laura Powell has proven that effective people strategy is not simply about managing talent—it is about unlocking the full potential of individuals and organisations alike.
