British Business Bank appoints Karen Barnett as its new Chief People Officer

The British Business Bank has appointed Karen Barnett as its new Chief People Officer, effective from October 2023.

Karen joins the British Business Bank from WH Ireland, a private wealth management, financial planning and capital markets services company where she was Human Resources Director and a member of its Executive Committee, and where she established a best practice HR team, responsible for collaborating with the Board and CEO to develop and implement people strategies and policies.

Prior to joining WH Ireland, Karen was Head of Human Resources at Merian Global Investors where she focussed on organisational effectiveness, culture, talent acquisition, and supporting multiple business change agendas. Karen began her career working within a large team at the Department for Education.

Karen holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from Middlesex University and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.