Karen Webster
About Karen Webster
Karen Webster serves as the Head of HR Shared Services at Wickes, a position she has held since 2021. With a background in human resource management and extensive experience in various HR roles, she has previously worked at BUILT and Nationwide Building Society.
Work at Wickes
Karen Webster currently serves as the Head of HR Shared Services at Wickes, a role she has held since 2021. In this position, she oversees various HR functions and initiatives aimed at enhancing employee engagement and operational efficiency. Prior to this role, she worked at Wickes as the OD and Change Programme Manager from 2019 to 2021, where she focused on organizational development and change management strategies. Her extensive experience at Wickes also includes serving as the Senior HR Business Partner and Head of HR Retail from 2008 to 2014, where she managed HR operations across retail locations.
Previous Experience in HR
Before joining Wickes, Karen Webster held several significant positions in human resources. She worked at BUILT as the Head of HR from 2016 to 2019, where she contributed to HR strategy and workforce planning. Her earlier roles include serving as a Change Management Consultant at Nationwide Building Society from 2001 to 2004, and as an HR Business Partner from 2004 to 2008. Additionally, she was involved in HR leadership at Nationwide Building Society as a Senior HR Business Partner from 2008 to 2014, focusing on aligning HR practices with business goals.
Education and Expertise
Karen Webster studied Human Resource Management at The Nottingham Trent University, where she earned her MSc from 2010 to 2011. This academic background has equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex HR challenges. Additionally, she completed her secondary education at Ecclesbourne School in Duffield from 1982 to 1988. Her educational qualifications support her extensive experience in HR roles across various organizations.
Career Timeline
Karen Webster's career spans multiple roles in human resources and change management. She began her career at Nationwide Building Society, where she worked as a Change Management Consultant from 2001 to 2004. She then transitioned to HR roles within the same organization, serving as an HR Business Partner from 2004 to 2008. Following her tenure at Nationwide, she joined Wickes, where she held several HR positions, including Senior HR Business Partner and Head of HR Retail from 2008 to 2014, before moving to BUILT and then returning to Wickes.