Sonia Astill
About Sonia Astill
Sonia Astill serves as the Chief People Officer at Wickes, a position she has held since 2019. With extensive experience in human resources across various companies, she has previously worked at Argos, Homebase, B&Q, and Travis Perkins plc.
Current Role at Wickes
Sonia Astill serves as the Chief People Officer at Wickes, a position she has held since 2019. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the human resources strategy and initiatives within the organization. Her focus includes enhancing employee engagement, talent management, and organizational development. Under her leadership, Wickes aims to foster a positive workplace culture that aligns with its business objectives.
Previous Experience in Human Resources
Sonia Astill has extensive experience in human resources across various organizations. She worked at Argos in multiple roles, including Head of HR from 2003 to 2006 and later as HR & OD Director from 2012 to 2015. Additionally, she served as HR Director at Homebase from 2007 to 2012 and as HR Director at Travis Perkins plc from 2016 to 2019. Her earlier career included positions at B&Q as Head of Resourcing and Kingfisher plc as HR Controller.
Leadership at Institute of Student Employers
From 1997 to 2003, Sonia Astill held the position of Chair at the Institute of Student Employers, formerly known as the Association of Graduate Recruiters. In this capacity, she contributed to shaping policies and practices related to graduate recruitment and employment. Her leadership helped advance the interests of employers and improve the experiences of graduates entering the workforce.
Educational Background in Chemistry
Sonia Astill studied at the University of Leeds, where she earned a Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc Hons) in Chemistry from 1987 to 1990. This educational background provided her with a strong analytical foundation, which she has applied throughout her career in human resources and organizational development.