International law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Jo McConnell global chief people officer in order to drive its people and culture strategy.
McConnell will start in the role on 1 January and succeed chief people officer Helen Anthony, following her retirement at the end of the year after more than 12 years with the firm.
With more than 30 years of experience in global and regional industries, including professional services, energy, financial services and mining, McConnell joins from Accenture, where she led the chief executive officer (CEO) transformation practice across its growth markets.
McConnell said: “Herbert Smith Freehills is known around the world for its exceptional people, teams and culture, which underpins everything it does for its clients. I am joining this firm at a time when it is strengthening its investments in professional development and attraction of top talent, while embracing the opportunities presented by AI and rapid technological change. I look forward to working alongside an incredibly talented and dedicated team of HR professionals across our international network to lead the firm’s people and culture ambitions.”
Justin D’Agostino, global CEO at Herbert Smith Freehills, added: “Jo will play a key role in ensuring that we have the very best people to support our clients’ success. Jo will lead our people and culture strategy globally, which brings insights and diverse perspectives from offices in almost 20 countries, and will support key growth areas for our clients, including energy transition, private capital and AI and technology.
“Jo brings deep experience in digital and organisational transformation, high performance culture, as well as C-suite leadership development, and will help to lead the expansion of these capabilities globally. We are intentionally investing in developing and acquiring skills in these growth areas, such as in generative AI, which will bring increased career opportunities for our people and stronger outcomes for our clients.”
