Wendy Cunningham

Savings and retirement organisation Phoenix Group has announced the appointment of Wendy Cunningham as its new HR chief operating officer.

The role is a newly-created one, aimed at elevating the business to become an employer of choice among its peers.

Cunningham joins the company after spending 12 years at Experian, where she first joined as its global talent director, before moving up to reward director, and latterly HR director (global HR strategy and services).

Prior to working at Experian, she was also chief of staff at Barclaycard and HR director at Barclays International.

Cunningham brings nearly 25 years’ experience to her new role. She said: “I am delighted to have joined the HR team at Phoenix at such an exciting time.”

She added: “I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues to support the strategic growth of the business and make Phoenix the best place colleagues have ever worked. The plan is to deliver an ambitious people strategy.”

She will report to Group HR director, Sara Thompson, who said:Wendy brings a wealth of experience to our business from multiple HR disciplines, including talent management, talent acquisition and employee engagement.”

Thompson added: “We want to be a true leader in our industry, including establishing a best-in-class HR capability to support the growth of our organisation to ensure our culture evolves in line with our values.”