CEO of Disruptive HR, Former HR Director of the BBC, Former Group HR Director for Serco & Bestselling Author of HR: Disrupted
Lucy Adams’ Biography:
Lucy Adams is one of the UK’s most respected voices in modern leadership and human resources. She is the CEO and founder of Disruptive HR, a consultancy she launched in 2014 to challenge outdated people practices and help organisations take a more human, adaptable approach to managing their people. Her work combines strategic insight with practical solutions, enabling leaders to build cultures that thrive on trust, flexibility and innovation. Through Disruptive HR, Lucy has advised global brands and public bodies on how to attract, develop and retain talent in fast-changing environments.
Alongside her work with Disruptive HR, Lucy was also the Director of Firehouse Productions Ltd, an award-winning communications agency that creates immersive brand experiences through live events, film and digital media. Her experience in storytelling and engagement through Firehouse complements her HR expertise, reflecting her belief that effective leadership is built on connection and communication.
Before founding her own businesses, Lucy served as HR Director at the BBC, reporting directly to the Director-General. She played a central role in reshaping the Corporation’s structure and culture during a period of major change. Her achievements included restructuring the BBC Executive Board, leading the creation of BBC North and the new multi-media newsroom in London, and overseeing people plans for the 2012 London Olympics. She also implemented reforms to executive pay and pensions and reduced management numbers by over 30%, helping the BBC lower its cost base by 20% while maintaining its creative output.
Lucy’s earlier career built the foundations for her leadership in HR transformation. As HR Director at Eversheds, she redesigned the firm’s people strategy and led a firm-wide restructure to navigate the economic downturn. At Serco, she rose from HR Director of Serco Rail to Group HR Director, overseeing operations across over 30 countries. There, she implemented global people strategies and redefined executive remuneration frameworks to align with business goals. Her career began in strategy and business development roles, equipping her with the commercial insight that continues to shape her approach to modern HR.
Why Hire Lucy Adams?
Lucy Adams is a sought-after keynote speaker who challenges the way organisations think about leadership and people management. Drawing on her experience as the BBC’s former HR Director and CEO of Disruptive HR, she encourages HR professionals and business leaders to move beyond outdated practices and adopt bold, practical approaches that truly engage their people. Her keynotes are known for being jargon-free, direct and thought-provoking, combining real-world insight with humour and candour. Lucy has delivered talks to audiences around the world, including at Google, Emirates, Marks & Spencer and KPMG. She connects deeply with leaders who want to build workplaces that are agile, human and effective.
As the author of the bestselling books HR Disrupted and The HR Change Toolkit, Lucy brings her ideas to life with clear frameworks and memorable examples. Whether speaking on leadership, communication or engagement, she offers audiences practical ways to lead with empathy and adapt to change with confidence. Her talks leave listeners inspired to modernise their people strategies and confident in their ability to make work better for everyone.
Lucy Adams’ Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that have defined Lucy Adams’ career in leadership and human resources:
- 2025 – Named on a major industry list recognising HR professionals as “most influential” in July 2025
- 2014 – Founded Disruptive HR to help organisations modernise their people strategies with fresh, practical approaches
- 2014 – Became Director of Firehouse Productions Ltd, creating award-winning live and digital brand experiences
- 2009 – Appointed HR Director at the BBC, leading major cultural and structural transformation across the organisation
- 2012 – Delivered the people strategy for BBC North, the new London newsroom, and the BBC’s 2012 Olympic coverage, achieving a 20% cost reduction and a 30% cut in management numbers
- 2008 – Joined Eversheds as HR Director, leading a firm-wide restructure and embedding a new people strategy
- 2004 – Promoted to Group HR Director at Serco, overseeing global HR operations in 30+ countries and introducing new executive remuneration frameworks
- 1999 – Appointed HR Director of Serco Rail, developing and delivering the company’s HR strategy
- Published – Authored the bestselling books HR Disrupted and The HR Change Toolkit, establishing herself as a leading voice in modern HR
Videos
Lucy Adams’ Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Lucy spoke at an internal HR event for our senior management team and left a lasting impression, for all the right reasons. She spoke with honesty and humour about the challenges the HR profession faces and gave really practical examples of how we can change this. What can be quite a tough audience was visibly energised after her presentation, and even now, a couple of months on, Lucy’s session is still talked about. If you’re after an engaging and hugely experienced HR professional who’s a brilliant speaker and great to work with, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lucy.” – Lucy, Head of Internal Communications, Strategy & Planning, BT
“You were fantastic! The levels of enthusiasm, engagement and participation from the audience were unprecedented with this group. I found you insightful, educational, & inspirational.” – Deloitte
“Lucy’s contribution to the Convention was invaluable and left a positive and lasting impact on the conference attendees – her presence was a highlight of the event for many.” – Australian HR Institute
“Lucy was absolutely brilliant. She lifted the energy in the room and had people buzzing afterwards.” – BT
“Lucy spoke at one of our recent HR Community events, and she was passionate, entertaining and most importantly engaged with the audience of HR Professionals in a way that was fresh and very thought-provoking.” – Belinda, Employee Relations Lead, Accenture
“I invited Lucy to address a corporate dinner for Business Leaders, and I have to say she ticked every box. Her personality is exceptionally warm, positive, and most of all engaging. The aspect of Lucy’s talk that will stick with me is that she obviously knows her subject matter; She talks passionately from experience and finds a perfect balance of professionalism, humour and relevance. She’s thought-provoking and dynamic in her opinions, and quite clearly very well-positioned to talk to Business Leaders. I expect every aspect of her business life will be successful if she adopts the approach to Commerce as she does to Public Speaking. She’s obviously a very unique and exceptional professional, and I would recommend her without question. If you have the opportunity to spend time in her company, you’ll find it hugely beneficial.” – Sebastian, Sales & Marketing Professional
Topics
Lucy Adams’ Official Keynote Topics:
- How to Get & Retain the Best Talent
- The Perfect People Strategy
- How to Create More Agility & Innovation
- People Leadership in a Post-Pandemic Workplace
- New HR Skills & Mindsets
- Retention, Development & Remuneration
- Leadership for the Future Workplace
- Department Management
- Leading in a Disrupted World
- Goodbye to Annual Appraisals
- Preventing a Bullying Culture
- Leadership & Teamwork
- Delivering Real Change
- Personal Resilience
- When Power Corrupts
- Making Change Happen
- How to Create Consumer-Grade Employee Experience
How Much Does Lucy Adams Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Lucy Adams?
The cost of hiring Lucy Adams depends on factors such as your event requirements, whether it’s in-person or virtual, and any travel or accommodation needs. To receive an accurate quote, contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.