Chief People Officer

Kathryn Al-Shemmeri

Biography

Kathryn Al-Shemmeri was appointed as the Chief People Officer in the Cabinet Office in September 2022.

Kathryn leads the Cabinet Office People and Places directorate and has responsibility for Cabinet Office 2025, the department’s Transformation Programme with its strong focus on people, skills, L&D, and recognition, which are core to developing a better, skilled and high performing Cabinet Office.

Kathryn reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer for the Cabinet Office and is strategic people partner to the Permanent Secretaries across the Cabinet Office group.

Kathryn joined the Civil Service Fast Stream in July 2002 and has held a number of roles within the Cabinet Office, Civil Service Human Resources, HM Revenue and Customs, and HM Treasury.

Kathryn attended Victoria College Belfast, and graduated in Modern History with Politics from The Queen’s University, Belfast.

Kathryn is married with two children.

Chief People Officer

The director is responsible for HR in the Cabinet Office and oversees:

  • Delivery of HR services (including a shared service model for employee and line manager transactions and casework)
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Workforce planning
  • Resourcing
  • Employee relations and HR policy
  • Reward
  • Developing capability and talent

Cabinet Office