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Lisa Seagroatt of HR Fit for Purpose Celebrates Heroes of Industry Award 2026–2027 in Employee Wellbeing Leadership

Recognised for Excellence in Employee Wellbeing Leadership and a Commitment to Creating Healthier, Happier Workplaces

Lisa Seagroatt, Founder of HR Fit for Purpose, has been recognised with the Heroes of Industry Award in Employee Wellbeing Leadership 2026–2027 by Innervision Global, celebrating her dedication to improving workplace cultures, championing employee wellbeing and helping organisations create environments where people can thrive.

For Lisa, the importance of a healthy workplace is something she understands from personal experience. Having witnessed first-hand the damaging effects of a toxic working environment, she turned a difficult chapter in her own life into a determination to help others avoid similar experiences. That commitment led her to establish HR Fit for Purpose in 2017, a consultancy built around the belief that looking after employees should be a fundamental part of running a successful organisation.

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Since its founding, HR Fit for Purpose has worked with organisations including Victoria Beckham Beauty, the NHS, London Fire Brigade and the Royal School of Speech and Drama, supporting businesses in addressing workplace challenges, strengthening their people practices and creating healthier working cultures.

At the centre of Lisa’s approach is a straightforward belief: people should not have to sacrifice their wellbeing to earn a living. She encourages employers to recognise that positive workplace experiences are not necessarily the result of sweeping organisational changes. Often, smaller improvements in communication, flexibility and the way employees are treated can make a considerable difference.

Speaking about what drives her work, Lisa explains:

“I believe that employment should be ‘enjoyed and not endured’ as we spend so much of our waking time in the workplace. Whilst there are many challenging jobs/work environments out there, you will get the best out of your people if you can ensure they are good places to work. Even the smallest of changes can have a massive impact on workplace wellbeing so I encourage employers to strive to be their best, ensuring their people are ‘thriving, not just surviving’.”

This philosophy has shaped the work of HR Fit for Purpose, where employee wellbeing is viewed as an important part of organisational performance rather than an additional responsibility.

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Lisa believes that when businesses genuinely listen to their employees and take practical steps to improve their working experiences, they can build stronger relationships, improve engagement and create a more positive environment for everyone.

Her understanding of workplace dynamics also comes from the unique position HR professionals occupy within an organisation. Working with employees and leaders at every level provides valuable insight into issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. For Lisa, this access creates an opportunity to identify problems, understand different perspectives and introduce meaningful improvements that benefit both employees and employers.

It is this ability to see an organisation from multiple perspectives that she considers one of the most rewarding aspects of her profession. HR practitioners are often exposed to the everyday experiences of employees as well as the pressures and responsibilities faced by senior leadership. Bringing those perspectives together can help organisations make better-informed decisions about their people.

Lisa’s commitment to workplace improvement extends beyond consultancy work. Her book, Bandits in the Boardroom, draws on her personal experiences and explores the realities of toxic workplace behaviour. By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage greater awareness of the damage unhealthy working cultures can cause and the importance of addressing problems before they become deeply embedded within an organisation.

As workplaces continue to change, Lisa believes employers will need to become increasingly adaptable. The growing influence of artificial intelligence, changing expectations around flexibility and the need to retain talented employees will present new challenges for businesses over the coming decade.

Rather than focusing solely on new technology or workplace policies, she believes employers must maintain strong connections with their people. Open communication, honesty and transparency will be particularly important as employees adjust to changes in their responsibilities and working environments.

A lack of communication can leave employees feeling uncertain and disconnected, potentially contributing to poor engagement, increased absence and higher staff turnover. Lisa encourages businesses to keep employees informed wherever possible, involve them in conversations about workplace changes and recognise the importance of flexibility in supporting both wellbeing and retention.

Alongside helping organisations adapt, Lisa places considerable importance on continuing professional development within HR itself. She recognises that while workplace issues may appear familiar, the circumstances surrounding them are rarely identical. Every situation presents an opportunity to learn, and sharing those experiences among colleagues is essential to improving professional practice.

Through ongoing CIPD membership, training and industry conferences, Lisa and her team remain informed about developments in employment practices and workplace expectations. She also values the practical guidance provided by Acas, particularly its straightforward approach to helping HR professionals navigate the challenges they face.

Her experience as an educator has further strengthened her belief that successful HR professionals need more than technical knowledge. Having taught the Level 5 CIPD qualification at Capital City College, Lisa has encouraged aspiring practitioners to understand the realities of working closely with people, particularly when dealing with challenging or sensitive situations.

“If you don’t like dealing with problem solving and people then step away now! I used to say that all of the time to my HR students when I was teaching the Level 5 CIPD qualification for Capital City College. If you lack patience in dealing with people then people facing HR is NOT for you!”

Behind the humour is an important message about the profession. Effective HR requires patience, empathy, sound judgement and a willingness to deal with difficult conversations. It also requires an understanding that every workplace challenge involves individuals with different experiences, circumstances and needs.

For Lisa, these qualities are essential to building trust and helping organisations move towards healthier working relationships. She remains committed to encouraging employers to take employee wellbeing seriously, while supporting HR professionals in developing the skills and confidence needed to make a positive difference.

Receiving the Heroes of Industry Award in Employee Wellbeing Leadership 2026–2027 recognises Lisa Seagroatt’s contribution to promoting healthier workplace cultures and her commitment to putting people at the centre of organisational success. Through HR Fit for Purpose, her writing and her work within the HR profession, she continues to challenge outdated attitudes towards workplace wellbeing and demonstrate why creating a supportive working environment matters.

Her journey is a reminder that difficult personal experiences can become a powerful motivation for change. What began as a determination to prevent others from experiencing the harm of a toxic workplace has developed into a professional mission centred on helping businesses become better places to work.

As organisations navigate an increasingly complex employment landscape, Lisa’s message remains clear: workplaces perform at their best when their people are supported, respected and given the opportunity to thrive.

Contact HR Fit for Purpose

Phone: +20 3 8465637

Email: info@hrfitforpurpose.co.uk

Website: www.hrfitforpurpose.co.uk