
Rich Hughes
Chief People Officer
About Rich
Rich joined Conexus in 2024 as Chief People Officer, bringing with him almost 20 years of extensive Human Resources experience. His career has spanned international roles with renowned organizations such as Next Retail, Peninsula Consulting, and M247 Telecoms. Notably, Rich served as the Global HR Director at Oliver James, where he successfully led HR initiatives that drove a significant growth strategy in the global staffing sector.
Rich holds a CIPD Level 7 qualification in International HR Management, completed with additional components in International Employment Law in 2014. A highly commercial practitioner, Rich is committed to fostering positive, inclusive, and high-performing organizational cultures. He prioritizes the well-being, growth, and engagement of colleagues, focusing on strategies that attract, retain, and develop diverse talent while ensuring equitable and transparent practices throughout the employee experience.
Rich’s leadership has earned him significant recognition, including Employee Engagement Strategy of the Year (2023), HR Director of the Year (2024), and multiple “Best Places to Work” accolades for the past 5 consecutive years. His passion for collaboration and his dedication to creating environments where individuals thrive are central to his approach as a strategic HR leader.
Location
England

Rich Hughes
Chief People Officer
About Rich
Rich joined Conexus in 2024 as Chief People Officer, bringing with him almost 20 years of extensive Human Resources experience. His career has spanned international roles with renowned organizations such as Next Retail, Peninsula Consulting, and M247 Telecoms. Notably, Rich served as the Global HR Director at Oliver James, where he successfully led HR initiatives that drove a significant growth strategy in the global staffing sector.
Rich holds a CIPD Level 7 qualification in International HR Management, completed with additional components in International Employment Law in 2014. A highly commercial practitioner, Rich is committed to fostering positive, inclusive, and high-performing organizational cultures. He prioritizes the well-being, growth, and engagement of colleagues, focusing on strategies that attract, retain, and develop diverse talent while ensuring equitable and transparent practices throughout the employee experience.
Rich’s leadership has earned him significant recognition, including Employee Engagement Strategy of the Year (2023), HR Director of the Year (2024), and multiple “Best Places to Work” accolades for the past 5 consecutive years. His passion for collaboration and his dedication to creating environments where individuals thrive are central to his approach as a strategic HR leader.
Location
England
Meet More Team Members
Rich Hughes
Chief People Officer
Liz Nesladek
Chief Commercial Officer
Andrew Moreton
Chief Executive Officer
Helen Pearson
Chief Financial Officier
Sarah Vura
Executive VP of Brand Marketing & Communications
Vasco Lopes da Silva
Executive VP of Strategic Global Talent Acquisition
Liliana Mandiuc
International Recruiter
Steffy John
Senior International Recruiter