Karen Gusterson
About Karen Gusterson
Karen Gusterson serves as the Vice President of HR Shared Services at Brambles, where she has worked since 2019. With a background in human resources and extensive experience in employee relations and service optimization, she previously held senior roles at EE, BT, and Orange.
Current Role at Brambles
Karen Gusterson serves as the Vice President of HR Shared Services at Brambles, a position she has held since 2019. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing HR operations and ensuring effective service delivery across the organization. Her leadership focuses on optimizing HR processes and enhancing employee experience. Based in London and Bristol, she has contributed to the strategic direction of HR initiatives within the company.
Previous Experience at EE and BT
Before joining Brambles, Karen Gusterson worked at EE as the Director of HR Services from 2011 to 2016. During her tenure in Bristol, she managed HR operations and contributed to various employee engagement initiatives. Following her time at EE, she served as the Global Shared Services Director at BT from 2016 to 2019, where she led HR service delivery on a global scale, further enhancing her expertise in shared services.
Background in Shared Services at Orange
Karen Gusterson began her career in shared services at Orange, where she held the position of Director of People Support Centre from 2009 to 2011. In this role, she was instrumental in developing and implementing HR strategies that supported employee needs and streamlined operations. Her experience at Orange laid the foundation for her subsequent roles in HR leadership.
Education and Academic Background
Karen Gusterson studied at the University of Oxford from 1986 to 1989, focusing on Politics and Economics. She achieved a degree in Philosophy, which provided her with a strong analytical foundation. This academic background has informed her approach to HR and organizational management throughout her career.
Expertise in Employee Relations and Mergers
Karen Gusterson possesses extensive experience in leading employee relations and managing company-wide re-organization programs. She has a proven track record in service optimization, enhancing both customer and employee experiences. Additionally, she has led her functions through two significant mergers and acquisitions in the UK, demonstrating her capability in navigating complex organizational changes.