Meet your People Team!

Message from Ali Finn, Head of People and Culture 

As a newly formed team, we’re proud to be building strong foundations together, bringing a mix of fresh ideas, energy, and experience to support everyone across the Affinia Group. While some of us are new to the business and others have grown into new roles, we’re united by a shared purpose to create a positive, inclusive, supportive and engaging experience for all of our people. 

We’re here to provide advice and support you through every stage of your journey with us.  From onboarding and career development to wellbeing, policies and day to day queries – we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re not sure who to speak to, need a bit of guidance, or want to find out what’s changing in our people processes, we’re always happy to help. 

Read on to get to know a little more about who we are, what we do, how we can support you and how to get in touch. Alternatively, please email peopleteam@affinia.co.uk. 

Ali Finn, Head of People & Culture – (MCIPD – Chartered Member) 

I lead our People strategy across Affinia, working closely with leadership and managers to create a culture where everyone can thrive. I’m here to ensure our people policies, processes, learning and development opportunities are aligned with our values and future growth. As well as being responsible for our people team, you’ll often find me involved in strategic projects, cultural initiatives like RIALTO Committee and DE&I, and supporting our leaders across the firm through change. 

Ask me about: leadership development, career progression, DE&I, culture, change management, integration or any other people related matters. 

Fun fact: I always knew I was bound for an office-based career.  When I was a young teenager, I had many trips to Guys Hospital and as my Mum worked in London at the time, I went back to the office where she worked as a Secretary and attempted to assist her with many admin tasks. This gave me great early experience learning about the office environment. A few years later my mum got me an interview at TSB Group Head Office, where I was fortunate enough to be offered my first role in HR. The rest is history! 

Clare Wilson, People Operations Manager (CIPD Level 5 Associate / Part Level 7) 

I make sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly—from payroll and benefits to HR systems and compliance. I manage the People Team and also lead on key operational changes, such as HRIS implementation, our apprenticeship scheme and company benefits, as well as supporting our acquisitions. My role is all about keeping things running efficiently so you have the best possible employee experience.

Ask me about:  Policies and procedures, CezanneHR, employee relations and day to day operational people related matters.

Fun fact: I started my career as an Accounts Junior studying AAT but discovered later in that journey that my passion lay within working with people rather than numbers. I always like to challenge myself, from climbing UK mountains, riding the fastest zip line in Europe (longest in the world) to a tandem skydive – this year I walked the longest highwire infinity bridge 1000ft up across the Lake District slate mines. 

Daisy Warner, Senior People Advisor – (CIPD Level 5 – Associate) 

As Senior People Advisor, I support managers and employees across Affinia with anything related to day-to-day people matters. This includes employee relations, wellbeing support, absence management, employee metrics and coaching managers through tricky or sensitive issues. I’m here to help make sure everyone feels heard, supported and empowered. 

I am passionate about DE&I and look forward to being a RIALTO Committee member to help drive the initiative forwards. I believe in empowering our people to reach their potential by working on our People Strategy to drive positive change in the business as we continue to grow. 

Ask me about: Sickness absence, performance concerns, family leave, or anything people-related that you’re not sure how to approach. 

Fun fact: In my own time I raise money for Autism UK, Dementia UK, SUDEP (related to Epilepsy UK), and Cancer Research UK. Also, despite having a fear of flying (and forcing myself to go abroad), I am due to fly a light aircraft this summer bought as a gift for my recent 40th birthday – it’s supposed to help! 

Megan Farrell, People Advisor – (CIPD Level 5 – Associate) 

As a People Advisor at Affinia, I’m here to support both managers and employees with anything related to day-to-day people matters. I’m usually based at Stratford three days a week, but I also travel to other offices when needed, including Orpington, Sidcup, Harlow, and Sutton. I help with employee relations, wellbeing support, absence management, and coaching managers through tricky or sensitive situations. My goal is to ensure everyone feels valued and included at Affinia, by supporting individuals in their professional growth and opportunities.  

Ask me about: probation periods, appraisals, sickness absence, performance concerns, family leave, career development, or any other people-related questions or challenges you may have.  

Fun fact: I have a twin brother and later this year I’ll be marrying an identical twin. And no, my brother and I aren’t telepathic!  

Drew Moody, People Administrator (CIPD Level 3 – Foundation) 

I work alongside Fiona in processing a wide range of administrative tasks efficiently, to help maintain the smooth operations of the People Team. Day to day, I’m involved in processing contracts, onboarding our new employees, managing leavers, references, CezanneHR implementation and supporting the wider team on projects and data reporting. I am often your first port of call for general queries or updates to your records.  

I have recently qualified in the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice and look forward to putting this knowledge to practice within my role at Affinia. As well as this, I enjoy keeping on top of employment law by regularly attending employment law updates. 

Ask me about: Contracts, changes to personal details, onboarding documents, or CezanneHR queries.  

Fun fact: Before I joined Affinia, I went travelling across Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam for three months! It was a once in a lifetime experience and I even got to swim with (or I should say swim away from!) baby sharks in the Phi Phi Islands.  

Fiona O’Connell, People Administrator (Studying CIPD Level 3 – Foundation) 

I’m part of the engine room that keeps our People processes running smoothly. Working alongside Drew, my responsibilities are onboarding our new starters, supporting our People Advisors, assisting our colleagues in the firm with general people related enquiries and supporting the wider team on key projects as well as data reporting.   

I’ve just started my CIPD Level 3 course, and I’m really excited about how it will enhance my career.  

Ask me about: onboarding, leaver processes, employee changes, where to find help in CezanneHR and day to day HR enquiries. 

Fun fact: I’m really passionate about running—it’s my main hobby right now. So far, I’ve completed two half marathons this year and fundraising for charity, and I’m aiming to finish the year with a full marathon! 

Harriet Griffiths, Group Head of Talent Acquisition 

I lead the talent acquisition strategies for Affinia, focussing on attracting professionals who align with our high standards and growth ambitions. I work collaboratively with Directors, Heads of Departments and Managers to ensure Affinia’s vision, growth and talent acquisition is achieved, communicating to the market both directly and via our recruitment agency partners. Whether we’re growing teams, hiring for specialist roles, or thinking about long-term talent pipelines, I’m here to help bring in amazing talented people who’ll thrive in our culture and be part of our strategic growth plans. 

Ask me about: Recruitment, job adverts, job descriptions, interview planning, LinkedIn, Recommend a Friend or support with growing your team. 

Fun fact: I started my recruitment and HR journey with the fast-food chain McDonalds back in 2001, recruiting crew for over 50 stores from initial sourcing of the application to interview, to offer. On my very first day, I slipped over, knocked myself unconscious and broke my wrist – not a great start to my career but thankfully nearly 25 years later, I am still in a role I love, and one slip did not stop me following a career of my dreams to work with people. 

Naomi Bignold, People Consultant 

I’ve joined Affinia’s People team to help shape and deliver the people-focused projects that will positively impact everyone at Affinia, both current and future employees, as we continue to grow rapidly as an organisation. An example of this is collaborating with the service line heads and their directors to create job descriptions for each service line and level, along with core competencies and behaviours, so everyone is clear on their career path. You can usually find me in the Stratford or Chelmsford offices.

Ask me about: talent mapping, performance management, appraisals, employee relations, L&D, TUPE, grievances, employer/ee branding, line management, culture, career planning. 

Fun fact: I love travelling and experiencing other countries and cultures and have been very lucky to see a lot of the world. I went travelling solo for almost a year aged 30, and after I got married later in my 30s, my husband and I both went to live and work in China for two years (my Mandarin is very basic, but I can still count to ten!)