Clifford Chance braces to welcome new strategic leadership for People and Talent

Clifford Chance braces to welcome new strategic leadership for People and Talent

The multinational law firm is set to induct Grant Elders and Chinwe Odimba-Chapman to develop and implement an ambitious strategy

Clifford Chance, the London-headquartered multinational law firm, has announced the induction of two key persons to give shape to its ambitious strategy and agendas.

Grant Eldred will join as Chief People Officer and Chinwe Odimba-Chapman as Global Partner for Talent in two newly created positions, Clifford Chance announced on 25 February 2021. The duo will replace Laura King, the incumbent Global Head of People and Talent, who is set to retire soon after a glorious inning with the firm.

Grant, a highly experienced senior HR leader and currently Global Head of HR Transformation at Goldman Sachs, will join Clifford Chance in April. He will sit on the firm's global Executive Operations Group and focus on the development and implementation of an ambitious People strategy for the firm as well as heading the global HR function.

Chinwe who has been with Clifford Chance for nearly 20 years, will join the firm's Executive Leadership Group as Global Partner for Talent. She brings extensive expertise as a highly regarded employment partner and experience as a change agent for inclusion.

Both Grant and Chinwe will work closely with Tiernan Brady, Global Head of Inclusion, to deliver against the firm's determined and progressive global People and Inclusion agendas.

"Laura has done a phenomenal job over the past 13 years, leading our People and Talent strategies and helping to transform our thinking and processes in this area. We are extremely grateful for the huge contribution she has made to the firm. As we look to the future and continue to invest in our most important asset, our people, we have put in place new leadership that will enable us to deliver on our ambitious People, Talent and Inclusion strategies today and into the years to come," Clifford Chance Global Managing Partner Matthew Layton said.

"I'm delighted to see Grant join the firm in this critical leadership role. Our global People strategy includes significant industry leading commitments and, following his hugely successful tenure at Goldman Sachs and deep HR leadership experience, we look forward to Grant helping us to set new standards for excellence in our sector.

"I'm also delighted to welcome Chinwe onto the ELG as Global Partner for Talent. Chinwe is fantastically well placed to add value in this role, and will bring the challenge and fresh perspectives that will enrich our strategic decision-making," Matthew Layton added.

Grant Eldred was associated with Goldman Sachs for 15 years in several global leadership roles. Grant's most recent roles included leading the global HR Transformation program, managing HR infrastructure and directing the business through Brexit. He has spent three years in Bengaluru as the Chief People Officer of Goldman Sachs' business in India, during a period of significant business growth and innovation and has also held leadership roles in Reward, Benefits and Wellness in London and New York.

"Clifford Chance has made huge strides on its global People strategy and has demonstrated leadership, growth, innovation and undeterred ambitions in complex environments. I look forward to leading on Clifford Chance's People agenda and working alongside Chinwe, Tiernan and the firm's wider leadership groups across the globe," Grant Eldred commented.

Chinwe Odimba-Chapman said: "For all businesses, talent and culture is now one of the most important levers for organisational success. Navigating the complexity of generational shifts, technology, regulation and the fast-advancing ESG agenda has become even more challenging with Covid. To achieve our vision, and as a leading professional services firm, we have to confront these issues and ensure questions about people and culture sit at the heart of all we do. I am proud to have the opportunity to help drive this agenda at Clifford Chance."

Clifford Chance is ranked among the world top 10 global law firms and is a member of the Magic Circle.