Ronald Schellekens, Group HR director, Vodafone

HR Most Influential 2012 Practitioner - position 22

"Changing the shape and value of HR in the business"

"Excellent on competence"

Schellekens heads the HR function of the world’s largest mobile communications companies by revenue, operating across the globe with equity interests in more than 30 countries and 40 partner markets worldwide. The group employs over 90,000 people and operates in various geographic regions – Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific – and has an investment in Verizon Wireless in the US. This number has now increased by 6,500 employees with the acquisition of Cable & Wireless in August and Schellekens is working on ensuring the smooth integration of the workforce.

 Schellekens joined Vodafone and the executive committee in January 2009. In addition to Vodafone’s human resources management remit, he is also responsible for Vodafone’s global real estate and facilities management, as well as group health, safety and wellbeing. He is a trustee of the Vodafone Foundation and a member of the main board of Vodacom, an African mobile communications company, majority-owned by Vodafone and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Schellekens joined Vodafone from Royal Dutch Shell, where for six years he was executive vice president human resources for its global Downstream division, with more than 80,000 employees in 120 countries. Downstream is Shell’s division responsible for refining and chemical manufacturing, shipping as well as all its commercial businesses, for example, retail, fuels, lubricants and trading. In addition to his Downstream role, he was responsible for Shell Canada HR including the Canadian Oil Sands mining division.

Prior to working for Shell, he spent nine years working for PepsiCo in various international senior human resources roles, including assignments in Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, the UK and Poland. In his last role he was responsible for the Europe, Middle East & Africa region for PepsiCo Foods International. Prior to PepsiCo, he worked for nine years for AT&T Network Systems in human resources roles in the Netherlands and Poland.

Schellekens has a bachelor degree in human resources management, and a master’s degree in management and organisation from TiasNimbas Business School. He is a Dutch national, enjoys running, fitness, skiing and spending time with his family and dog Byron.

HR Most Influential 2011 Practitioner - position 21