Sally Hopper is the director of HR at Hertfordshire County Council where she leads on all aspects of people management for a diverse workforce of over 8,000 staff. During her time in this role her priorities have been diversity and inclusion, where staff can bring their whole self to work.

Hopper’s work was dominated in 2020 by supporting and deploying the workforce in response to Covid-19. In 2022 she was recognised as one of HR Most Influential Public sector by HR magazine and in recent years she has been researching organisational change and the behaviours and ethical considerations that emerge for those caught up in the change.

She is very committed to apprenticeships and views them as a key enabler to social mobility and bridging the skills gap. She is a trustee of the London Playing Fields Foundation with a lifetime love of Epping Forest and environmental issues, including recognising the importance of open/green spaces on mental health and wellbeing.