Barratt Developments has appointed Sally Austin its new group HR director, becoming a member of the Barratt executive committee and reporting to chief executive David Thomas.
Austin will continue the people strategy for Barratt, prioritising diversity and inclusion, engagement, talent management, and employee health and wellbeing in particular.
She joins from Wincanton, where she was chief people officer from 2019 to 2023. Prior to that, she was group HR director for construction and engineering firm Costain Group. Austin has previously held HR director positions in the retail, energy and financial services sectors and began her career in HR at BAE Systems and Eaton Corporation, where she held HR roles across Europe, Middle East and Africa. She is also chair of Warwick Schools Foundation.
Austin said: “I am delighted to be joining Barratt. It’s clear the business has strong values and a positive culture, created by great people across the UK. I’m looking forward to developing its people strategy, creating an environment where everyone can excel.”
Thomas added: “Sally is an extremely experienced and talented HR director. Her experience spanning logistics, engineering and construction complements housebuilding well and as we manage the current downturn in the market Sally helps strengthen our team for us to continue as the country’s leading housebuilder.”