Rachel Depledge is Head of People and Wellbeing at Star Academies, leading the trust’s people strategy, wellbeing agenda and HR function across its national network of schools. She is responsible for workforce strategy, organisational development, employee wellbeing, recruitment and retention, and the delivery of people initiatives that support high-performing schools and positive outcomes for pupils. Rachel has worked across both the private and public sectors and has extensive experience in education HR. She is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and has led a wide range of strategic and operational people initiatives, including workforce transformation, employee relations, leadership development and organisational change. She is particularly passionate about professional growth, helping colleagues at all levels to develop their skills, fulfil their potential and build rewarding careers in education.