Rachel Farley
Rachel Farley

Rachel Farley

Partner

Expertise

Co-authored by Rachel
First-Time Chief People Officer Guide - 2026 Update

As we experience the greatest economic, social, geopolitical and technological upheavals since World War II, having the right leaders, in the right place, leading in the right way is paramount—yet the single biggest barrier to delivering organizations' ambitions is having insufficient talent to navigate unprecedented challenges.

Overview

Rachel Farley is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ London office and a member of the global Human Resources Officers Practice. She specializes in future-focused human resources leaders driving strategic and commercial value as businesses address the world’s technological, environmental, and social challenges.

Experience

Rachel focuses on senior-level human resources talent across all industries and organizational ownership structures. Roles include, chief people officers and their HR business partners, heads of talent and talent acquisition, heads of organizational development, chief learning officers, heads of reward, heads of people analytics, heads of culture & DEI, and more. 

Rachel is also a professional coach in the Executive Coaching Practice and is trained to deliver Heidrick & Struggles’ proprietary Leadership Assessment Framework.

Rachel has lived and worked in London, Singapore, Tokyo, and New York. In 2001, she began her career in digital marketing based in London, before moving to Asia and subsequently to New York to recruit Digital talent. 

Education

Meyler Campbell, Qualification in Executive Leadership and Business Coaching, Accredited by the EMCC

University of Manchester, BA in History of Art and Architecture

Philanthropy and Service

Rachel is the co-lead of Heidrick & Struggles’ Women’s Inclusion Network in Europe & Africa. She is a qualified mental health first aider. 

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