Gill Hardy

Head of Executive Talent, EMEA

Gill Hardy is a transformative force in marketing, consistently shattering barriers and forging pathways for women with unparalleled vision and dedication. With over two decades of experience, including co-founding a successful executive search firm, serving as MD at Hill & Knowlton Strategies, and driving strategic communications at Unilever, Gill's perspective equips her to foster impactful organisational change. Now, as Head of Executive Talent EMEA and WPP's inaugural Ambassador for Women, she champions a holistic approach to nurturing diverse talent, ensuring equitable growth at every level.

Her indelible mark on gender equality is evidenced through her pioneering leadership of the WPP Stella initiative. Co-founded in 2014, Stella spans 11 chapters around the world, systematically enhancing women's visibility, providing Learning & Development, and addressing systemic biases. Stella is now open to everyone. Gill's advocacy has supported measurable, transformative results: a reduction in the UK gender pay gap to 20.5%, while 54% of Senior Managers and 42% of Executive Leaders are women globally. Her efforts to build a sustainable female talent pipeline has propelled WPP to #16 position in the FTSE Women Leaders Review 2025. Beyond the quantifiable achievements, Gill is a passionate mentor, actively "unearthing the hidden gems" in countless women's careers. Her philosophy, coupled with her recognition as an Involve Heroes Role Model three years running, and frequent keynote speaker, demonstrates her extraordinary allyship. Gill embodies the visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and tangible impact that inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders, setting an irrefutable standard for excellence.