Dean Royles' Profile

Dean Royles has been a highly regarded, leading figure in Human Resources (HR) within the NHS for over two decades. He now works independently and provides strategic advice and leadership development to organisations and boards. He is immediate past President of the HPMA. Former Chief Executive of NHS Employers, Dean joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals in 2014 as Executive Director of HR and OD. Other notable positions have included Director of Workforce and Education at NHS Northwest and Deputy Director of Workforce for the NHS in England at the Department of Health. He started his career working in a local authority.

Dean has an MSc in Human Resources. He is former national Chair of the Board of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and was awarded Companionship of the CIPD in 2015. He has an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford for his contribution to health services management.

Dean is a regular conference speaker, has published works in a number of journals, is on the editorial board of HRMJ and the International Journal of Human Resources Development, and provides expert opinion in the national media. His easy style, expertise and high energy approach to HR ensured he was voted UK’s Most Influential HR Practitioner three years running. His book, with Oxford University Press on Human Resource Management was published in February 2018.

Dean is the Senior Independent Director, chairs the People and Organisational Development Board sub-committee and is a member of the Quality Committee, Finance Committee, Mental Health Legislation Committee and the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.  He is also the Wellbeing Guardian and the Freedom to Speak Up NED Champion.