Welcome back to another episode of HR Insights: The Podcast. Today, our CEO and Host, Stuart Elliott , is joined by Claire Butler , a strategic HR leader with extensive experience across global markets, to explore one of the most talked-about roles making a comeback in today’s market, the Chief of Staff. Together, they unpack what the Chief of Staff role really entails, why it’s re-emerging as a critical strategic function, and how it serves as a bridge between leadership, operations, and culture. Claire shares her personal journey transitioning from HR into the Chief of Staff role, offering honest reflections on both the opportunities and challenges that come with it. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the key skills that define a successful Chief of Staff, why demand for this position is rising again, and practical advice for both employers hiring for the role and professionals considering it as their next career step. About Claire Butler: Claire Butler is a strategic and results-driven HR leader with a strong commercial mindset and a proven track record in driving organisational transformation and HR excellence across global markets. With experience spanning the UK, Europe, the US, and Asia, Claire brings deep expertise in employment frameworks, cultural integration, and HR programme design and delivery. Passionate about innovation, people, and performance, she is driven by creating enthusiasm, inspiring others, and helping organisations achieve lasting results. Key Timestamps: 01:40 – Introduction to Claire Butler 04:40 – What is a Chief of Staff? 07:31 – What skills make up the Chief of Staff role? 09:48 – Key skills to excel as a Chief of Staff 12:25 – Why Chief of Staff roles are back in trend 17:48 – Pros & cons of being a Chief of Staff 20:42 – Main challenges of the role 26:54 – Hints and tips for success in the role 28:32 – Strategic or operational? 29:41 – Advice for those considering the role You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn . Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen!
