Viapath strengthens executive team with new Director of Human Resources and Communications

Viapath LLP is delighted to announce a key addition to its executive leadership team with the appointment of Lesley Sommerville to the newly created position of Director of Human Resources and Communications, reporting to Richard Jones, Chief Executive Officer.

As a Board level Group Human Resources Director, Lesley brings a valuable and crucial mix of public and private sector expertise to this dynamic and growing organisation. She will lead the Human resources, Marketing, Internal and External Communications functions of Viapath, complementing  Viapath’ s existing executive team as the company continues to grow and drive the business forward together with delivering on its vision  to be the leading provider of innovative pathology solutions.

Lesley joins Viapath LLP after a highly successful career at one of the world’s leading media groups Trinity Mirror Plc where she led Human Resources across all national, regional and digital operations.  During this time Lesley steered the company through a transformation of unprecedented scale and complexity. The people agenda was pivotal in underpinning the company’s transformation from a largely siloed print centric business to a 24/7 multiplatform digitally focussed company with significant global reach.

Previous to Trinity Mirror, Lesley held the position of Human Resources Director at Babcock International Plc and lead hugely successful HR teams in both Tesco Plc and Scottish Power Plc (now Iberdrola). Lesley drove the people and change agendas which saw significant growth for both companies in UK and International markets.

Lesley Sommerville said: “I am delighted to have joined this dynamic, growing and unique company and leading the people, communications and marketing agendas to take the company to the next level. I have seen first hand in my personal life what a difference the services provided by top quality staff like ours can make to the lives of people in all sectors of our society.

The company’s ambitious programme of growth and change in the business is underpinned by a strong emphasis on its values and an extraordinary dedication to employee engagement and talent management.”

Lesley is passionate about her work with Opportunity Now and the Princes Trust and has recently been voted on to the HR Most Influential 2014 Making Waves list by a panel of industry experts. This prestigious award recognises inspiring leadership in people strategy.