Laura Maddams

Current Position

Head of Talent and Development – Searcys

Previous Position

Head of Recruitment Ivy Collection and Caprice Holdings, Head of Recruitment Good Eating Company, Senior Recruitment Manager, Gattaca, Senior Recruitment Consultant, Reed Hospitality

Bio

With over 15 years of experience in recruitment and people development across the UK and internationally, Laura is Head of Talent & Development at Searcys. Beginning her career in recruitment, she went on to play a pivotal role in the rapid expansion of The Ivy Collection, supporting the opening of over 45 new sites in just four years.

Since joining Searcys, Laura has transitioned into a broader people-focused role, shaping talent strategy, development initiatives, and employee engagement. The People Team at Searcys have recently been recognised with two wins at the 2025 HR in Hospitality Awards, highlighting amazing impact in driving growth, culture, and innovation within the business.

What do you enjoy about working within HR in the hospitality industry

• Supporting people beyond recruitment: Moving into and HR and People role has allowed me to focus not only on bringing great talent into the business but also on what happens next – developing people, shaping careers, and creating environments where they can thrive.
• Driving engagement and culture: In hospitality, culture is everything. I enjoy building initiatives that strengthen engagement, foster belonging, and make people proud to be part of the organisation.
• Championing learning and development: Helping teams gain new skills, progress in their roles, and unlock their potential is one of the most rewarding aspects of HR. Seeing individuals grow from entry-level positions to management is a highlight of working in this industry.

Why I joined the HR in Hospitality team

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Laura Maddams