Head of Talent and Capability, Motability Operations
The Client
Motability Operations is a purpose-led organisation with a complex remit: overseeing the delivery of the Motability Scheme, supporting hundreds of thousands of disabled people across the UK. As expectations around capability, leadership depth and future-ready skills continued to rise, the organisation recognised that its approach to talent needed to evolve. Growth ambitions, regulatory scrutiny and a strong social mission were putting new demands on leaders and teams alike.
While the culture was values-driven and highly committed, there was a clear opportunity to bring greater coherence to how talent, learning and leadership capability were developed across the business.
The Requirement
Motability Operations sought a Head of Talent and Capability who could modernise its approach without losing sight of its human purpose. This was not a purely technical HR role. The organisation needed a leader who could build confidence with senior stakeholders, translate strategy into practical capability frameworks and create momentum around long-term workforce planning.
The brief called for someone able to balance structure with empathy. They would need the credibility to operate at executive level, alongside the emotional intelligence to engage teams navigating change. Strengthening leadership pipelines, embedding inclusive development pathways and ensuring future skills readiness were all central to success.
The Solution
Novo worked closely with Motability Operations’ senior leaders to shape a clear, people-centred brief. Time was spent understanding both the strategic challenges ahead and the cultural nuances that made the organisation distinctive.
Our search approach focused on identifying senior talent leaders with experience in complex, regulated or mission-driven environments. We looked beyond titles, placing strong emphasis on leadership mindset, influence style and the ability to turn concepts into sustained organisational practice.
Our process included:
- Mapping senior talent and capability leaders across regulated, service-led and purpose-driven sectors
- Assessing experience in enterprise capability frameworks, leadership development and succession planning
- Exploring candidates’ ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery
- Testing for cultural alignment, stakeholder empathy and credibility at board and executive levels
The Outcome
Novo appointed a Head of Talent and Capability who quickly established trust and momentum. They brought clarity to the talent agenda, connected capability priorities to business strategy and helped leaders see development as an enabler rather than an overhead.
Early impact was felt across leadership development, succession planning and learning design. Teams reported greater clarity and consistency, while senior leaders gained confidence in the organisation’s long-term talent pipeline.
Motability Operations is now better equipped to grow, adapt and continue delivering on its mission, supported by a talent and capability function that feels purposeful, connected and future-focused.
