Steph

Steph Johnson is Xiatech’s Chief People Officer, where she leads the organisation’s people strategy, shaping a high-performance, people-first culture that enables the business to scale and succeed. A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (FCIPD), Steph brings a strategic and commercial approach to building inclusive, engaged, and high-impact teams.

In her role, Steph is responsible for the full people agenda, including talent acquisition and workforce planning, organisational design, leadership development, employee engagement and experience, learning and development, reward and recognition, employee relations, internal communications, and diversity, equity and inclusion. She also oversees performance and progression frameworks, people analytics, and ensures the company remains compliant, resilient, and aligned with best practice as it grows.

Steph is passionate about creating environments where people can do their best work while feeling supported and valued. She partners closely with the rest of the executive team to align people strategy with business objectives, driving both cultural and commercial outcomes. Under her leadership, Xiatech has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces by Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, reflecting a strong and consistent commitment to employee experience and culture.

Her passion for people began during a decade in the NHS, where she developed a strong foundation in service, empathy, and operational delivery. Prior to joining Xiatech, Steph held roles across technology recruitment, employee engagement, and internal communications, giving her a well-rounded perspective across the employee lifecycle.

Outside of work, Steph enjoys property renovation and interior design, and is always planning her next trip in the sunshine—ideally with an Aperol Spritz in hand.