Gott – a former government economist – joined Hawksmoor as its first HR director in 2012 and designed the HR infrastructure that has supported the growth of the restaurant group from 150 employees to more than 1,200 across four different countries.
Commenting on her departure on LinkedIn, Hawksmoor co-founder Will Beckett noted that in each of the 13 years Gott was at the business, it was named one of the UK’s Best Companies to work for.
“Even as the business has grown, 98% of employees still say they share Hawksmoor’s values, and 97% believe the company truly welcomes everyone. It’s impossible to overstate Ceri’s role in that,” he said.
Gott had been focused on developing the next generation of Hawksmoor leaders, as well as growing its own people and purpose functions, with Gemma Eley, people director for UK and Ireland, heading up the team alongside Dona Costa, VP HR at Hawksmoor US; Emma Horsley, head of culture; and Katy Ellwood, head of purpose.
Beckett added: “It’s a real vote of her confidence in these teams, and the great shape the business is in in the key areas of customer experience, teams, purpose and financials that we are focusing on this year, that, after 13 years, Ceri feels that she can now move out of a front seat in the business.
“She will handover to leaders in Hawksmoor and support them to step up and continue their great work.”