Zapgo Website

Head of People

Candidate Briefing — Zapgo

This appointment is being managed exclusively by Practicus, one of the UK's leading management consulting and executive recruitment firms specialising in the clean energy and high-growth technology sector.


ABOUT ZAPGO — Overview

Smart Strategy in a High-Growth Market

"While many Charge Point Operators engage in unsustainable land grabs, Zapgo has taken a radically smarter path — securing multi-site portfolios across underserved, semi-rural locations, with a fierce focus on destination charging. Our live sites are consistently hitting their utilisation targets, proving our commercial model works while our competitors struggle."

Strategy at a Glance

  • Backed by a pension fund — highly accountable growth business
  • Securing multi-site portfolios of 5–20 sites at once
  • Focused on destination charging (30 min–4 hr dwell time)
  • Live sites consistently hitting utilisation targets
  • ~£70M fundraise targeted within 6 months
  • Team scaling from ~30 to ~60 people over 18 months
CONTEXT TO THE ROLE

The Catalyst: A Cultural Reset


"We are searching for a Head of People who inherently understands that their primary mandate is to protect and represent the company's interests. We need a proactive, commercially astute leader who can spot friction before it becomes a formal problem — someone with the emotional intelligence to resolve issues informally, inoculating the business against future complaints."

To navigate this hyper-growth phase, Zapgo needs a cultural reset. Historically, the HR function was overly employee-focused, which resulted in administrative missteps and a frustrating increase in grievances that consumed vital management time. This role exists to professionalise the people function, embed a high-performance culture, and ensure the business scales with rigour and accountability.

THE ROLE

Key Responsibilities

Operating as a standalone "team of one," initially reporting to the General Counsel with the potential to report directly to the CEO, this role carries a true dual mandate: high-level strategic advisory work alongside unglamorous, hands-on operational delivery. You will balance both without resistance.

Strategic Advisory to ExCo

Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Committee, guiding senior leaders with confidence and commercial judgement on all people-related matters.

Cultural Reset & Embedding

Drive a high-performance, accountable, and "professional services-esque" culture that is still fundamentally fun — reviewing and finessing the staff handbook and refining policies.

Talent Acquisition & Scaling

Lead and manage the end-to-end hiring process as Zapgo doubles its headcount from ~30 to ~60 people over the next 18 months, ensuring quality and cultural fit at every stage.

Employment Law & Risk Management

Apply strong working knowledge of UK employment law to protect the business. Know exactly when to leverage the General Counsel's budget for specialist legal advice.

HR Operations & Administration

Handle the full breadth of people operations: administering payroll elements, managing sick leave, overseeing family-friendly leaves, and rigorously taking notes during appraisal and probation meetings.

Employee Relations & Informal Resolution

Proactively spot friction before it becomes a formal problem — resolving issues informally and effectively to protect management time and maintain a positive, high-trust environment.

THE PERSON

The Human Element: The "Unicorn" Profile

We are looking for a highly specific blend of experience and character. This is not a conventional HR appointment — it requires someone who brings the structure of a corporate background, the agility of a start-up operator, and the commercial sharpness to understand that nothing is bigger than the business. Battle scars are welcome; corporate waffle is not.

Zapgo Culture Fit

You are authentic, resilient, and a straight-talker with a visceral aversion to "CV word salad." You can discuss past mistakes with humility and bring a company-first commercial mindset to every people decision you make.

The Ideal Background

You bring the professionalisation and structured thinking of a medium-to-large corporate, combined with a proven track record of helping a start-up navigate the messy, ambiguous journey of scaling. CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 (or equivalent) is required, alongside strong UK employment law knowledge.

MEASURE OF SUCCESS

What "Good" Looks Like at 12 Months

Success in this role is measurable — you will have demonstrably reduced informal and formal grievances, embedded a high-performance culture, supported the scaling of the business, and established yourself as a trusted member of the senior leadership group with a pathway to the ExCo.

HOUSEKEEPING

Package, Location & Logistics

Remuneration & Benefits

  • Base Salary: £100,000 – £120,000
  • Contract: Permanent, full-time
  • Progression: Tangible pathway to ExCo


Location & Ways of Working

You will be based in Zapgo's vibrant Central London headquarters, A 3-day office presence is required (ideally Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) to ensure you are fully embedded in the culture and visible across the team.

Zapgo Headquarters

www.google.com

46 Berners St, London W1T 3NE, UK

See more information about this place on Google

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Meet the Team You'll Be Working With

You will initially report to Zapgo's General Counsel and work closely with the wider Executive Committee. As your impact grows, there is a clear and highly tangible pathway to report directly to the CEO and join the ExCo. The following are your key points of contact and collaboration from day one.

Neil Mahapatra — Chief Executive Officer

Zapgo's CEO, Neil is a deeply commercial, straight-talking leader who values absolute authenticity. He is championing the current cultural reset and is searching for a strategic HR partner who understands the function must protect the company's commercial interests above all else.


Dilukshi Leanage - General Counsel

Dilukshi is Zapgo's General Counsel and the incoming Head of People's initial line manager. She will be a key collaborative partner in finessing company policies and ensuring HR and governance frameworks support Zapgo's ambitious scale-up.

Ross Mabon - Sales Lead

Ross is the architect behind Zapgo's strategic pivot to securing high-value multi-site portfolios. He values agile, adaptable colleagues who are comfortable wearing different hats in a fast-moving market.

Recruitment Partner

About Practicus: Inclusive Hiring for Purpose-Led Organisations

This appointment is being managed exclusively by Practicus, one of the UK's leading management consulting and executive recruitment firms specialising in the clean energy and high-growth technology sector. Practicus is committed to inclusive, accessible, and equitable recruitment, and we take that commitment seriously at every stage of this process.

Practicus

Energy, Engineering & Infrastructure Recruitment

With proven expertise in energy, engineering & infrastructure recruitment, we understand multi-industry challenges & deliver trusted, specialist talent solutions.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Practicus is proud to be an inclusive employer and recruitment partner. We actively work to remove barriers that prevent talented people from applying for senior roles, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. We believe that diverse leadership teams build stronger, more resilient, and more impactful organisations.

We will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process for candidates who require them. If you have accessibility needs — whether for interviews, written assessments, or any other part of the process — please let us know at the earliest opportunity and we will accommodate them without question.

Practicus

2025 EDI Report Download

Accessibility & Support

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Zapgo is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. This appointment will be conducted in full accordance with their EDI commitments.


Your Recruitment Partners



Meet Your Practicus Recruitment Team

Your dedicated contacts at Practicus are here to guide you through every step of this executive search process. They are committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and supportive experience for all candidates.

Boyd Kershaw - Founder

Tel: +44 (0) 1491 577122
Email: boyd.kershaw@practicus.com

Michael Gater — Head of Delivery

Tel: +44 (0) 1491 637090
Email: michael.gater@practicus.com

Jenna Belhaj - Client Engagement Partner

Tel: +44 (0) 1491 637499
Email: jenna.belhaj@practicus.com


RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Talent and Market Insights Report

At the midway point of our executive search, we provide a comprehensive report detailing our findings and progress. This report serves as a critical checkpoint, ensuring alignment and transparency throughout the recruitment process.

1

Accurate Research & Live Data

Gain access to up-to-the-minute market intelligence on the targeted talent pool. Our research leverages proprietary tools and real-time data to provide an accurate overview of candidate availability, compensation trends, and market sentiment.

2

Talent Pool Overview

We present a detailed analysis of the talent landscape, including a breakdown of potential candidates who meet the specified criteria. This section helps refine the search strategy and identify emerging opportunities or challenges.

3

Engaged Candidate Profiles

Review the LinkedIn profiles of candidates we've already engaged with and who have shown significant interest and suitability for the role. This gives you an early view of top prospects and their professional backgrounds.

ADVISORY SERVICE

Support Beyond Placement: Our Advisory Service

To ensure your new Head of People thrives from day one and seamlessly integrates into Zapgo's unique culture, Practicus offers an exclusive Advisory service. This specialized support extends beyond the hiring process, focusing on successful onboarding and cultural alignment for key executive roles.