John O’Brien

Executive Director | Head of Payroll

UK

John leads the payroll team at Frazer Jones. He recruits executive payroll and benefits professionals with UK, EMEA and global remits. With an unrivalled network, he is seen as the leading executive payroll recruitment specialist in the UK. He hosts and speaks regularly at payroll, banking and insurance industry forums and has a wealth of experience across the UK and EMEA.

John’s testimonials

Head of Payroll & Benefits | Financial Services

My experience with Frazer Jones was truly exceptional from start to finish. Their consistent communication and regular check ins made me feel genuinely valued, not just as a candidate but as an individual. It was clear they were fully invested in supporting my journey every step of the way.

A special thank you to Linda Giacomantonio and John O’Brien for their guidance, advice, and for helping me secure my new role. I’m incredibly grateful for their support and would highly recommend Frazer Jones to anyone seeking a professional and personable recruitment experience.

JOHN’s Insights

HR leaders make exceptional Non-Executive Directors

From CHRO to the boardroom: why HR leaders make exceptional Non-Executive Directors

  • Posted May 20, 2026
Contents Share About Carmen Wee Carmen Wee is the Founder and CEO of Carmen Wee & Associates, an HR advisory services firm. An accomplished Global CHRO with over 25 years of international business experience, Carmen has driven large-scale business transformation and change management within fast-growing organisations undergoing complex mergers and acquisitions. She has led large, multicultural […]

Pay transparency – competing for talent in the UK: winning in the “comparison economy”

  • Posted May 20, 2026
Contents Share Last week in Bristol, Frazer Jones brought together more than 70 Reward and HR professionals from across Bristol and the South West for a highly engaging session on a topic shaping almost every hiring conversation we see: how organisations compete for talent in the “comparison economy.” Hosted by Mike Doyle, Head of Reward, […]

Modern total rewards: interview with Josh Berkowitz, Head of Compensation, Benefits & HR Infrastructure

  • Posted May 19, 2026
Contents Share We recently spoke with Josh Berkowitz, Head of Compensation, Benefits and HR Infrastructure at Silver Point Capital.  In his role, Josh oversees the firm’s compensation and benefits strategy alongside its HR infrastructure, supporting the needs of a global workforce and partnering closely with senior leadership.  Over the course of his career, he has built deep expertise across […]

Navigating your career in HR analytics in Germany: skills, tools and trends

  • Posted May 6, 2026
Contents Share HR analytics has shifted from a niche capability into a core part of modern human resources. In Germany, this shift has been particularly pronounced due to a strong focus on precision, compliance and long‑term workforce planning. Organisations increasingly expect HR professionals to use HR data and metrics to inform decision‑making, support talent management […]

Mastering global HR technology: scaling HR systems, data and AI at global scale

  • Posted April 30, 2026
Contents Share As organizations expand internationally, HR technology moves from a supporting function to a core part of business strategy. Global HR teams are now expected to manage complex HR systems, growing volumes of employee data, and workforce management challenges across multiple jurisdictions while still delivering a strong employee experience. Fragmented HR processes, disconnected HR […]

How multinational companies are adapting HR leadership profiles in Dubai 

  • Posted April 29, 2026
Contents Share Dubai has established itself as a major regional hub for multinational organisations operating across the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia. As companies scale across the UAE and wider GCC, the expectations placed on HR leadership have shifted. Traditional human resources leadership models, often designed for mature Western markets, are being reshaped to meet […]

Succession planning for HR leadership in top law firms: building strength from within 

  • Posted April 23, 2026
Contents Share Succession planning in US law firms has traditionally focused on one thing, continuity of client relationships. Who will inherit the work? Who will keep the revenue flowing? Who will step into leadership roles at partnership level?  Increasingly, though, another question is moving to the foreground, how will the firm sustain the leadership capability […]

Private equity confidence is back: how US deals are reshaping CPO hiring in the UK

  • Posted March 18, 2026
Over the last six months, I have seen confidence return to the private equity market. After a prolonged period of caution driven by the pandemic, economic uncertainty and ongoing volatility, funds are once again showing a greater appetite to transact. For many investors, uncertainty is no longer a short-term disruption. It is the operating environment, […]

Emerging HR hubs in North America: beyond NYC, Chicago, and Toronto 

  • Posted March 18, 2026
We’ve already discussed executive hiring search trends in North America, but what are some of the emerging locations business leaders should be aware of?   For decades, New York City, Chicago, and Toronto have been the dominant HR centers in North America. Their established corporate ecosystems, deep labor markets, and extensive talent pipelines made them natural focal […]

The Southwest UK HR job market in 2026: what employers across Bristol, the M4 corridor and the Thames Valley need to know

  • Posted March 11, 2026
Over recent years, the HR job market across the Southwest has shifted significantly. From Bristol and Swindon, through the M4 corridor and across parts of the Thames Valley, employers are navigating a labour market shaped by post-pandemic change, economic uncertainty and continued demand for high-quality HR capability. I work closely with organisations across this entire […]
A woman speaking in a corporate environment

Leading beyond discomfort: how mind‑body awareness strengthens modern leadership

  • Posted March 5, 2026
As leaders navigate increasing complexity, shifting expectations and diverse teams, many are finding that technical capability alone is no longer enough. Effective leadership now depends on the ability to recognise discomfort early, stay grounded under pressure and create environments where people feel safe to contribute. During our recent International Women’s Day webinar that we hosted […]

Implementing the UK’s MRT pay reforms: what compensation leaders need to decide now and consider for tomorrow (and how to weigh accelerating legacy deferrals)

  • Posted March 4, 2026
UK banks, investment firms and dual‑regulated firms operating in financial services are entering a new phase of remuneration reform. Following changes to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and PRA Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) remuneration rules, firms now have greater flexibility over variable remuneration, deferral periods, vesting and retention period structures, particularly for material risk takers […]

Greater China total rewards trends in 2026: compensation and benefits hiring across Hong Kong and Mainland China

  • Posted March 4, 2026
In 2026, the total rewards landscape across the Greater China region is undergoing a profound structural shift, driven by evolving Chinese labour markets, changing job market dynamics and heightened competition for top talent across the Asia Pacific region. For human resources leaders, these market trends are reshaping compensation strategies, rewards programmes and decision-making at both […]

How to write a standout HR CV 

  • Posted March 3, 2026
contents Whether you’re being headhunted, referred by your network, working with a recruiter or applying directly, your CV should never be the reason you fall out of contention. In HR, it is your clearest marketing document. It should communicate professional experience, achievements and relevant skills quickly to a recruiter or hiring manager and to applicant tracking systems.  As an […]

Interview with Danny Lockwood, HRIS strategist and Workday specialist

  • Posted March 3, 2026
1. What major trends do you see shaping Workday system strategy and HRIS architecture over the next 3–5 years? “Over the next few years, we’ll see a definitive shift from traditional transaction-heavy systems to AI-augmented orchestration. HRIS architecture is moving toward a “skills-first” model, where the Workday Skills Cloud becomes the foundational layer for dynamic […]

Why senior HR talent is becoming a differentiator for Dutch PE portfolio companies

  • Posted March 3, 2026
Private equity in the Netherlands is changing. Deal activity is rising, expectations around performance are tightening and portfolio companies are being pushed to deliver value creation faster and more consistently. As Dutch businesses across Amsterdam and the wider region respond to these pressures, a theme has appeared: senior HR talent is now one of the […]

Reward hiring trends for 2026: insights from a year of change in financial and professional services

  • Posted March 2, 2026
At the start of this year, I sat down with my colleague Tom Gowing to film a conversation about the hiring landscape across reward and the wider HR market. The video below provides a helpful overview of how both of our markets performed in 2025 and what we expect in 2026. Working closely with organisations […]

HR hiring outlook for 2026: what professional services talent trends tell us about the year ahead

  • Posted March 2, 2026
As we start 2026, I have been looking back on the past year in professional services HR recruitment and considering what the year ahead might hold. In the video below, Leona McCarthy and I discuss the hiring landscape across our markets and what stood out most. This article expands on my side of that conversation, […]

Why hiring the right HR level matters for your business 

  • Posted February 27, 2026
Hiring the right level of human resources expertise is one of the most important decisions a business can make. Across the Netherlands, we regularly see employers struggle to determine whether they need an HR Officer, an HR Adviser or an HR Business Partner.  The complexity of modern HR management means that each HR role delivers a different level of impact across […]
What does a HRIS Analyst do?

The hidden cost of direct hiring in the Dutch payroll market 

  • Posted February 27, 2026
In the Netherlands, payroll hiring has become one of the most difficult challenges for employers navigating Dutch labour laws and increasing employer obligations.   Every organisation needs accurate payroll management to meet requirements around income tax, social security contributions, healthcare premiums and pension contributions. But the number of strong Dutch employees with deep payroll expertise is limited.  On the surface, direct hiring […]

Why spring is the real new year for your HR career

  • Posted February 25, 2026
Recently, I have spoken to so many HR professionals who have confided that January did not deliver the transformation they expected. Between the noise on social media, the pressure to build new skills, and the endless talk of goals and reinvention, it is easy to feel as if you should have everything sorted: a perfect […]

Strengths-based leadership in HR: how knowing your own strengths can future-proof your career

  • Posted February 20, 2026
Ahead of International Women’s Day, I recorded a podcast conversation with Renee Conklin as part of our View from the top HR executive series at Frazer Jones. Renee is a career and executive coach who focuses specifically on supporting senior female HR leaders. In my role as an HR recruiter, working closely with leaders across […]

How HR leaders can build the meta skills needed for an AI‑ready workforce in 2026

  • Posted February 16, 2026
In my role advising HR leaders and partnering with organisations on their hiring, I hear a lot about the pressure to adapt to this next phase of work. Every conversation circles back to the same challenge. AI is advancing quickly, yet many organisations do not feel ready. When I sat down with Alysha Adams again, […]

Why individual briefing calls lead to better interim payroll and HR hires

  • Posted February 12, 2026
After years working in interim payroll and HR recruitment, I have seen how much pressure hiring managers face to move quickly. It is why many choose group briefing calls, assuming they will speed up the hiring process. But each time I join one, I can instantly see that the client is not getting the level […]

Financial services HR trends in 2026: hiring, skills and culture

  • Posted February 11, 2026
After a year defined by growing specialist demand, shifting junior expectations and renewed activity across talent acquisition, the HR function in financial services enters 2026 with a much clearer view of the capability, culture and future potential organisations are looking to build. As the year progresses, employers are refining their HR strategy to meet changing […]

Interview with Lara Kumar-Fuller, Global Head of Reward, New York 

  • Posted February 9, 2026
At Frazer Jones, we partner with HR and reward leaders across the globe, helping organisations navigate an increasingly complex people landscape. In today’s economic environment, reward has never been more critical, as businesses look for sustainable ways to drive performance, retain key talent and motivate their workforce.  As a result, reward leaders are playing a more strategic […]
Executive Assistants

How payroll and finance teams collaborate (and how we help you hire them) 

  • Posted February 5, 2026
HR and payroll teams are now central to how organisations manage their people, budget for growth and deliver a strong employee experience. Their work influences everything from workforce planning and headcount to labour costs, retention and employee engagement.   In the Netherlands, employers must navigate detailed legislation and fast-changing requirements. HR professionals and payroll experts are becoming key partners for finance […]

Executive hiring search trends in North America: what HR leaders need to know for 2026 

  • Posted February 4, 2026
Executive hiring across North America continues to evolve as organizations navigate transformation, economic uncertainty, and shifting expectations for modern leadership. The job market for senior roles remains competitive, and organizations across technology, healthcare, financial services, supply chain, and energy are competing for top-tier talent that can deliver growth, resilience, and innovation. These dynamics are reshaping how companies […]

Beyond London: key trends shaping the UK HR job market

  • Posted February 2, 2026
The human resources job market across the United Kingdom is evolving, and it looks very different outside London. While the capital remains a hub for HR careers, regional markets have their own dynamics, challenges and opportunities. Understanding these differences is essential for HR professionals and businesses looking to attract and retain HR talent beyond the […]
The future of HR leadership in the U.S.: skills that will define 2026

The future of HR leadership in the US: skills that will define 2026 

  • Posted January 28, 2026
HR leadership in the United States is entering a new era. Once focused primarily on compliance and administration, today’s HR leaders are strategic partners driving organizational growth. As we look toward 2026, the expectations placed on HR professionals are evolving rapidly. They must master data-driven decision-making, navigate complex reward and compensation strategies, and lead organizations through […]

Fresh eyes on the market: what changed in the financial services HR landscape while I was away

  • Posted January 26, 2026
A few months into returning from maternity leave, I realised how unusual it is to step out of the financial services sector completely and then re-enter it with a clean lens. When you work every day across human resources recruitment, investment banking hiring cycles, asset management restructuring, private equity growth plans and fintech transformation initiatives, […]

Why venture capital firms across Europe are rethinking HR hiring in 2026 

  • Posted January 23, 2026
Over the past few years, startups across Europe have scaled faster than the talent infrastructure supporting them. But 2026 has brought a new reality.   Growth is now less about speed and more about sustainability, resilience and the ability to adapt to constant technological disruption. This shift has made HR one of the most strategically important roles within any […]

Global HR financial services job market: 2025 review and 2026 outlook

  • Posted January 22, 2026
At Frazer Jones, we operate as one global team across financial services. Our HR recruitment experts collaborate seamlessly across all the locations we cover, combining global reach with deep local expertise. This unified approach enables us to share market intelligence in real time, deliver consistent and high‑quality search outcomes internationally and support clients with truly […]

Global reach, local expertise: Frazer Jones’ regional HR recruitment capability across the UK

  • Posted January 14, 2026
When you think of Frazer Jones, you might picture our London and international offices. But did you know we also have a dedicated team of HR recruitment specialists based across the United Kingdom? Recruiting from Aberdeen to Exeter, each consultant brings decades of insight into their local human resources markets, backed by the strength of […]

Why hiring a temporary HR professional could be your smartest move yet

  • Posted January 14, 2026
Over the past decade in interim recruitment, I’ve witnessed the job market transform dramatically. One question I hear often from hiring managers and recruiters is: “Why should we hire a temp?” The answer goes far beyond simply filling a skills gap or covering a short-term absence. Hiring temporary talent is a strategic decision. It enables businesses to […]

Global HR recruitment: market insight from Asia and the US

  • Posted December 22, 2025
At Frazer Jones, our recruiters are passionate about sharing market insight and best practice in HR recruitment. When two of our leadership team, Erica Ravich from New York and Charlotte Matthew from Singapore, meet in London, it’s a unique opportunity to reflect on the trends shaping global recruitment. Their conversation highlights the value of local […]

Global reach, local expertise: how our financial services recruiters deliver top HR talent for clients worldwide

  • Posted December 22, 2025
As someone who leads the permanent financial services recruitment team at Frazer Jones in London, I see every day how our global reach and local expertise make a real difference for our clients and candidates. Working closely with my colleagues across our global network, including the US, the UAE, the Netherlands, Singapore and Hong Kong, […]

Step 4 to EU pay transparency: leading cultural change toward transparency

  • Posted December 16, 2025
The EU pay transparency directive is not just a legal requirement. It represents a cultural shift that challenges organisations to rethink how they communicate, lead and engage. Across EU member states, businesses must now go beyond compliance and embed transparency into their culture. This means fostering open dialogue about pay progression, average pay and the […]

Step 3 to EU pay transparency: reviewing recruitment processes for compliance

  • Posted December 16, 2025
As part of the EU pay transparency directive, organisations across EU member states must take a closer look at how they attract and hire talent. This includes updating recruitment workflows to meet new requirements and support fair pay practices. Under the directive, businesses must include salary ranges in job advertisements and avoid using a candidate’s […]

Step 2 to EU pay transparency: building a grade and pay banding framework

  • Posted December 16, 2025
After auditing existing pay data, the next step in preparing for the EU pay transparency directive is to build a clear and consistent framework for pay. This involves designing a transparent job architecture with defined salary bands and pay ranges that reflect the value of roles across the organisation. A well-structured framework helps ensure fair […]
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