KCOM has announced an increased focus on employees and the community with the appointment of Denise Chong to its new role of new Chief People Officer as it looks to embed a culture of opportunity for all.

Denise has worked in senior People leadership roles across a range of sectors globally, including the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Her experience in the technology sector includes a significant period at Nortel Networks, where she held a number of director-level human resources roles.

Denise brings to KCOM a wealth of expertise across HR and People disciplines, including managing organisational change and transformation and will be a valuable addition to KCOM’s Executive Leadership Team. Denise’s previous roles include HR Vice President, Europe North, for global water, hygiene and energy technologies provider Ecolab Ltd;  HR Vice President for global surgical supplier Bard Medical and HR director for DePuy International Ltd, specialising in orthopaedic and trauma surgery, a Johnson and Johnson company.

KCOM chief executive Dale Raneberg said: “I’m delighted to welcome Denise to KCOM as we look to define what it means to be a leading regional business in the 21st century.

“Denise brings with her all the skills and experience we need to drive the business forward that will not only make KCOM a great place to work but embrace our values of diversity, inclusion, equality and opportunity.

“She will also oversee KCOM’s sustainability activities and our role in the community and how we can continue to work in Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire to help improve the lives and opportunities of everyone here.

“The success of our business relies on our ability to create the right environment to enable us to attract, motivate, support and develop our employees so we can all do the best for our customers.”

Denise said: “I’m pleased to be joining KCOM at what is a very exciting time for the business as it looks to build on the successes of the past few years.

“As a local company KCOM has always sought to create opportunity for all its employees and unleash the potential of the region as a whole and this is something I’m determined to build on. We have lots of exciting plans going forward and I can’t wait to get started.”