Emma Ayton is the Group UKI HR Director and a member of the Executive Committee at Zigup. Zigup’s people strategy and priorities focus on enabling a great colleague experience, delivering simple, scalable, brilliant basics and growing talent and capability for the future. Emma has spent 27 years in HR / People focus roles both within the UK and internationally, across multiple sectors including technology and retail. As well as being a fellow of the CIPD, Emma has an MSc in Organisational Psychology and is an executive coach. She is obsessed with creating diverse, high performing, accountable cultures where individuals can thrive and reach their potential. In 2025 Zigup were awarded the Kings Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity, primarily for the success of their early careers programme. In 2026 Zigup were recognised by the FTSE Women Leaders Review in #1 position across the FTSE250 for the outstanding progress they have made over the last 5 years in creating a diverse PLC board and leadership teams across the UK, Ireland, and Spain. Emma lives in Northumberland with her Husband and twin daughters who are 12 years old.