Welcome to our series, ‘Meet the Team’, where we meet the people behind the business in the Channel Islands.
Following the announcement on Thursday of her appointment as Chief People Officer at ZEDRA, today, we’re speaking with Aoife Habben, to learn more about her journey, her role, and what inspires her in her work.
Tell us about your career background and how you came into your new role?
I’ve spent over 20 years working in dynamic, high-growth environments, including Amazon, AWS, GE Capital, and most recently a private equity-backed fintech business. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building and developing high-performing teams and driving people strategies that enable business success.
Joining ZEDRA felt like a natural next step, an opportunity leverage my experience, at a pivotal time with so much momentum and growth across the business globally.
What drew you to the role of Chief People Officer at ZEDRA?
ZEDRA is at an incredibly exciting stage, with ambitious plans for global expansion and a strong commitment to investing in our people and culture. The chance to shape and deliver a people strategy that supports this growth, while working alongside talented leaders and teams, was something that really excited me. I’m passionate about creating inclusive, high-performing environments, and the alignment with ZEDRA was clear.
What’s the most interesting thing about your work?
For me, it’s the complexity and impact. I have seen first-hand how high performing People functions contribute directly to business success. Building meaningful talent, leadership and organisational strategies which positively impact our employees and how our clients experience our service is incredibly rewarding.
What motivates you to get up and come to work every day?
I’m motivated by the opportunity to make a difference, whether that’s helping someone grow in their career, building a stronger team, or shaping a culture where people feel valued and supported. Knowing that when our people thrive, our clients succeed, is a really powerful driver.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Trust yourself and embrace change! Every new challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow, even if it feels daunting at first. And don’t underestimate the importance of being a brilliant teammate who leans into solving the toughest challenges that many others shy away from. This will enable you to accelerate your learning and build strong foundations for a successful career.
Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who lead with authenticity and courage, and by teams that collaborate to achieve something bigger than themselves. Seeing individuals and businesses push boundaries and innovate always energises me.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Outside of work, life is busy with my husband, two young children, and two dogs! Weekends usually involve chasing after our new dachshund puppy or cheering on the side-lines at dance classes and rugby matches. It’s a full house, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What are you most excited about heading into 2026?
Most of all, I’m looking forward to working closely with our teams globally to deliver on our ambitious plans and create an environment where everyone at ZEDRA can thrive. Relocating to Jersey in early 2026 will also be a big milestone for me personally. I can’t wait to get stuck in, live our values and become a part of the ZEDRA story.
ZEDRA is a global provider of Active Wealth, Corporate & Global Expansion, Funds and Pension & Incentives services, based in 17 jurisdictions throughout Asia, the Americas, the Crown Dependencies, UK and Europe. To find out more about our services, contact us at [email protected].
