Kristofer Karsten
Global HR transformation leadership for organisations where scale, complexity and execution have outgrown the existing model.
With 20+ years of experience across 60+ countries, Kristofer works with CEOs, CHROs, CFOs and executive teams when the existing HR model has reached its limits. Spanning sectors from PE-backed SaaS and luxury retail to healthcare, technology, and GBS, he focuses on measurable outcomes including cost reduction, scalability, governance, and revenue enablement.
The transformation perspective when the model needs to change
He provides operating-model architecture, transformation leadership and senior commercial judgement, not traditional HR consultancy. His work is built around moving quickly from ambiguity to a scalable operating system.
Scale & Operating Model Transformation
Architecture for hyper-growth environments. Implementation of tiered service delivery models (Tier 0–3) and GBS frameworks that standardise global operations while enabling local agility and headcount governance.
M&A, Restructuring & Value Creation
Managing People operations through complex transactions. Expertise in large-scale integration, carve-outs, workforce rightsizing, and the due diligence required to unlock strategic value and ensure board-ready compliance.
Technology, AI & Future of Work
The technical core of HR transformation. Design and deployment of agentic People functions utilizing AI query management, Workday, SAP, and advanced HCM stacks to drive measurable accuracy and significant cost reduction.
From enterprise transformation to technology-enabled People operations
HR TOM & GBS · Workday · SAP · CloudPay · AI query management · compensation automation · workforce planning · M&A · EOR · GTM · restructuring · governance · PMO · career architecture · reward
Companies and organisations
Dynatrace · OneTrust · Michael Kors · Versace · Jimmy Choo · Capri Holdings · Ceridian / Dayforce · Cigna Global · University of Strathclyde · ACCA · Aegis · Kura · McDonald's Europe · Uniqlo · Atheneum
HR Target Operating Model & GBS
Architectural design of tiered service models and Global Business Services to support complexity at scale.
Organisation Design & GTM Transformation
Designing commercial organisations that align People machinery with revenue enablement and GTM strategy.
M&A & Workforce Transformation
Strategic advisory for complex integration, divestiture and global workforce restructuring.
Agentic People Functions & AI
Moving beyond traditional HRIS to AI-enabled operating systems that deliver measurable productivity gains.
Interim Global HR Leadership
Senior leadership for organisations in rapid transition or facing critical model failure.
Workforce Strategy & Commercial Governance
Board-ready reporting and headcount governance anchored in P&L reality.
Who Kristofer works with
CEOs · CHROs · CFOs · PE Deal Partners · Founders · Transformation Leads · Global HR Executive Teams
When the existing People model reaches its limit, the answer is not more HR. It is a better operating model.
The why is always commercial. The how is always human. The outcome is always measurable.
From enterprise transformation to technology-enabled People operations
HR TOM & GBS · Workday · SAP · CloudPay · AI query management · compensation automation · workforce planning · M&A · EOR · GTM · restructuring · governance · PMO · career architecture · reward
Companies and organisations
Dynatrace · OneTrust · Michael Kors · Versace · Jimmy Choo · Capri Holdings · Ceridian / Dayforce · Cigna Global · University of Strathclyde · ACCA · Aegis · Kura · McDonald's Europe · Uniqlo · Atheneum
Published thinking & speaker
Kristofer writes regularly about operating models, transformation, AI, M&A, employee experience and the future of global HR. His thinking has been published or featured across HR Magazine, Hays Journal, HR Grapevine, The HR Director and Ius Laboris.
He co-presented at the 2020 CIPD Festival of Work alongside workforce futurist and former Obama administration advisor Alexandra Levit on the future of work, and has contributed commentary on contingent workforce strategy and HR’s role in cybersecurity and organisational risk.
HR Target Operating Model & GBS
Architectural design of tiered service models and Global Business Services to support complexity at scale.
Organisation Design & GTM Transformation
Designing commercial organisations that align People machinery with revenue enablement and GTM strategy.
M&A & Workforce Transformation
Strategic advisory for complex integration, divestiture and global workforce restructuring.
Agentic People Functions & AI
Moving beyond traditional HRIS to AI-enabled operating systems that deliver measurable productivity gains.
Interim Global HR Leadership
Senior leadership for organisations in rapid transition or facing critical model failure.
Workforce Strategy & Commercial Governance
Board-ready reporting and headcount governance anchored in P&L reality.
Who Kristofer works with
CEOs · CHROs · CFOs · PE Deal Partners · Founders · Transformation Leads · Global HR Executive Teams