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Ken Somers

Empowering Small & Mid-Sized Businesses with Expert Talent Solutions | Driving Growth Through People

About Me

Ken brings more than 40 years of Human Resources and line executive and practitioner experience to his client relationships. In addition to the United States, he has lived and worked across multiple industries in 6 countries (5 in Asia and 1 in Europe). As a consequence, there are very few situations that he has not previously navigated with his clients. He is widely acknowledged for quickly establishing trust and critical thought partnership. This essential trust is attained through his naturally engaging style, a focus on practical solutions, and the use of some well-timed humor. Ken has helped executives and their teams by: • Coaching leaders and managers on soft skills e.g., empathy, active listening, emotional intelligence to improve their effectiveness and focus on personal growth. * building and imnplementing sustainable succession plans • Working with managers to develop stronger prioritization and delegation skills and habits to reduce stress and attain greater work/life balance. • Coaching executives on communication style and presentation skills to build their reputations and enhance career growth. • Working with leaders to enhance their executive presence and their organizational effectiveness and impact. • Developing leadership team cohesiveness to drive business growth and agility. Ken earned a BA in English Literature and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He lives with his spouse in Groton, CT. Time zones and travel are routine challenges that are easily overcome.

Notable Employer

  • Mnaging Partner at Somers HR Solutions
  • VP & Director of HR - Wealth Management and Chief HR Officer - Tokyo at The Hartford
  • Executive Director HR at Morgan Stanley
  • Program Director HR at IBM

Experience

Seniority LevelExecutive
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
Mnaging PartnerNotableSomers HR Solutions
2020 - Present

Somers HR Solutions LLC is an independent consultancy that partners with business leaders and their teams to diagnose and drive growth through their people strategies. The consultancy is committed to providing practical, real-world solutions that deliver tangible results.

Vice President and Head of Business Strategy & Governance AXA-XL
2015 - 2020

Initially based in India, recruited to lead Enterprise Shared Services HR organization with locations in India, Poland, and Malaysia. Role expanded to lead HR for Global Operations business unit encompassing Enterprise Shared Services, Global Procurement, Global Facilities Management, and other organizations providing Continuous Improvement, Operational Metrics, and Business Continuity Management functions. Total FTE count represented approximately 30 per cent of enterprise population. Trusted advisor to leaders across the enterprise. Appointed to company’s extended global HR Leadership Team. Parallel role as business leader for the Malaysia-based Shared Services operations team and led the successful closure of that operating unit. Retired as Chief of Staff to Head of Global Enterprise Shared Services. Personally led Business Intelligence, Operational Risk Management, Strategic Planning, and Financial Management. Recently completed an assignment as interim country head for the company’s Poland operation where I led preparations for a successful GDPR inspection.

Senior Manager, APAC HRMathWorks
2013 - 2015

Hands-on leadership of a small team supporting sales and services organizations in 5 APAC countries and a software development team in India – effectively addressed a broad range of employee relations, leadership coaching, and organizational development challenges.

Vice President Human Capital & Management ServicesPhiladelphia Financial
2012 - 2013

CEO direct report. Joined the firm to create Human Capital and Management Services functions. Initial areas of focus in talent practices, acquisition integration, and establishing core HR infrastructure capabilities

VP & Director of HR - Wealth Management and Chief HR Officer - TokyoNotableThe Hartford
2005 - 2012

Senior HR business partner for the Life Insurance Division, delivering effective and pragmatic business partnership to home office leaders and field offices with more than 1000 total staff across the United States; 240 of whom were sales professionals. Thought partner, coach, and trusted advisor. As a local CEO direct report, led HR, Corporate Communications & Corporate Services for this 800employee, $10B former subsidiary of The Hartford

Executive Director HRNotableMorgan Stanley
2000 - 2005

Recruited to lead HR for all Morgan Stanley business units in Japan. Role expanded to simultaneously encompass Head of HR for Japan, Head of HR for India and Centers of Excellence (COE) executive for Asia Pacific. Led HR teams totaling more than seventy staff across four APAC countries.

Program Director HRTowers Perrin
1998 - 2000

Consultant delivering HR consulting servcies to clients in the PRC, Korea, and Singapore

Program Director HRNotableIBM
1978 - 1998

Varuious early career positions. Concluded IBM time as Director of HR for data center outsourcing division in Asia

Education

Masters of HRUniversity of Massachusetts at Amherst
1976 - 1978
Degree of English LiteratureUniversity of Massachusetts at Amherst
1972 - 1976

Certification

Total Certifications2

Talent Optimization Leader Certification

Predictive Index

2024

Talent Optimization Consultant Certificate

Predictive Index

2024

Skills

Core skills0
Languages1

Languages

English