IFGlobal in focus – Maggie Colon, Head of People

Welcome to IFGlobal In Focus, our series spotlighting the people driving our business forward. In each edition, we chat with key team members about their careers, industry insights, and what’s next for IFGlobal.

In this edition, we hear from Maggie Colon, IFGlobal's Head of People, whose role puts her at the heart of our culture and growth. From shaping HR strategy to supporting colleagues across the business, Maggie plays a vital role in building the strong, people-focused foundation that drives IFGlobal forward. 

Maggie Colon, Head of People

What led you to IFGlobal?

I previously worked with Paul Lavin, IFGlobal's Operations and Transformation Director, at another business, and we kept in touch after leaving. He reached out when IFGlobal was expanding and looking for someone to build their HR function.

Meeting James Bartlett, IFGlobal Chief Executive Officer, and Carlos Pestana, Chief Operating Officer, really sold it for me. They were passionate about the business, easy-going, and put me completely at ease, showing me that IFGlobal had a down-to-earth, people-first culture. That balance of ambition and authenticity made me confident I was joining the right place. And here I am!  

What drew you to the industry? 

I’ve always been curious about how the things we often take for granted—like ordering products online—actually come together. We’ve all clicked “buy now” and expected a parcel to arrive at our door, but I’ve never really known about the scale and precision required to make that happen.

Joining this industry has opened my eyes to the complexity and collaboration involved in fulfilment. It's more than moving boxes. It's about orchestrating a whole chain of people, systems, and processes to create something seamless for the customer. Seeing the full operation in action has been really interesting. 

What does your role involve day-to-day?

No two days are the same, which is something I really enjoy. One day I’ll be supporting a manager with a people challenge, the next I’m working with employees to answer queries or provide guidance, and in between I’m driving longer-term HR projects and shaping strategy. I split my week across both our UK sites (Hurn and Christchurch), which gives me a real understanding of how each function works and helps me stay connected with different teams.

A big part of my role is coaching managers so they can be as effective as possible in their people management responsibilities. Over the last year, I’ve seen such growth in their confidence and capability, which has been a highlight for me. My approach is very open-door; I want people to feel comfortable coming to me with anything, knowing they’ll be heard.

What’s something you’ve learned since joining IFGlobal?   

The importance of stepping back and looking at the bigger picture.

In a fast-paced environment like IFGlobal, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But when you take a moment to reflect on what the team has achieved, whether it’s welcoming new clients, onboarding new team members, improving processes, or developing our culture, it’s really rewarding. That perspective helps me see how every task connects to something bigger and more meaningful. 

What makes your work enjoyable?   

Just listening to people. Sometimes they simply need to say things out loud, and I don’t always have the answers, though giving them space to share really makes a difference. It also means I hear some great stories along the way, and get to know people on a deeper level. Knowing the team here feel comfortable to approach me is very fulfilling (excuse the pun).

How has working closely with the SLT shaped your perspective on the business? 

We have a strong, diverse leadership team, and I’ve been fortunate to be part of shaping the teams and supporting the business strategy. Each leader brings different strengths and perspectives, and working alongside them constantly expands my thinking and approach to leadership and collaboration.

When you think about IFGlobal’s future, what excites you most?    

The learning opportunities. IFGlobal is growing and evolving, and with every new client, role, and process comes the chance to stretch yourself and develop new skills. I find that constant movement energising. It means each week, month and year provides the chance to grow alongside the business. It's exciting to be part of something that is constantly evolving.

What do you consider your biggest career achievement or standout moment to date?   

Creating and shaping a culture that people love and want to be part of. In a previous role, my team and I focused on trust, empowerment, and engagement. And the impact was clear; we saw improvements in performance, attendance, and retention. It was incredibly rewarding to know that our work had changed how people felt about coming to work every day. That experience is something I carry with me into my role at IFGlobal. It’s the kind of culture I want to continue nurturing here, too.

What skills or qualities do you think are most important in your role? 

Resilience, empathy, patience, and a thick skin! HR touches every part of the business, which means you need to be able to adapt quickly, stay calm under pressure, and balance both the human and legal sides of every situation, remembering that at the heart of HR is people. Reflection and learning are also key—every challenge or difficult conversation is an opportunity to learn something new. 

Aside from the fulfilment and logistics industry, what else interests you?  

I have a real interest in employment law. It’s constantly evolving, which means there’s always something new to learn. Keeping up with those changes is challenging but also hugely rewarding, because it has such a direct impact on the way we support employees and protect the business.

Working closely with our local employment law firm has been a fantastic learning opportunity, and I really value that partnership as part of my professional development. 

Quick facts

• If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why? 
  I’d choose Tony Hsieh, the co-founder of Zappos. His approach to company culture—putting employee happiness first to drive customer happiness—was really ahead of its time. I’ve read his book and loved how he shared the ideas and challenges he faced in making them real, but I’d be curious to hear what he thought the future of employee engagement might look like. That kind of thinking is something I try to bring into my own work.  
• A skill you’re proud of that helps you excel in your role:
  When I interviewed for this role, Carlos asked me what my “superpower” was, and I said relationship building. It’s something I rely on every day to guide managers, support employees, and help the business run smoothly. Building trust and strong connections makes everything else in HR easier.  
• One thing your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you:
  I’m a bit of a closet geek. I love Marvel and Star Trek. I even have a 3D chess set at home (though I have no idea how to play!). One day, I’d love to go to Comic-Con in San Diego.

Maggie’s passion for building connections, empowering teams, and shaping a culture where people can thrive reflects exactly what makes IFGlobal unique. As we continue to grow, it’s leaders like Maggie who help make sure people remain at the centre of everything we do.