Geraldine Hetherington is the first UK chief operating officer (COO) for recruitment and HR consultancy Hudson.

Hetherington will focus on running the operations side of the UK business, including managing training and development for Hudson’s 800 UK staff.

She joined Hudson as a recruitment consultant for the legal sector in 1995, and assumed the role of HR Director in 2001, gaining her Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) certificate in just one year.

Hetherington’s role was expanded to include operations in April 2004.

John Rose, Hudson’s UK chief executive said of the appointment, “The new COO role formalises what has been an ongoing evolution of Geraldine’s existing responsibilities, and is a fitting recognition of her outstanding contribution and commitment to the company over the last ten years.”