Kateryna Bannikova, PhD

HR leader · Sociologist · Linguist · Author

I help people and organisations grow

I lead People and Talent functions in international tech and fintech companies, and I research how organisations and communities build, share and protect their values and culture. I hold a PhD in Sociology and a master's degree in modern languages, lecture at Kharkiv University of Humanities, and work in five languages.

Research and publications Work with me
Kateryna Bannikova in the courtyard of the Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza
Leadership roles at InvestEngineRevolutDataArtEPAM SystemsCiklumTOA TechnologiesNorwegian Cruise LineHolland America Line
Kateryna Bannikova in the Divinity School, Bodleian Library, Oxford

About

I combine senior HR leadership in international companies with academic research in sociology and a long-standing professional practice in languages and cultures.

In practice, I build and scale HR functions in fast-growing companies. My path runs from international cruise lines to technology and fintech, with leadership roles at EPAM Systems, DataArt and Revolut. Today I am Lead People and Talent Partner in the CEO Office at InvestEngine.

In research, I hold a PhD in Sociology and am a Senior Lecturer at Kharkiv University of Humanities. I am the author of 50+ publications on organisational culture, values and human capital, and I present my work at the British Sociological Association.

In languages, I hold a master's degree in modern languages, teach and interpret, and write language workbooks for adult learners. I am completing an MRes in Hispanic Studies at the University of Liverpool on an E. Allison Peers Scholarship.

Outside work I travel across Spain and France, I am preparing a series of free travel guides, and I love the theatre.

  • Based inUnited Kingdom · working worldwide, online
  • Academic roleSenior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Kharkiv University of Humanities "People's Ukrainian Academy", since 2021
  • EducationMRes, Modern Languages and Cultures (Hispanic Studies), University of Liverpool, in progress
    PhD, Sociology, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
    MA, Management of Organisations
    MA, Modern Languages and Cultures, with distinction, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
  • AwardsE. Allison Peers Master's Scholarship, University of Liverpool (2026) · Erasmus Mundus doctoral exchange scholarships (2013, 2014)
  • MembershipsBritish Sociological Association · Sociological Association of Ukraine · CIPD · Association for Language Learning
  • CertificationsSHRM-SCP · Global Talent Management Leader (TMI) · Accredited EPI Teacher · TESOL
  • LanguagesUkrainian, Russian (native) · English (IELTS 8.5) · French (TEF C2) · Spanish (DELE B2) · Italian (CELI B1)
Full CVDownload CV (PDF)
50+publications on culture, values and talent
302citations, h-index 11 (Google Scholar, October 2026)
100+people in the global HR team I built and led
5working languages

Research

Research and publications

I study how organisations and communities build, share and protect their values and culture. My work spans sociology, Hispanic studies and translation studies.

Current research

Symbolic practices of corporate values

How organisations articulate and display their values. Content analysis of corporate value declarations. Doctor of Sciences project, Kharkiv University of Humanities.

Buying back time

How workers save to leave paid work early for rest, study or new work, and what forgone income says about the value of autonomy. BSA 2027.

España Profunda

Regional myth and folk belief in contemporary Spanish rural noir cinema and fiction. MRes, University of Liverpool.

Realia in literary translation

Human versus machine translation of culture-specific items, English to Ukrainian.

Selected publications

Full list, including monographs, on Google Scholar ORCID Scopus
Kateryna Bannikova presenting at the BSA Annual Conference 2026, University of Manchester
Presenting at the BSA Annual Conference 2026, University of Manchester

Conference presentations

  • 2027Freedom at work: workers, employers and the limits of autonomyBSA Annual Conference 2027 · submitted
  • 2026Crisis social capital as temporary infrastructure of collective memoryBSA Annual Conference, University of Manchester
  • 2025The fragility and adaptability of crisis social capital in wartimeBSA Annual Conference, University of Manchester
  • 2025Microdynamics of social capital in crisis: trust, reciprocity and everyday solidarityV Congress of the Sociological Association of Ukraine
Podcast

Starting anew: from being displaced to opening doors for others

Interview on the Revolut Insider podcast.

YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts

Books

Books

Books on organisational culture, values and careers for leaders and HR, and workbooks for learners of Spanish.

Culture, values and careers

Cover of Organisational Culture Decoded

Organisational Culture Decoded

A practical guide for leaders in uncertain times. Kindle and paperback.

Coming soon on Amazon

Languages

Cover of Verbos en familia 1

Verbos en familia 1

Hablar, cambiar, actuar. Spanish verbs workbook, B1 → B2. All answers included.

Coming soon on Amazon
Cover of Verbos en familia 2

Verbos en familia 2

Sentir, moverse, trabajar. Spanish verbs workbook, B2 → C1. All answers included.

Coming soon on Amazon
Cover of Adjetivos en familia

Adjetivos en familia

Describir con precisión. Spanish adjectives workbook, B2 → C1. All answers included.

Coming soon on Amazon

Work with me

Talks, advice and lessons

All sessions run online. Start with a free 20-minute call: we discuss what you need, and I suggest a format and price.

Talks, lectures and workshops

Organisational culture, talent management, AI in HR, working across cultures. For companies, universities and conferences.

People and Talent advisory

Hiring strategy, leadership hiring, performance frameworks and org design for scaling companies.

Career consulting

CV and LinkedIn review, interview preparation, career moves into or within HR and tech.

Language lessons

English, Spanish and Russian for professionals, built around your real work: meetings, presentations, emails and interviews.

University and scholarship applications

Course and university choice, personal statements, postgraduate and scholarship applications in the UK and abroad.

Interpreting and translation

English, Ukrainian, Russian and Spanish for meetings, visits and business documents.

Not sure which fits? Write to me and describe your situation in a few lines.

Book a free call
Kateryna Bannikova on a hilltop above a river valley in Spain

Contact

Let's talk

Tell me briefly about your company or your situation, and I'll reply within two working days to arrange a call.