What are the duties in your new role?
As a member of the board, executive and senior management team, reporting to the chief executive, my focus will very much be on strategic people management issues, leading a team of 70 people to support the implementation programme.
What are the main challenges HR faces in the next five years?
Matching the increased importance and focus on HR issues with the right level of capability in HR teams. Winning the war on talent as we go through the next cycle and engaging and motivating people.
Macgregor’s CV
What is the most overrated tool in your job?
HR director, Eversheds (international law firm)
Chief of staff to group director, Barclays Bank
HR director, Barclays Bank
Global head of HR legal,Deutsche Bank
Employee surveys can be overused. Disproportionate conclusions can be made. They provide a valuable set of data, but should be used accordingly.
What work tool would you like to see invented?
A scientific measurement of successful development interventions that would help sell the importance of learning and development.
What is the worst thing about HR?
It can be a dumping ground.
What is the strangest situation you have been in at work?
Hiring a fantastic senior sales guy and finding out he was a complete nightmare to work with. Sometimes you won’t get the result you want, however much due diligence you do.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Fun, focused, family man.
Who has been the greatest influence on your career?
Cathy Turner, the HR director at Barclays. She is an inspirational professional who “wooed” me into HR.
What do you regret about your career?
Not being ‘front office’. I do sales all the time in my roles but suspect I could have sold externally.
What advice would you give someone starting out in HR?
Go for it. Be brilliant with your work product and brave with your advice.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Sum up your philosophy on life in one sentence.
Attack it!
