PPMA president Gill Hibberd has called on public sector HR professionals to demonstrate more “purpose, passion and performance” in their roles.
Hibberd began her 12-month term of office today (29 April) at the annual Public Sector People Managers’ conference in Manchester.
Addressing delegates, she warned of tough times ahead for the public sector and called on HR leaders to adapt to deliver the best services.
Chancellor Alistair Darling announced billions of pounds in efficiency savings in this month’s Budget, potentially leading to thousands of HR job cuts. Money received by Whitehall departments and local authorities has also been cut as the government looks to tighten its belt.
Hibberd said: “I want HR as a profession to pursue purpose, passion and performance,” she said. “Now is the time to mark out roles for ourselves and be unique leaders of organisations. Dare to be different and continue to deliver world-class public services.”
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Hibberd paid tribute to past president Stephen Moir, thanking him for his “tireless efforts” in raising the profile of the organisation.
She also set a target of boosting PPMA membership numbers to 1,000 during her tenure – up from an estimated 850 at present – and committed the organisation to producing more ‘thought leadership’ work.
