Where were you working before and what were your duties?
I worked as a consultant for a year after I was HR director at WCI Group. My role was to provide HR direction towards the achievement of company strategy, goals and objectives.
What qualifications do you hold?
None, only O-levels.
What are the duties in your new role?
To ensure the HR strategy is supporting the company’s growth plans, and that the organisation’s structure fits with the culture of the company. I will provide advice on developing executive team performance. I work in a team of four, and report to the CEO.
What are the main challenges HR faces in the next five years?
To restrain from tying itself in knots over bureaucratic legislation. There needs to be a careful balance between complying with the law and ensuring commercial viability in what we do.
What is the essential tool in your job?
A good listening ear.
And the most overrated?
Meetings when they are not necessary.
What is the worst thing about HR?
The way it is legislation driven. This has taken the caring, people element away from the way we deal with situations.
What is the strangest situation you have been in at work?
Having my three-day-old baby attend a board meeting with me.
Who is your ultimate hero?
Richard Branson – for the tenacious way he has built his businesses.
What is the most annoying piece of management jargon?
Think outside the box.
How do you fill your spare time?
I am a school governor. I also love travelling, cooking and drinking fine wines.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Driven, practical and fun-loving.
What is your favourite web page?
My daughter’s www.piczo.com social networking site.
What song gets you on the dance floor?
Rock DJ by Robbie Williams.
What is your worst habit?
Stubbornness.
What is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
Setting up my own company in 1988.
What three items would you take with you to a desert island?
A supply of champagne, lipstick and hair straighteners.
Who would play you in the film of your life and why?
My daughter – she is a mini-me.
Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?
Jon Bon Jovi.
Sum up your philosophy on life in one sentence.
Live every day to the full and don’t waste a single second. Do what makes you happy and change what doesn’t.
Evans’ CV
May 2007-present
HR director, CHPD (assessment and development company)
Mar 2006-May 2007
HR consultant, Equiteq (consultancy)
Aug 1988-May 2005
HR director, WCI Group (management consultancy)
Oct 1984-Aug 1988
Training manager, Grist Business Services (IT reseller)
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