Martin Sawkins – the senior human resources figure who left the AA in September – has been appointed group HR director at emergency repair firm Homeserve.
Sawkins, who will sit on the executive board at Homeserve, has been given a remit to focus on recruitment and retention at the fast-growing company.
Homeserve currently employs 5,000 people across the UK – double the number that worked there five years ago – and intends to increase that number further.
Sawkins, HR director at the AA since 2002, has spent 20 years in the profession, including stints at British Gas Services and the Rover Group.
Richard Harpin, chief executive at Homeserve, said: “We are really pleased to welcome Sawkins to Homeserve. He has an impressive track record and we’re confident that he has the breadth and depth of experience to help us deliver our ambitious plans.”
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Sawkins was one of several executives to leave motoring services group the AA in the wake of its £6bn tie-up with Saga last June. Janet Thompson, formerly director of corporate development at Saga, took responsibility for HR matters across the combined group.
Sawkins was ranked 30th in the 2007 Personnel Today’s top 40 HR Power Players, and his AA HR team won two prizes at the Personnel Today Awards 2006.
