David
Varney, chairman of mmO2 and Business in the Community, has been named the new
president of council for the Institute for Employment Studies (IES). The
organisation is an independent research and consultancy centre, which has a
stated mission to bring about sustainable improvements in employment policy and
HR management. Varney began his career in the personnel department of Shell
before going on to become managing director of Shell UK. He is able to draw on
extensive knowledge of organisations in the public and private sector.
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Janine
Walker has recently started as the new HR manager at HelpAge International. She
joins from pub chain JD Wetherspoon, and has previously worked at the Victoria
& Albert Museum, Royal College of Art and Railtrack. Walker will report to
the chief executive and is part of the senior management team. She will be
responsible for identifying HR implications and solutions to help meet the
organisational objectives. The organisation has around 265 employees based in
London and worldwide.
Keoghs,
the national law firm, has taken on a new associate to strengthen its
employment team. Kevin McKenna joins from Harding Evans, where he was head of
employment. McKenna will be based at the Bolton office and will advise on all
employment matters including dismissals, redundancies and discrimination. He
will also be responsible for advising clients on employment contracts, policies
and handbooks.