People

Liverpool football fan Nigel Morton has joined Canon Europe as its new chief
of HR in a bid to make it a more consistent pan-European entity.

Fresh from a stint managing a global team for Cable &
Wireless with employees across Europe, Japan and the US, he will attempt to
create a fully integrated European organisation.

"This will bring the benefits of local knowledge and
contacts to our customers, as well as through appropriate shared resources,
ensuring consistent levels of service and reduced overheads. The challenge will
be ensuring a good balance," explains Morton.

Canon’s existing HR framework is being refocused to help create
a more effective organisation with a high performance culture, and Morton says
the challenge is balancing the needs of the business with those of individual
employees.

Morton is a veteran of several companies and 20 years service
in HR and is confident that the function has a major impact on the bottom line.
"I think as a service to the business, HR has a unique position in balancing
the short-term profit requirements by saving cost and removing duplication with
the need to build long-term success through the development of the organisation
and the people within it," he says.

Morton is also introducing a new talent management programme
and is looking forward to being fully involved in the development of business
strategy:

"The opportunity to work with teams and leaders and obtain
that something extra which might not have happened without HR involvement is
very rewarding," he adds.

CV

2002 Chief of HR, Canon Europe

2000 Vice-president HR, Cable & Wireless

1999 HR director, CWC

1994 HR policy manager, Mercury Communications

On the move

Helena Freeman has joined Sussex Enterprise as its new workforce development
manager. Her main remit will be to help encourage Sussex businesses to invest
more in staff development. She will work with groups such as the Learning and
Skills Council to help local firms find advice and funding. Prior to joining
the business support organisation, she held a variety of learning and
development roles at the University of Sussex, the Big Issue and the Body Shop.

The Rayner Food Group has appointed Liese Smith as HR manager. In her new
role she will give generalist advice and support on all aspects of the HR
function across the group, which includes Martlet Foods and Cauldron Foods.
Smith will be responsible for the firm’s 410 staff and will report directly to
chief executive Michael Beard. Her main objectives will be to nurture employee
relations and create a culture of employee involvement in the business.

F&C Management, the pan-European asset manager, has drafted in Andrea
Chivers as HR director. Based at the company’s London office, Chivers will be
responsible for the HR function in conjunction with the current head of HR. The
appointment is part of an initiative to give stronger HR leadership and improve
the delivery and contribution of the function.