Trevor Richards, HR manager, Smiths Gore
Chartered surveyor and rural property consultant Smiths Gore has appointed
Trevor Richards as HR manager, based in Peterborough. He is responsible for HR
across the company’s 17 UK offices and his role encompasses a wide range of
issues from recruitment and training policies, to the day-to-day management of
employment issues. Much of his work is building best practice across the
company.
Where were you working before and what were your duties?
Hegarty & Co Solicitors in Peterborough. As it was a smaller
organisation I wore many hats apart from HR including: health & safety,
quality assurance and anything else that no-one else wanted to deal with.
What will be the duties in your new role?
This is a new position, so I have started with a blank sheet of paper.
Consequently I will need to put in place a complete HR function across the
firm.
What do you hope to achieve in your new role?
To put in place a complete HR function across the whole firm, without being
fired!
What is the strangest situation you have been in at work?
I was once seen under the desk of the secretary to the senior partner. All
in the line of duty though – honest.
How do you think the role of HR will change over the next five years?
I suspect it will become far more business-focused and move away from the
perceived social worker image.
What’s the best thing about HR?
The ability to influence the business at all levels.
And the worst?
The inability to influence the business at all levels.
How do you fill your spare time?
What spare time?
Do you network?
Yes, through the local CIPD branch and on the golf course, which is much
more fun.
If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
HR manager to the England Rugby team.
Who would play you in the film of your life and why?
Bob Hoskins. There is a certain similarity in appearance and he is very
versatile, just like me.
Richards’ CV
2002 HR manager, Smiths Gore
1998 Office manager, Hegarty & Co Solicitors
1997 Self employed
1975 HR and administration in the Military Police
On the move
– English Lakes Hotels has appointed
a new group training manager, Lynn Riley. She is promoted to the role after
nine years with the company. The firm is committed to training and recently won
an Excellence in Cumbria, new media innovation award for its e-commerce staff
training. Previously she was personnel administrator.
– Angela Mason has joined the
Department of Trade and Industry as director of the Government’s women and
equality unit. The unit is designed to ensure women’s concerns are represented
at the heart of policy-making. Mason will co-ordinate the equality agenda. She
is currently the executive director of Stonewall and will report to Patricia
Hewitt and Barbara Roche.
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– David Morgan has joined training
provider Lexicon as operations director. He will be responsible for the
day-to-day implementation of the group’s development plan and its overall
business performance. During the next 12 months the organisation will undergo a
major expansion programme, with staff numbers rising from 34 to 800. Prior to
his appointment Morgan was the director of strategy, marketing and
communications at the Employment National Training Organisation in Leicester.
– Christopher Lees has joined the
Institute of Public Finance’s training division and will design and deliver
training courses. He was previously a senior accountant at Birmingham City
Council where he was responsible for managing large trading accounts. He has
also been a part-time lecturer at Halesowen College, delivering accounting
courses.
