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Paul Reynolds has taken over as HR director at bar, restaurant and nightclub chain Urbium. The company, recently demerged from Chorion, operates a portfolio of businesses, including the Tiger Tiger chain.
Reynolds joins from Six Continents Retail where he held several senior positions, most recently as operations manager. At Urbium he will be responsible for setting up an HR team and developing procedures to facilitate an expansion of the business.
His remit extends to integrating HR practices into line management: "I hope my appointment will be a catalyst for the successful emergence of Urbium as the number one quality late night offer in UK and Europe," he says.
Reynolds, who believes many of the top-level board directors are still sceptical about the benefit of HR to the bottom line, is keen to make an impact. "It is about choosing the right people, showing them the vision, getting them involved and letting them succeed. It all starts with who you entrust to run the sales-making element of your business," he adds.
He also says he is looking forward to using the HR function as a tool for making a difference to the whole company. "My passion for HR is based on a desire to prove real business worth through a positive impact on operating profits, and ultimately shareholder value."
Reynolds, who has an MA in HR management, considers himself a reasonable part-time poet and wants to write a bestseller about what really goes on in hotels.
CV
2002 Director of HR, Urbium
2000 Operations manager, Six Continents Retail
1999 Head of HR, bars and venues division, Six Continents Retail
1996 HR manager, Harvester Restaurants, Six Continents
On the move
Angela O'Connor has joined the Crown Prosecution Service as HR director. She leaves Enfield Council after three years as head of HR. During her time there the department was voted the top personnel team in the country. Prior to this O'Connor was head of HR at Hackney council and also held several senior positions at Haringey Council.
ATIS Real Weatheralls has promoted Alexia MacGregor to associate HR director. Previously HR adviser at the property firm, she has worked at the company - which employs more than 2,000 staff - for five years.
In her new role her primary focus will be providing employment law advice and practical assistance
