Sarah Smerdon of Project Telecom
A glass of Rioja and a Wilbur Smith action novel. That’s how Sarah Smerdon,
HR director of telecoms company Project Telecom, likes to relax after a hard
day in the office.
She joins Project Telecom from telecoms company The Caudwell Group where she
worked as group HR manager. In her new role, Smerdon manages the HR function
and is in charge of a team of six.
Smerdon’s responsibilities include liaising with the directors and looking
at customer service initiatives as well as being involved with the Tupe
implications for staff joining the company as a result of acquisitions. She is
also charged with examining the organisation’s training and development.
Variety is the best thing about working in HR, she says. "There are
never two days the same." However she finds herself getting bogged down
with trying to understand new employment law.
She identifies her desire to succeed and achieve as a major strength but
admits that she is impatient. "I like things to happen quickly and I know
they can’t always with strategic things."
CV
March 2001 HR director, Project Telecom
Aug 1998 Group HR manager, The Caudwell Group
April 1997 The Rank Group, Leisure division, HR manager
1994-97 Boots the Chemist, variety of HR roles
On the move…
Julie Stubbington has been appointed HR manager for service provider GPN.
She will be responsible for all HR policy, resourcing and staff development for
the GPN group. She joins from WHSmith where she held HR project management and
advisory positions.
Clive Leake has been appointed group capability development manager for
financial services organisation Britannic Group. He reports to the chairman and
group chief executive officer and is responsible for individual and team
development of the CEOs and executive teams within the group. He was previously
leadership development manager with Britannic Assurance.
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Paul Barrow has been promoted to HR manager, energy cables, at Pirelli and
will be responsible for all HR issues on Hampshire-based sites. He has moved
from his position as training manager at Pirelli Construction.
Jo Curtis has joined HR selection firm Courtenay where she will focus on
junior to senior roles across all sectors. She joins from Sony where she
handled UK graduate recruitment.
