People

David Connor on PPP in the NHS

David Connor is a determined individual. In April, he completed the London
Marathon, raising over £2,000 for the Cardiac Patients’ Society. He is already
planning to conscript as many people as possible into running in next year’s
event.

As head of HR and modernisation for NHS Estates Trading Fund, Connor is in
charge of a five-strong team, based in Leeds. The organisation provides a
consultancy service to help implement the NHS Plan, and the immediate challenge
for the HR team is to ensure a smooth transition into a public-private
partnership in April 2002. It is the first time any agency of the Department of
Health has done so.

Connor’s role is a strategic one. "I’ve devised the HR modernisation
business plan for the trading fund which sets the agenda for the year and the
main initiatives we have as we move towards PPP," he says.

Responsibilities include developing a working-in-partnership agreement with
the trade unions, overseeing a monthly staff survey, evaluating a diversity
action plan, and developing a strategy to reward and retain staff.

"I want to push things back to ensure we can look at the marketplace
and see the best way to get the best people and keep them. If there’s one word
to describe what we’re doing, it’s flexibility."

Connor’s MA in HR at Huddersfield University is due for completion this
year, and he spends his spare time cheering on Leeds United FC.

CV

January 2001 to date Head of HR and modernisation, NHSE Trading Fund
1999-2000 Senior HR advisor, NHS Estates
1996-1999 Personnel manager, Community Trust
1994-1996 Senior personnel officer, Community Trust

On the move…

A Whitbread Restaurants HR director is the new chairwoman of the British
Hospitality Association Employment Committee. Angie Risley replaces Granada’s
Stephanie Monks. Risley says, "There are some real problems facing the
industry, not least the skills crisis. The committee aims to address the issues
head on, and we hope to create a better working environment for hospitality
employees."

IPC Media has appointed its first recruitment manager. Debbie Pask will
report to the HR and services director, and will be responsible for providing a
recruitment service across the business. She will oversee IPC’s recruitment
suppliers, negotiate terms of business and manage recruitment advertising. Pask
says, "I am looking forward to working with all departments to ensure IPC
employs the best people in a time-efficient and cost-effective way."

Jill Bradley has become training manager at Recall Recruitment. She will
coordinate and manage staff learning, training and development. Her role will
include formulating strategy and development plans as well as introducing new
processes and systems. Recall hopes to achieve Investors in People status by
the end of the year.