People

Maureen Macnamara joins The Law Society

Budding authoress Maureen Macnamara believes she has a great idea for a
book.

"I was thinking of writing a book relating to children about how
business operates, from a child’s eye view – What grown ups really do at
work," she says.

But to write it, she will have to find time outside of her busy position as
head of HR for The Law Society, which she took up last month.

A fellow of the CIPD, she previously worked as board director for loss
adjuster Cunningham Lindsey UK. Part of her new role will be focused on
recruiting, retaining and developing staff.

"I will also play a key role in contributing to the wider business
development, decision making and leadership for the society."

Macnamara finds it frustrating that people have such a limited view of HR.
"People perceive HR as being admin or welfare. We’re not. But sometimes
you can get hemmed down with trivial problems."

If she had more spare time, Macnamara says she would spend it with family
and friends. She adores the South of France and often goes back to her roots on
the west coast of Ireland.

"It rains quite a bit but it doesn’t matter because it’s so
beautiful," she explains.

But she plans to spend this year’s holiday enjoying her garden.

CV: Maureen Macnamara

1998-2001 Cunningham Lindsey UK and Ireland, HR and training director
1996-1998 Schal International management, Associate director, HR
1995-1996 2Care, Personnel manager
1994-1995 Surrey FHSA, Training and staff development manager

On the move…

Independent house builder Morris Homes has appointed Gillian Viragh as HR
manager. Based at head office in Newton-le-Willows, she will develop the HR
function covering issues such as recruitment and selection, training, induction
and employee relations and will have overall responsibility for HR activities
across the company. Viragh worked for BAE Systems for six years where she was
involved in issues such as business integration, site closures and HR strategy.

Clive Wright has been appointed European partner and client manager with
consultancy William M Mercer. He joins from The BOC Group where he was
compensation and benefits director since 1998. Prior to that he worked for ICL
for 12 years.

NHS Estates Trading Fund has appointed David Connor as head of HR, Ingrid
Lewis as senior HR adviser, and Helen Dowling as HR adviser. The organisation
provides a consultancy service implementing the NHS Plan and provides a centre
of knowledge and expertise to the healthcare sector. The immediate challenge
for the HR team is to ensure a smooth transition into a Public Private
Partnership for April 2002.