Noel
Patterson has been appointed personnel director at the Red Bull Company. He
first started working at the group as a consultant in the summer of 2001, when
he implemented a change programme. In his new role, he will direct all HR
activity for the UK and Ireland as well as having an influence in the company’s
international operations.
How
did you get involved with Red Bull?
I
began working with Red Bull as a consultant to prepare and implement the
development of the company from a marketing-based business of 30 people, to a
closely-integrated sales and marketing organisation of more than 170.
What
are your main duties?
To
direct all HR and related issues for Red Bull in the UK and Ireland, as well as
liaison with Red Bull International operations based in Austria.
What
do you want to achieve in the role?
Maintaining
the creativity, passion and innovation of Red Bull, while adding a strong
commercial focus and direction through the training, development and
recruitment of great people.
What’s
the best thing about HR?
The
opportunity to be involved in all areas of business activity, both formally and
informally. Compared to other management disciplines, so little of your
experience and knowledge base loses its relevance. There’s also the relief of
not being benchmarked or measured as much as the rest of the business.
What
are you most excited about?
Enabling
the exceptional talent we have recruited with the business during the past year
to blend and complement those who have given Red Bull its success to date.
How
will you use HR to impact the bottom line?
By
giving structure and insight to develop the commercial value and impact of our
people, while ensuring the Red Bull culture, which drives our innovation and
success, remains paramount.
What
about your personal life?
I
am married with three boys under 12 so I am an expert in World Wrestling
Entertainmentª moves, Playstation cheats and contemporary names for bodily
functions. I enjoy playing the sports I can still manage (like skiing or squash),
and drinking while watching those I can’t. A fun and socially-active working
environment is one of the best ways to cope with the challenges of work and
home life.
CV
2002
Personnel director, the Red Bull Company
1994
Various roles including personnel director, Matthew Clark Plc
1992
Judge, Institute of Management, Cambridge University
1988
Employee relations manager, Grand Metropolitan Brewing
1980
Employee relations adviser, Mobil Oil Company
 On the move
The
Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services has made two new appointments
to its senior management team. John Gough, head of careers and student welfare
at De Montfort University has joined the organisation as president for a
two-year term. He succeeds Lesley Knaggs and has been in AGCAS since 1992.
Margaret Dane joins from Heriot-Watt University and becomes the new chief
executive.
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Esther
McLeod is the new HR manager at car manufacturer Kia Motors. The company has
emerged from the MCL group and is now operating independently. McLeod’s main
responsibilities are around HR strategy, training and development, policy
making and recruitment. She will have an HR assistant and an HR co-ordinator to
help with the administrative side of the job.
Stephen
Smith has been promoted from development manager to HR director for Allied
Glass Containers, the glass-packing division of Associated British Foods. He
joined the firm in 1993 as personnel manager and, since then, has been integral
to the company’s HR and training strategies. Prior to joining Allied Glass
Containers, Smith worked in the UK and overseas for organisations including
British Tissues and the SmithKline Corporation.
