What is the most important lesson you have learnt in your career?
That it is often your own employees who have the answers to many of your business problems.
What is the strangest situation you have had to deal with at work?
An investigation I was required to conduct following a harassment allegation. The employee believed he had ESP skills that he could “pass on” to chosen colleagues who could then prevent things from happening.
Imagine being stranded on a desert island with enough food for only two people. Who would you choose as your companion and why?
A My wife (she’d kill me if I didn’t!)
If you had three wishes to change your company, what would they be?
Continue to improve communication. Extend employee involvement initiatives across the workforce. And provide more time to concentrate on strategic development.
What is the best thing about working in human resources?
Every day is different, as it is in every organisation. I enjoy making decisions that have a significant impact on the success of the company.
What is the worst?
Line managers perceiving HR as a “dumping ground” for personal responsibilities they themselves hold.
How do you deal with tough situations at work?
By being objective, constructive and thoughtful to ensure the best decision is taken for the business.
If you could visit a historical time period, which would you visit and why?
Not being a historian, I would like to visit the 17th century to witness my cottage being built and to partake in the way of life at that time.
If you could adopt the management style of a famous personality, whose would you adopt and why?
Martin Luther King. I admired his resilience and leadership skills.
How do you get to work?
By car.
What would you do if you had more spare time?
Spend it with my family and partake in a more healthy lifestyle.
What is your ideal job?
Group human resources manager or directorate position in a successful manufacturing business – hopefully the one I now work for.
If you were to write a book, which subject would you choose to write about?
An autobiography because even I would find it a fascinating read.
What is your greatest strength?
My negotiation skills and ability to communicate with people at all levels in a business.
“Presume not that I am the thing I was”. If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?
My height, if anything. I would like to be two to three inches taller.BOX
1997-99 Personnel manager, Thameslink Rail
1995-97 Employee relations manager, Thameslink Rail
1994-95 Assistant personnel manager, East Coast Main Line
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1992-94 Employee relations officer, British Rail
1982-92 Various clerical and departmental officers roles, British Rail
