Where were you working before and what were your duties?
I was the HR director at IDX Systems/GE Healthcare. My responsibilities included managing the HR function in the UK and Israel, setting up a new HR function supporting the provision of clinical software solutions for the NHS IT programme, and overseeing the integration of IDX into GE Healthcare IT following its acquisition in January 2006.
What qualifications do you hold?
BA Honours in French and German and Chartered Fellowship of the CIPD.
What are the duties in your new role?
As the senior HR manager for Cerner Corporation in the UK, I am responsible for the recruitment of top talent for Cerner’s UK operations, as well as the continued stability and sustained development of the current Cerner UK workforce. I report to the global HR director based in Missouri, US, and have a team of eight working for me in the UK.
What are the main challenges HR faces in the next five years?
Talent management, to ensure we have the teams we need to take advantage of the global opportunities available employee engagement, to raise the level of performance and satisfaction in a competitive environment and balancing the practicalities of increasingly burdensome employment legislation.
What is the essential tool in your job?
My ears, for listening to our internal clients.
And the most overrated?
Internet-only communication, which limits the opportunities for face-to-face relationship-building and problem solving.
What is the worst thing about HR?
Having to make professional, passionate and competent staff redundant.
What is the strangest situation you have been in at work?
Getting dressed up as a kangaroo as part of an Anglo-Australian team performing in a pan-European company meeting in Portugal.
Who is your ultimate hero?
Professionally, Ed Smith, formerly of business services firm Perot Systems, who taught me the importance of understanding the business. Generically, Nelson Mandela, who survived unbelievable hardship to give his people hope.
What is the most annoying piece of management jargon?
‘Let’s run this up the flagpole and see if it flies’.
How do you fill your spare time?
Travelling to our new house in France and anywhere else, as well as going to the theatre, gym and keeping in touch with friends and family.
What words would you use to describe yourself?
Optimistic, open to ideas, and honest.
Which web page do you visit most?
Google.
What song gets you on the dance floor?
Private Dancer or Against all Odds.
What is your worst habit?
Impatience with persistent negative attitudes.
What is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
Driving through the Sahara with a leaking petrol tank bunged up with a squashed date, before there were any real roads.
Who would play you in the film of your life and why?
Dawn French – she has a great sense of humour and is willing to try her hand at anything.
cv
Jan 2007-present
HR partner, Cerner Corporation
May 2004-Dec 2006
HR director, International IDX Systems/GE Healthcare
Dec 1999-March 2004
HR director UK and Ireland, 3 Com Corporation
March 1997-Dec 1999
HR business partner, Unisys Corporation
June 1992-March 1997
Head of organisational strategy, Perot Systems
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