Keith Handley, vice-president for diversity, Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development
The Chartered Institute of Personnel
and Development (CIPD) has appointed Keith Handley as its new vice-president
for diversity, who joins after a long career in the public sector. Most
recently, he was the change director at Bradford Council, where he was
responsible for delivering a major organisational change programme across the
authority. The prime objective of his new role is to provide leadership to the
CIPD on diversity issues.
What do
you hope to achieve in your new role?
I want all organisations to understand, appreciate and
implement the genuine business case for diversity.
What is the strangest situation
you have been in at work?
On my first day as Bradford’s acting personnel director I was
phoned by the local newspaper, and told that a manager of one of our special
needs training workshops was a convicted child murderer – out on licence.
How
do you think the role of HR will change over the next five years?
It is going to be a wonderfully challenging time for HR people.
We will experience the end of fixed retirement ages and introduce more flexible
ways of employment.
Who is the ultimate guru?
It has to be Charles Handy. All his predictions have happened
and for me he’s the one guru really worth reading and listening to.
What is your essential viewing?
Have I Got News For You, although I think Angus Deayton will be
a hard act to follow. I still love watching Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister
as well – I’ve used quite a few of Sir Humphrey’s little tricks over the years.
What’s the best thing about HR?
It is always changing and it reflects social trends so well.
The new concept of Corporate Social Responsibility is a typical example.
And the worst?
Undoubtedly the lack of recognition for a job well done.
If you could do any job, what
would it be?
I would like to be the first member of a successful rock band
to open the batting for Yorkshire and England. I’ve not given up on either
ambition yet, especially after the Ashes tour.
Who would play you in a film of
your life and why?
I’d like to think it would be Clint Eastwood in his pomp. But
my wife, Marilyn, has insisted I change this response to John Cleese – can’t
imagine why.
Handley’s CV
2002 CIPD vice-president for diversity
2002 Managing consultant, Keith Handley Consulting
1999 Change-director, Bradford Council
1989 Personnel director, Bradford Council
1986 Assistant director of personnel and manpower planning, Bradford Council
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