Louise
Smalley has moved to the Whitbread-owned David Lloyd Leisure from within the
group, where she was previously reward director for the restaurants division. She will be responsible for all HR activity
at the company, which operates 55 health clubs in the UK.
What
will be the duties in your new role?
Ensuring
we have a great place to work for our 4,500 team members, and that we are all
equipped with the right skills to meet the needs of our members.
What
do you hope to achieve in your new role?
We
strive to help members to get more out of life through David Lloyd Leisure
membership. I hope to achieve the same for our staff.
Which
aspects are you most looking forward to?
Growing
the fantastic wealth of talent we already have in our clubs and support office,
and making good use of the extensive facilities at our clubs.
What’s
the best thing about HR?
Coaching
people to achieve their full potential, and witnessing the results.
And
the worst?
That
there aren’t enough hours in the day.
What
is the strangest situation you have been in at work?
It
was since joining David Lloyd Leisure. I took part in a charity triathlon event
with the rest of the board, which started with swimming in the Serpentine at
7am. It was a great bonding event, and very motivational, but rather surreal
and definitely a little murky at times.
How
do you think the role of HR will change over the next five years?
We
will all need to become world-class change agents with a clear focus on how we
can contribute to the goals of the business.
Who
is the ultimate guru?
I’m
a huge fan of Dave Ulrich.
What
is your essential viewing?
I’m
mad about sport, and, I’m ashamed to admit, Gardeners’ World has to be up there
too.
What
is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
White-water
rafting down the Zambezi river.
What
advice would you give to people starting out in HR?
Set
your priorities where you can really add value to the business.
If
you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
If
not mine, then I’d love to be a member of the UK Olympic bid in London team.
Smalley’s
CV
2003
Director of HR, David Lloyd Leisure
2003
Reward director, Whitbread Restaurants
2002
HR director, Beefeater Restaurants
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
1999
HR development manager, The Pelican group
1996
HR operations manager, Pizza Hut UK
