Robbie Wheeler has been appointed group HR director at the Land Securities Group. She was previously HR director for Land Securities Trillium, the property outsourcing company acquired by the group in 2001.
What will be the duties in your new role?
My remit is much wider, handling all aspects of HR for the UK’s largest FTSE 100 property company. Key focal areas will be talent management and measuring human capital.
What do you hope to achieve in your new role?
To create an integrated HR team that delivers tangible results in the property sector.
Which aspects are you most looking forward to?
Working with a new executive team, handling the challenges of cultural change for the business and getting parts of the business to work more closely together.
What is the strangest situation you have been in at work?
Getting mugged on the street after a trade union pay review meeting and having to borrow £10 from the national officer to get home. Or having to dress up in a full white-rabbit costume and run around an athletics track!
How will HR change over the next five years?
European influence will make it necessary for HR professionals to develop greater consultative skills. HR will be called upon to impact more effectively on organisational design and structure and also to be more creative in the race to recruit and retain top talent.
Who is the ultimate guru?
John Mortimer QC – exceptionally bright and cuts through detail to get to a clear perspective of the issues.
What is your essential viewing?
Have I Got News For You.
What’s the best thing about HR?
Being part of the process that enables individuals and the business to achieve success.
And the worst?
Being seen as the bad guys when line managers don’t want to own a decision.
What is the essential tool in your job?
Integrity and the ability to convert strategic direction into clear, practical on-the-ground actions.
And the most over-rated?
E-mail – it can be misused and abused, especially when talking directly to people face to face is often more effective.
How do you fill your spare time?
I’m an avid figure skater – still having coaching and still attempting those elusive jumps!
What advice would you give to people starting out in HR?
Take every opportunity offered – HR is all about experiential learning. Build up a network of influencers in your business, people you can bounce ideas off who know your business.
Do you network?
I am a member of a European forum, which is invaluable. I also try and network through the company’s corporate social responsibility activities.
What would be your ideal job?
TV news anchorwoman.
Who would play you in the film of your life and why?
Emma Thompson, because she’s ballsy, direct and no-nonsense.
What’s the best office party you’ve ever attended?
Spending the evening playing poker in Brixton, London.
Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?
My boss at pay review time.
Wheeler’s CV
2004 Group HR director, Land Securities Trillium
2003 HR director, Land Securities Trillium
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1997 HR director, BET/Rentokil Management Services
1994 Various HR management and operational management posts, Tesco
