Sue
Aslett has joined British Mediterranean Airways as HR officer. She moves from
De Keyser Fashion, where she provided HR support to the retail division.
What
will be the duties in your new role?
Creating
a new HR department for the airline, which serves 13 destinations throughout
the Middle East, central Asia and Africa.
What
qualifications do you hold?
MCIPD,
postgraduate certificate in management.
What
do you hope to achieve in your new role?
The
successful integration of best practice systems to provide the tools for
significant growth of the organisation over the next five years.
Which
aspects are you most looking forward to?
Joining
an airline gives me the ability to gain knowledge of a new and interesting
industry. It operates a diverse network and I very much look forward to
broadening my horizons and visiting places in central Asia, such as Baku and
Bishkek.
What
is the strangest situation you have been in at work?
Judging
by the airline’s destinations, the strangest situations are yet to come.
How
do you think the role of HR will change over the next five years?
HR
will be increasingly involved in measuring the organisation’s people against
the bottom line.
Who
is the ultimate guru?
Karren
Brady, managing director of Birmingham City Football Club.
What
is your essential viewing?
Peter
Kay’s Phoenix Nights.
What’s
the best thing about HR?
The
variety – no two days are ever the same.
And
the worst?
Managing
downsizing.
How
do you fill your spare time?
When
I am not catching up, I like to travel, which is why I am so excited about
joining an airline with flights to such fascinating parts of the world.
What
is the greatest risk you have ever taken?
Being
offered two jobs on the same day and choosing the unconventional one over the
more secure option.
What
advice would you give to people starting out in HR?
Don’t
expect to be the ‘good fairy’ all of the time.
If
you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
Managing
a struggling band or football team – the challenge of achieving success through
nurturing talent.
Who
would play you in the film of your life and why?
Kylie
Minogue, as we look so much alike.
Aslett’s
CV
2003
HR/retail manager, De Keyser Fashions
2000
HR manager, The Designer Room
1998
HR officer, Baird Clothing
1997
HR officer, The Windsmoor Group
