What is your role within SLT and what are your main responsibilities?
My role involves a bit of everything and includes all elements of HR and Training, be it recruitment, training, performance management, line manager guidance, or just about anything else! I balance this alongside the more strategic aspects of the role, developing and delivering our HR strategy and acting as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Perhaps most importantly, my role has a key responsibility for driving culture and engagement and being a role model. I am constantly looking for opportunities to improve culture, and to ensure we recruit and retain great people who share our values.
I feel privileged to have the opportunity to create and implement strategies that will have a positive impact on individual careers and service delivery. A main focus at moment is culture building, making Inspire North a fun and enjoyable place to work for everyone.
Why did you choose to work for a third sector organisation?
The reason is the absolute passion our people have for making a positive difference - it inspires me. I believe people make the difference, not processes. I am lucky to work alongside an incredibly engaged group of people. I am very fortunate to genuinely love getting up for work every day. Life is too short to spend it dreading Monday mornings!
What skills and experiences have you brought from other roles?
A good HR professional knows their business inside out. The aspects that I really enjoy sharing are professional development opportunities, supporting people to realise their own value and potential. Being able to build diverse teams in the workplace and being able to make a difference makes me proud. Also developing opportunities which helps with team dynamics and getting people interacting positively.
What is your favourite aspect of the role?
I have great job satisfaction. For me personally it’s important to be able to input at the highest level, not just on HR matters but also more holistically when it comes to how we manage and develop the overall organisation. To fulfil my mission to help Inspire North group claim their spot as the employer of choice, as an engaged and skilled workforce can make such a difference to the results we achieve. I also enjoy employment law – so much is centred on it these days.
What do you think is the main challenge we face in supporting people to have a better life?
Attracting talent is something that all organisations need to work hard at. You can’t sit on your laurels and expect great talent to walk through your door. You have got to make sure you are working hard on your employer branding and reputation. Research shows that a skills shortage could risk a shortfall in workers with the right talents and abilities. Inspire North needs to continue attract star performers to ensure we carry on offering top class services.
What inspires/motivates you?
When I was at school I had a secret ambition (despite a serious lack of talent) to be a dancer! I now realise it wasn’t the glamorous lifestyle I was attracted to. What I wanted was to connect with others and use my imagination to make a difference to people’s lives.
These ideals still exist in what I do today as HR has a big role to play in employee engagement. If colleagues are happy and healthy, feel supported and enjoy what they do then they will also perform better in their role and deliver excellent services. I’m inspired and motivated by colleagues, volunteers and people who use our services succeeding, progressing and fulfilling their goals.
Do you have a catchphrase or mantra and what is it?
“I’ll get my magic wand” – I just want to do the best I job I possibly can and sometimes I need a little help!
What’s your favourite hobby?
I love to cook and experiment - sometimes it works and sometimes it’s burnt! I like everything about cooking, from planning what I’m going to cook, buying the ingredients, licking the bowl and enjoying the finished product. Cooking makes me feel calm and happy - when I cook I completely relax. There’s just about nothing that makes me happier than sharing food with family and friends.
