About me

I am an entrepreneurial self-starter with more than 20 years’ experience in both private and public- sector companies in the UK and in the USA. My career working with many outstanding businesses has afforded me the opportunity to develop my skillset, specifically in my skills as a leader. My experience has given me the chance to widen my understanding of diverse cultures, practices and procedures and has enabled me to work as both a team member and team leader to bring out the best in people and ultimately deliver business efficiencies whilst continuing to provide great customer service.

Throughout my career I have been fortunate to work for some outstanding companies and gained valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing business today which I personally believe is to provide ongoing service improvements for the customer, whilst implementing a process of change that is beneficial to the organisation and employees of the company.

Leadership

Bringing out the best in people is important to me and I believe this is the foundations of a great team. Assisting employees to meet their objectives by providing a mentoring and coaching approach to allow them to be better at work than they believed they could be, is something I find particularly satisfying. My experience demonstrates that motivation is best done when leading by example and something that I am proud of doing. I am proud that my career record can demonstrate my contributions in the development of high performing teams.

Digital Technology

I have a passion for technology and adapting this to deliver great customer service, in addition I also enjoy providing the “back office” with systems that can make jobs easier to perform. From implementing a HR intranet service to developing payroll and HR systems. Understanding that putting in the right system is as important and working with the correct people to deliver the desired results.

Business Support

To ‘get the job done’ is the reason I get up in the morning. Implementing processes and procedures motivating colleagues and delivering the right outcomes are my passion.

Career Timeline

P&O Ferries – Dover

2017 onwards People Services Manager

As People Services Manager I am specifically responsible for the management of the team of HR Advisors, HR Officer team and HR Systems Advisor who deliver professional advice and support to P&O Ferries managers and employees. In addition, I am the project lead in delivering continuous improvement regarding managers and employee’s guidance and processes from a HR perspective. Other aspects of my responsibilities include employee relations matters, particularly in relation to working in partnership with the 4 major trade unions recognised by my organisation in dealing with a wide range of industrial relations issues both at local and national officer level.

EK Human Resources – HR Shared Service (Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council, Thanet District Council)

2010 – 2017

Varied roles including the delivering of diverse HR projects. Key projects implementation of HR Intranet and external website, development of payroll and HR system (iTrent) from back office to self-service for managers and employees, development of customer issue resolution processes and adoption of online forms package.

Veolia Transportation – Santa Clarita California

2006 – 2008 Human Resources & Payroll Manager

As a senior member of the director/management team for the Santa Clarita Transit operations my role was specifically accountable for all aspects of the Human Resources and Payroll departments. My specific area of responsibility comprised of some 240 employees and involved all aspects of human resources management, including recruitment, welfare, sickness, absence, disciplinary procedures, equal opportunities compliance, trade union matters including negotiation and consultation, customer service, payroll delivery and financial overview of the client contract. My role also included being the designated business partner with the client authority for performance and contract delivery for the City of Santa Clarita transport authority.

South Eastern Trains – London and Ashford Kent

2003 – 2006 Unit Performance Manager

In my role as Unit Performance Manager for South Eastern Trains, formally Connex Rail UK (part of the Veolia Transportation group) my responsibilities were, as part of the senior team was to provide professional level support and advice for the General Manager’s organisation relating to the day to day running of the Kent main line area of Operations.

Responsibilities included the compilation and monthly monitoring of the Kent mainlines area performance and the management of six geographically diverse train drivers’ depots and 2 light maintenance sidings. In all a total of some 500 staff.

I was specifically responsible for the management of the performance department and traincrew allocation roster office. I along with my team of managers and colleagues, which consisted of Performance Manager, Roster Manager and 4 admin support staff provided professional operational support to the business unit. In addition, I held the post as management secretary for the company wide staff trade union council meetings.

Adding to the above experience, I have been fortunate enough to have been appointed to a number of special project groups working directly for various heads of departments, directors and at CEO level.

British Rail / Connex South-Eastern London

1996 – 2003 Various Roles

I started my career in the railway industry as an accounts clerk and from that starting point was promoted through various departments. I held various posts within the rail business ranging from Management Accounting, Operations Office Manager, Business Administration Manager and finally as Unit Performance Manager in both the rural and metro service areas of the rail business.