International HR Day 2023 – Meet our HR colleagues
Saturday 20 May 2023 marks International HR Day and at MKUH, we wanted to use this as an opportunity to highlight and celebrate just some of the fantastic HR colleagues that work across #TeamMKUH. Often their work goes unnoticed so we’ve spoken to a couple of colleagues to find out more about their role, their career journey and their aspirations for the future.
Sally Parker, Head of HR Services, Systems & Compliance:
What is your current role and what does it entail?
I am currently Head of HR Services, Systems & Compliance. I manage 3 teams (HR Services, HR Systems and Workforce Information). Between the three we cover Payroll, Temporary Staffing, General HR queries, Staff Benefits, HR Systems (ESR, Healthroster, SafeCare) and Workforce Information reporting and planning. I lead on HR transformation projects/programmes, ensuring the successful delivery of benefits and efficiencies.
How long have you worked in HR? What other roles have you held?
I have worked in the NHS since I left university in 2008. Although I studied Sport at uni, I started working on the Bank at my local hospital whilst looking for a permanent job in Sport. My first assignment at the hospital was in HR and this was my first ever office job. I was fortunate enough to work in different departments in HR whilst I was on the Bank (Recruitment, Education, Temporary Staffing) and this is what led me to finding the HR Systems team.
I really enjoyed this type of work and this is what led me to try and find a permanent job. From then, I have worked in a variety of hospitals and progressed to where I am now:
- Walsall Hospitals – Band 3 ESR Assistant (Bank)
- Papworth Hospital – Band 4 Workforce Assistant and Band 5 e-Rostering Team Leader
- Hinchingbrooke Hospital – Band 6 e-Rostering & Bank Manager and Band 7 e-Rostering Manager after merging with Peterborough Hospital (Now North West Anglia NHS)
- MKUH – Band 8a Head of HR Services, Systems and Compliance
What is the best thing about your job?
As my job covers different areas of HR, everyday is different. The best part of my job is being able to improve and implement systems that help support staff and managers in their day-to-day jobs. If I can implement changes to make processes easier for managers so that they can concentrate on their other jobs, then this is the best thing about my job.
What do you enjoy most about working at MKUH?
I have worked at MKUH since April 2020. The best thing about working here is my colleagues! Other than that, it’s refreshing to work at a Trust that has technology and transformation at the top of their agenda. This is really important to me and my role.
What are your career aspirations?
When I first started in the NHS 15 years ago, I would have never thought I would be where I am now. I remember thinking back then that I would like to get to HR Manager and I’ve progressed passed this. I would like to complete further studying in HR (CIPD) so that I have better opportunities for any progression in the future but this is hold for now as I’ve just started a family.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in HR?
I hope my career journey is of some help to anyone that is looking to start a career in HR as I started off as a Band 3 with no prior experience and have worked my way up the ladder. I would suggest that if anyone is interested in starting a career in HR then they should talk to someone in the HR team. There are many different departments that form HR and understanding this is really important as you want to try and find the route that suits your skills. Did you know that there are 102 staff in HR at MKUH?! I’m also happy to talk to anyone wanting further advice.
Robert Lovett, HR Systems Supervisor:
What is your current role and what does it entail?
I am the HR Systems Supervisor. I have responsibility for my team, and providing advanced/expert knowledge on the use of our HR Systems (ESR, HealthRoster, SafeCare, BankBooking, MedicsRostering). I always try to find the answers to any question (the more peculiar the better!) and my goal is always to support and provide solutions for those with issues.
How long have you worked in HR? What other roles have you held?
I have been working in HR since 2014. My first role was in Recruitment, which I completed for 4 years before taking a career break. I started with MKUH as a Bank Admin Assistant in 2019, before finding my way into the HR Systems Team a year after in 2020. Since then, I have stayed within the team and gained experience through career progression into more senior roles.
What is the best thing about your job?
Being a problem solver. I get a lot of job satisfaction from being able to provide a solution or resolution to someone in need. Whether that’s ensuring someone can log into our systems, to supporting colleagues with difficult queries and issues; supporting people to find solutions is what keeps me driven.
What do you enjoy most about working at MKUH?
My team, and by extension, the community within MKUH. There’s always a friendly face and smile on the other end of a Teams Call, or when you see someone around the hospital. I believe I am having a positive impact on staff’s lives, which will trickle down to ensure that our patients are getting the best care.
What are your career aspirations?
I am currently completing a Level 5 CIPD Apprenticeship in L&D; therefore I hope to take my natural skills of being able to train and support people through their learning processes, and provide further support in the growth of others. I hope to one day be supporting or managing an L&D Department, or leading on L&D strategy.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in HR?
Take the first step. I started off my career in HR by applying for an entry-level HR role. I had a degree in Law and I wasn’t sure whether that was something I’d be able to progress with, but I found that a lot of experience I had (through education and life) set me up to have good transferable skills to HR. You will find that you probably have more to offer than you might think.
Georgia Meakes, HR Business Partner:
What is your current role and what does it entail?
I am currently the HR Business Partner (HRBP) for Core Clinical and areas within the Corporate division including Workforce, Corporate Nursing, our Medical Directors Office, and Research & Development. The role involves providing strategic business partnering support to the division and various departments, offering advice and guidance on a range of areas including organisational change, recruitment and retention programmes, workforce planning, talent management and enabling the teams to achieve their key performance indicators.
How long have you worked in HR? What other roles / positions have you held?
I finished university in September 2018 and started on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme in Human Resources. My first placement was at Dorset County Hospital where I was responsible for delivering strategic HR priorities around education and health and wellbeing. Following a year in that role, my second placement was at Milton Keynes University Hospital where I continued to build up my knowledge and awareness of the various functions within HR, with a focus on employee relations.
I was lucky enough to secure a substantive role at MKUH as Associate HR Business Partner for Corporate Services and I have since progressed through to the role that I am currently in.
What is the best thing about your job?
I love helping and supporting people and I am passionate about creating employee-centric policies and procedures, and supporting initiatives that enable our colleagues to thrive. This work is vital for developing a positive and inclusive working environment and over the last few years, I have been able to help shape a number of policies and initiatives to support our ambition of being an employer of choice, most recently working on the food support initiatives including free breakfasts for employees.
What do you enjoy most about working at MKUH?
The people. MKUH is such a friendly, welcoming and supportive environment and in my role in HR, I am lucky enough to work with colleagues right across the organisation who all have a different story or experience to tell. It’s a joy to be able to walk down the corridors and see so many friendly, smiley faces – everyone always say hello!
What are your career aspirations?
I want to continue to develop my knowledge and understanding of Human Resources and the wider NHS so I can deliver the best possible advice and guidance to managers and employees. I am passionate about what I do, and I want to continue to have a positive impact on employees and their working lives and there are significant opportunities to get involved in projects at MKUH to do just this.
I don’t set myself too many career ‘goals’ but the great thing about working in HR is the variety as well as being proactive to adapt to the changing needs of colleagues so there’s always something else to learn, experience or understand.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a career in HR?
Firstly, I would say that HR enables you to experience all areas of the business so if you are someone who likes variety, working with people and solving problems, this is the perfect career for you. The key is being ‘nosey’ – make the most of the exposure and get involved in things that are outside your comfort zone as that enhances your knowledge and skillset.
Secondly, don’t be afraid to ask the question. It’s only through asking that we develop our understanding – no question really is a silly question!
Last Modified: 10:20am 19/05/2023
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