My story
My early career with Waterstones as Head of HR Retail and later Regional Operations Manager showed me that I enjoyed the challenging deliverables and working with a great team of people. Because of this, I realised I preferred working for a business that values its people and wants its employees to make a difference.
Fast-forward to working at BFS - although I started as the temporary contract HR lead of a transformation project, I stayed for the great leadership and vision and colleagues that work together. I took a permanent HR Business Partner position to begin with, and now as part of the Senior Leadership Team, I have a diverse and challenging role, working on strategic and operational issues with colleagues and clients – something that I really love.
My development
Leadership, people management, commercial knowledge and client service are all central to the HRBP role and when an opportunity came up to lead the Recruitment Finance function, I jumped at the opportunity to apply. BFS and its leaders made a clear development plan and gave me support via coaching, peer mentoring and training, ensuring that my transition to a Senior Operations Leader has been successful.
My community
Giving Something Back is very much at the heart of the business and being able to raise over £10,000 walking Hadrian's Wall with business colleagues - whilst not part of the job description - was a great opportunity to work with others across the different businesses and help a good cause. What makes BFS a great place to work is being able to make a difference, empowered to take decisions and having a team who have "do the right thing" as a day-to-day way of working. Biking 40 miles cross country from Leicester to Birmingham with the team is maybe a little less fun ... but it is all about #oneteam!
