Chartered FCIPD

Caren Thomas

Chartered FCIPD

www.betterwaysofworking.co

Tel: 07930 300160uk.linkedin.com/in/carenthomashrcarenthomas22 carenthomashr

Personal Profile

With 20 years of HR generalist experience across multiple industries (private, public and third sector) I offer a strong strategic and operational skill set. Experienced in leading UK and European HR functions through business change including integrations, acquisitions, insourcing, outsourcing and HR transformation (as well as upskilling). I am forward thinking, passionate, able to inspire and with a collaborative outlook, a leader

who works with others to get the best from people and teams. Committed to making a difference,

bettering expectations and excellence I am also an HR employment law specialist, coach and with experience of delivering across all parts of HR.

Career Summary

HR Interim Sept 2016 – July 2017

The Royal British Legion

With an annual fundraising income of £150m, TRBL is the leading armed forces charity. Staffed by 1500 employees located across Great Britain, 250,000 members and 120,000 volunteers it serves the needs of the armed forces community and is the national custodian of remembrance. Following a previously failed attempt to transform HR I was engaged to embed an HR business partner model, redesign the organisation, build out an Executive Leadership team and introduce new ways of working.

Achievements:

·  Redesigned the organisation and achieved Executive Board/Board of Trustee approval with four new Directors in post within 6 months.

·  Led the transformation of organisational culture to one based on employee development, values, strategic focus and a leadership framework.

·  Successfully embedded an HR business partner model that changed ways of working.

·  Introduced a Resourcing function reducing days to hire by 50%.

HR Interim June 2015 – July 2016

The Football Association

As the governing body of association football in England The FA is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game. With 800 staff, 700 casuals and 400 consultants based at Wembley and Staffordshire, I was initially engaged on a 6-month contract to lead an organisational restructure, extended for an additional 6 months to support the CEO as the HRD and finally, to remodel the way in which The FA engaged its consultant and casual workforce.

Achievements:

·  Led a 10% downsizing of workforce to achieve £6m reduction in headcount costs.

·  Introduced new engagement model regarding self-employed consultant and casual staff.

·  Led renegotiation of all consultant contracts and agency terms.

·  Managed roll out of the first organisation wide employee engagement survey.

·  Devised, project managed and scripted first all company 1-day conference (at St Georges Park) as part of the new strategy communication with guests including Roy Hodgson, Gareth Malone and Jacqui Oatley.

HR Interim

Square Enix March 2015 – May 2015

As the UK subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Inc. (Japanese) ‘SE’ is a global developer, publisher and distributor of video games. One of the most influential providers of digital content including Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy I was engaged to manage the restructure of personnel throughout the organisation.

Achievements:

·  Developed the project plan (outsourcing, off shoring, downsizing) to restructure the organisation affecting legal, technical, financial, PR, HR, IT, marketing functions with 5 days’ notice prior to ‘go live’.

·  Led all stages of the Collective Consultation process from the Election of Representative to final dismissal meetings.

·  Completed the strategic communication plan including all message sets.

·  Identified and mitigated all employment law risks advising and counselling the senior team.

·  Provided Outplacement Support to employees at risk of redundancy including ‘go to market’ strategies, CV coaching, interview training.

·  Supported the Head of HR and HR Team on people issues during time of engagement.

Central Services Director (HR, L&D, PR and Communications and Health and Safety)

First Wessex June 2014 – January 2015

A non-profit organisation housing (1000 employees, 20,000 properties) and Construction Company (building 400 homes per year) with a unionised workforce (50% ‘trade based’ employees and 50% corporate), I was employed to review and improve the leadership model, HR and Health and Safety functions. As a member of the Executive Team I participated in all Board meetings.

Achievements:

·  Full legal compliance for an underperforming H&S and HR function within 5 months based on an initial ’deep dive’ review and sign off by the Executive Team and Board against a 30/60/90-day plan.

·  Developed an improved organizational structure and leadership model with ‘balanced scorecard’ including pan-organization KPI’s.

·  Achieved a 60% reduction in all disciplinary and grievances by the introduction of improved processes and defined responsibilities/accountabilities.

·  Improved Board competency by introduction of a competency framework and performance reviews.

·  Completed a review of the company vision, mission and values and delivered a full relaunch programme with project team, communication plan and deliverables.

HR Director EMEA (and additionally Communications Director in 2014)

Allegis Group Limited November 2009 – May 2014

With headquarters in the US, Allegis employed 12,000 people and was the largest staffing company in the World (privately held) specialising in consultancy, temporary and permanent staffing including outsourcing. I joined the company as an HR Manager promoted to Director in 2010 and at the time of a significant acquisition, asked to take on additional responsibility for all internal communications in the same year. With a team of 7 (plus 3 other facility staff), I was responsible for all HR across the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Achievements:

·  Integrated a newly acquired business and harmonized all terms and conditions of employment and benefits affecting 750 people.

·  Integrated and transformed the HR function from a transactional model to business partner.

·  Streamlined European sales structure and reduced costs by merging two offices in the Netherlands and centralized non-sales roles from Germany to the UK.

·  Introduced a ‘pay for performance’ culture across non-sales functions affecting 190 people.

·  Managed multiple TUPE transfers.

·  100% success rate at Employment Tribunal.

·  Achieved a 16% cost saving (2011v2012) in the employee benefit programme by restructuring and negotiation with prospective providers.

·  Introduced ‘auto enrolment’ (pensions) on a cost neutral basis by restructuring the pension provision.

·  Improved employee engagement by coordination of first pan-organisation employee engagement survey (Towers Watson) and development of a post survey process.

·  Member of project team to replace HR system (PeopleSoft) and responsible for sourcing and project managing the introduction of absence management software (TeamSeer) affecting all employees in the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Sweden.

·  Achieved a £150,000 annual cost saving (recruitment) by reorganising, training the team and introducing clear performance standards and a bonus plan.

·  Developed new Corporate Social Responsibility programme with annual KPI’s

·  Introduced 3-year diversity improvement plan (on target at time of leaving).

·  Achieved ISO certification (9001 and 14001) for newly acquired business.

Human Resources Development Manager

Southco Manufacturing Limited May 2005 – July 2009

US owned market leader designing and manufacturing ‘access’ solutions for the transportation, network, telecoms and aerospace industries. As a member of the leadership team, I was responsible for all HR and development in two business units as well as being the employment law specialist for the UK and Europe and an Executive coach.

Achievements:

·  Managed a collective redundancy programme affecting 120 people across Europe on time and budget.

·  Set up an HR function within a newly acquired business which included the introduction of employment policies and processes.

·  Achieved ‘world class’ performance standards in terms of absence management (0.9% days lost) and recruitment (17 days to hire) by introducing improved processes and developing manager competency.

·  Introduced an OLD framework with competency assessment, development plans, succession planning and talent management processes.

·  Outsourced payroll (450 people) and consolidated numerous international payrolls.

·  Improved HR efficiency by introduction of Continuous Improvement, Lean, Right First Time methodology.

HR Advisor

Kenwood Limited September 2001 – May 2005

The most profitable part of the international DeLonghi group, employing 320 people at its head office in Hampshire. Reporting into the European HR Director and with a strong focus on sales, marketing, finance and distribution I had responsibility for all UK HR, HS and Payroll.

Achievements:

·  Introduced a performance appraisal system, 91% and 100% take up over last two years.

·  Introduced new HRIS and Payroll software.

·  Managed fast large-scale recruitment campaigns, i.e. recruited and onboarded 39 people within 30 days.

·  Introduced broad banded pay scales.

Career Break February 1994 - September 2001

During this time, I had 3 children, spent 2 years living in the United States and on return, renovated a 16th century house and completed the CIPD postgraduate qualification.

Trainer

Plymouth College of Further Education & University of Plymouth September 1991 – February 1994

As a member of the Supervisory and Management Studies Department I facilitated the learning and development of mostly adult learners from local industry as well as members of the armed forces.

Achievements:

·  Co-led the introduction of the IPM Graduate Diploma into region on a distance and open learning basis.

·  Reviewed and revised all IPM courses ensuring effective learning strategies.

·  Developed the first ‘Women Returners’ programme securing European funding.

Classified Advertising Manager

News International Newspapers September 1985 – September 1991

Part of the News International Corporation employing 2000 people. I was responsible for classified advertising within The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and The News of the World (depending on which title I was deployed to). I quickly moved from ‘selling space’ into supervisory, management and leadership roles.

Qualifications

Employment Law (CIPD Advanced Certificate)

Coaching and Mentoring (CIPD Advanced Certificate, distinction)

Lominger Certified Trainer

Lean Enterprise Mentor

BA (Hons.) Politics and Government (2.1)

City & Guilds Adult Education (730)

Computer Skills

Microsoft Office (intermediate) and various HR systems

Interests

Meeting friends, family, fair weather vegetable gardener, current affairs, swimming, skiing, scuba diving.

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