Our next topic is likely to be ‘what does business want from HR’. We are still open to suggestions and are always keen to make sure that we source topical speakers. Contact me if you would like to join our Surrey Forum or if you have a suggestion for a topic that you would like to discuss.

jennifer.gaster@hrheads.co.uk 01962 432001

I will be talking about the HR market place from a recruiter’s perspective, particularly for those living and/or working across South West London. John will be talking about the economic climate and giving us his thoughts on the outlook for the economy, particularly with the HR community in mind. It should be a really interesting day, if you are a member of that group why don’t you book a place with them to come along – www.cipd.co.uk/branch/swlondon

It is a great example of how we are always delighted to help the CIPD and the wider HR community with value added services. If you are involved with your CIPD group and would like our help with something please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Our experience follows that feeling of encouragement about economic growth. HR Heads is just about to close it’s financial year and has had a very busy, positive year of business activity. Whilst the numbers of general vacancies are lower year-on-year, the volume of specialist, niche HR roles that we have handled has increased significantly. The large numbers of candidates available and active in the market has also seen businesses turn to us to source from the passive market place, not wanting to deal with the large volumes of candidate responses.

Of particular influence in the permanent HR market, has been the flexibility among employers in hiring part-time, job sharing and a mix of home and office based roles. This hugely widens the talent pool available for consideration and ensures those businesses able to demonstrate that flexibility, truely do secure the best available talent for the role.

You may remember Simon Walker who came and gave a most enlightening presentation on Cross Generational Diversity in businesses at the HR Heads Breakfast Forum last year.  He is speaking at TEDxPortsmouth on the 2^nd March about

‘SocialFeedback’
which is where we use online social networks to drive on-going
development.  It’s the ‘big idea’ behind his new business,
my360plus.

The event theme is ‘Developing Human Potential’  - very much of
interest to the HR community and as well as Simon there are some very interesting
speakers.

Link
for the event is http://www.tedxportsmouth.com/

I do wonder however, what impact Apprentices have on the existing workforce. No doubt the apprentices are very motivated and keen to prove themselves - are they more so than any other new employee to the business? Is there any resentment to them being ‘cost effective’ by other employees? As apprentices, do they really fill a skills gap?

I am really keen to hear peoples thoughts on this and welcome any comments or personal experiences….
Many thanks,
Jen

Jen

1)youth unemployment and what we are doing as a community across Hampshire and Dorset to aid this situation and improve the prospects for the region in years to come….
2) the impact the London 2012 Olympics will have on our businesses from both an opportunity perspective and an employee engagement / time off policy perspective.

Those aside, I would love to hear your thoughts - so please do get in touch. The plan would be to hold the Forum at the beginning of March.

Speak soon,
Jen

Good! and long may it continue.

November and December were very busy months, I spent a lot of time on the road, meeting with and talking to HR professionals across both counties.

In December, I completed a retained campaign to find a Head of HR for a leading construction business, successfully delivered to an HR Shared Service centre manager role for a FTSE listed business services group and worked on a string of HR Business Partner vacancies. Not bad for a business entering into a new market ( all be it on the back of a good track record and years of experience ).

This momentum has continued and so far in January, we have been awarded sole supplier status with a leading financial services business, preferred status at a large engineering group and have a strong pipeline of new vacancies and new supplier proposals on the horizon.

The most encouraging sign for 2012 however is that I am receiving calls from talented HR professionals who want to move and believe that opportunity is out there. This is a big change, for a few years now people have been cautious. Generally speaking, professional people have looked for a new role only when they have absolutely needed to. So what is changing? Perhaps people have had enough of waiting for markets to improve? Perhaps the Christmas period has given people time to reflect and decide to make a move? I am sure both are true to an extent. One thing is for sure however - the senior HR market place is a whirlwind of movement that is fuelled by confidence. It thrives when people have the faith to put the feelers out and see what other options may be available to them. The fact that the “safe” population are starting to register is a good sign for the market place in 2012 – is the whirlwind of movement starting to circle?

If you would like to explore new HR opportunity in Surrey or Middlesex feel free to call me at anytime.

Andy