I am the General Manager Human Resources for ihug New Zealand and iiNet Australia, based in Auckland. I am responsible for overseeing functional areas including: training, OHS, industrial relations, organisational change and development, internal communications, recruitment and people reward and recognition
What is your current role?
I am the General Manager Human Resources for ihug New Zealand and iiNet Australia, based in Auckland. I am responsible for overseeing functional areas including: training, OHS, industrial relations, organisational change and development, internal communications, recruitment and people reward and recognition.
What qualifications do you hold?
I lived in Cape Town (South Africa) where I completed a Diploma in Public Relations and Tourism as well as Microsoft Certification. My ‘passion for people’ is what first opened the door on my career in human resources and I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity of undertaking numerous professional development courses both here and overseas.
Why did you get into HR?
It sounds idealistic, but I really wanted to make a difference! I think these days we spend a significantly increased percentage of our time at the office (or working remotely) and I wanted a job that gave me the chance to make a positive difference to the ‘work/life’ experience of others.
How did you get into HR?
I joined ihug in 1997 in the role of Training Manager, charged with setting ihug up as Microsoft Authorised Desktop Training Provider. At the time, ihug didn’t have an HR or equivalent department, and I saw it as a great opportunity for me to get proactively involved in the setting up of a generalist HR function (otherwise known as Personnel back then). The rest as they say is history and to some degree, I still feel really lucky to have been in the right place, at the right time.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Professionally I love what I do, so I can’t imagine ever not working in human resources. I enjoy heading up a busy and issues rich HR function at ihug/iiNet and believe that the business will continue to offer my team the opportunity to undertake and complete challenging and rewarding projects over the next few years. Personally, in five years time I would like to be able to say that I lived my dream and toured the Formula 1 Grand Prix Circuit and met Michael Schumacher.
What has been your biggest career high so far?
Without doubt, managing the merger between ihug and iiNet staff. The integration process with any significant merger is about aligning the expectations of both staff groups and working together to create a new working environment that suits both teams. In our case, we brought together two of the most talented and diverse groups of staff and it has been extremely satisfying to look back several years after the amalgamation and realise that we are now one team, working successfully towards common goals.
What do you think it takes to succeed in HR?
The ability to listen and read between the lines. When it comes to dealing with people and their expectations, HR is often more about what isn’t being said, than what is. To me, the ability to influence and understand what motivates people is also crucial, especially in a merger and acquisition focussed environment where organisational and cultural evolution is quick and constant. I think patience, empathy and the ability (and willingness) to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes also helps.
How do you manage relationships with senior executives?
I find honesty key in any relationship, but particularly so when it comes to dealing with senior executives and the board of directors. I am lucky to work in an environment where I have been encouraged to have an opinion and share it at the highest level. I think this goes a long way towards building trust. It’s hard for people to trust you if they don’t know where you honestly stand on an issue. I try also to facilitate the smooth flow of the information I know other senior executives need to make informed decisions about the business.
Who is your biggest professional inspiration?
I’d have to say my current boss. We have a strong working relationship and I respect him immensely as a person. He has always made time for his staff at all levels and this is a quality that I particularly admire, especially as the business continues to grow and it gets harder to maintain personal relationships across the organisation. He has taught me a lot about management and leadership and the importance of developing my own skills in both areas.
What advice would you give to graduates considering a career in HR?
I think the theory learned at university is extremely important to providing graduates with a framework they can apply practically when they land their first job in the industry. However, I also think that the most valuable skills they will learn and tools they will develop should come from the first two to three years in a human resources role. People are people. We are all unique and we all have different ways of getting to the same point. Thus I think human resource professionals need to work towards developing their own style, inline with the organisation they work for. Likewise, I think the value of finding and working with a mentor cannot be overstated.
Describe yourself in three words?
Intuitive, outcome-focused, passionate (and committed).
