I’m Group HR Director of Mitie, the UK’s leading facilities management business. Mitie employs 52,500 people in the UK and Ireland and works in partnership with organisations to provide a wide range of services – from real estate and energy consultancy, compliance, risk assessment and security systems to cleaning, catering and environmental services. Mitie manages and maintains some of the nation’s most recognised landmarks, and high street buildings.
I joined Mitie 18 months ago as part of a new Executive leadership team brought in to turn the company around. I don’t think any of us realised quite how difficult it was going to be within the sector – with the collapse of Carillion and the demise of Interserve, it’s been a tough 18 months. But we’ve now posted our first set of solid financial results.
Prior to joining Mitie, I was Group HR Director of itsu, where I led the team to win both the CIPD HR and L&D Team of the Year awards. We were also the overall winner of the CIPD People Management Awards 2017. My previous roles include senior HR positions with Sainsbury’s, Santander and Accenture.
I would describe myself as a ‘retailer working out of sector’ – and I’m loving it! It’s made me realise that transformation is the same whatever the industry.