Madeleine Tate, whose roles have included Head of Learning and Development and Human Capital Director, shares her experiences of working in HR to date.
What’s your current job role?
I work as an independent consultant, at senior management and board level. I work with a wide variety of sizes and types of company – from SMEs to FTSE 100s, which is both challenging and stimulating.
What did you do before this job?
I was Human Capital Director with AIT – a software company based in Henley-on-Thames.
Describe your route into HR?
My route into HR has been anything but orthodox! I began in IT management with a division of Hays, then moved to AIT as Head of Business Analysis. I then took over as the Head of Learning and Development, and eventually as HC Director. Certainly not a traditional background, but I have found both the operational and analysis experience of immense value.
Did you always want to work in HR?
No. For me, the decision came about when I was sitting in a career development session with my then boss – the Director of Intellectual Capital. She asked me what I really wanted to do, and I found myself answering “your job!” It came as a complete surprise, but I have never regretted it.
What would you say has been the most significant event in your career to date?
Deciding that if my Mother could learn to use a computer at 75, I wasn’t going to be beaten! (That was 15 years ago, and she’s still going strong at 90).
How do you think the role of HR has changed since you began your HR career?
I would like to say that HR is now taken seriously at board level, but if I am honest I still see too many companies simply giving lip-service. How many times do you see in corporate brochures “people are out greatest asset” and when the tougher times come, the people are simply expendable? Never mind the intellectual capital that is walking out through the door…. Fortunately, there are also many companies that do now take a more enlightened view and recognise that “one-size fits all” HR solutions do not appeal to a more discriminating workforce. It is really rewarding to work with these companies, creating environments where people are encouraged to be the best that they can and to contribute in new and different ways.
What single thing would improve your working life?
A 36 hour day? There is always more that I want to do and to be and never enough time to encompass it all!
What’s your favourite part of the HR Zone site?
It has to be the range of articles on HR matters. It doesn’t seem to matter what I’m looking for, there’s always either the information or a lead as to where to find it.
Have you made contact with any other members?
Yes – and found it a great place to network.
Do you have any advice for those looking to embark on a career in HR?
It’s certainly not a sinecure. You have to be passionate, committed and commercially astute about what you do. Only then will you convince others of the enormous contribution that good HR can make to the success of a business.
If you’re willing to share your experiences of working in HR to date with other members, we’d like to hear from you – e-mail us to receive a copy of this questionnaire.
Previous ‘Introducing…’ features:
Keith Luxon, HR Policy and Reward Director, The Laurel Pub Company
Jeremy Thorn, Chairman and Director of QED Consulting
Roger Pattison, HR – Training & Management Development Consultant
Verity McVarish, HR Manager for Sift Media
Rus Slater
David Kelly, Head of Development and Training for Aventis
Jenny Kevan, UK HR Manager for Abbott Laboratories
William Martin, HR Manager, Telewest Broadband
Craig Truter, HR Manager, The Body Shop
Martin Stockton, HR Transformation Leader, Towers Perrin
Nick Heap, Consultant, New Directions
Crispin Garden-Webster, HR Specialist, Asian Development Bank
Sandra Walsh, HR Delivers
Carole Leslie, Director, IT Learning Ltd
Shaun Dunphy, Project and Process Manager, EMEA HR Service Centre for MCI
Debra Artlett, HR Officer, NGJ
Dianne Miles, HR Manager, Rollalong Ltd
Jacqui Mann, HR Manager, Integra NeuroSciences
Isabella Montgomery, Human Resources Officer at The new Housing Association
Iain Young, Head of HR for Cofathec Heatsave
