Jessica Diggins, HR Manager for the Chartered Management Institute, spills the beans on her HR career to date.
What’s your current job role?
I’ve just joined the Chartered Management Institute as HR Manager. My responsibilities include the development of training programmes for 135 staff. I will also the lead the organisation’s recruitment programme and manage the Institute’s staff support programmes.
What did you do before this job?
Prior to taking up the role, I was HR Manager for the Learning & Skills Council in Northamptonshire, where I worked for three years. I enjoyed working at the LSC where I was mainly involved with generalist HR management and issues including TUPE, facilitating change and developing learning and development provision and opportunities. Prior to that, I worked for the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and Nationwide Building Society. At the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management I had a broader role including pensions and facilities with a small team supporting me.
Describe your route into HR?
I started as a personnel assistant and completed my CIPD Certificate. From there I was promoted to Personnel Manager and completed my HR diploma. Through subsequent CPD, development and opportunities, I became an HR Manager.
Did you always want to work in HR?
I started out my career in marketing, but the element which caught my attention was relationship building – a natural stepping stone into HR.
What would you say has been the most significant event in your career to date?
A successful audit of the HR function at one organisation during a period of significant change and participation in a leadership programme that was transformational.
How do you think the role of HR has changed since you began your HR career?
It is now much more focused on the business and added value – and we think about the customer more – and rightly so! As a member of the management team at the LSC, I was closely involved with the business and enjoyed making optimum use of resources for the organisation. My early career in marketing has made business performance a key interest for me.
What single thing would improve your working life?
More hours in the day.
What’s your favourite part of the HR Zone site?
The latest features, which pose some interesting viewpoints that can challenge your own thinking.
Have you made contact with any other members?
Not yet but I plan to.
Do you have any advice for those looking to embark on a career in HR?
Make sure that you always have a good understanding of the working environment and challenges of all your customers.
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:
Linda Klassen-Brown, Group HR Manager, The Logic Group
Keith Hanlon, HR Manager, Quantum Business Media
Andrew Mayo, frequent speaker and writer on HR issues
Jim Brooks, HR Manager for ServiRail Ltd
Jean-Bertrand de Lartigue, Chairman of HR2all
Karen Caddick, Head of HR, Channel Five
Madeleine Tate
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
