"A growing law firm with a glowing reputation"
Main sponsors of the 2008 Recruitment Awards
Brought to you by
The judges
Helen Walsham: Director of Academy Flagship Housing Group
Helen
has 20 years’ experience in the fields of HR and Training, working
in both the public and private sector. A Fellow of the Institute of Personnel
and Development and a former winner of the CIPD John Bradbury Award, she
takes HR best practice very seriously, always looking for opportunities
to champion those who strive for high standards.
“That’s what I like most about the EDP Recruitment Awards,”
says Helen. “They encourage those in our field to raise the bar.”
Helen’s wealth of experience comes from working in a variety of industries
including transport, construction and the financial sector.
“I must admit some of my happiest times were working with 250 accountants!” she says.
Helen joined Flagship Housing Group, the largest provider of affordable
housing in the Eastern Region, as Director of Academy in August 2005. With
a staff of 560, Helen is responsible for all aspects of HR and Training
as well as Health and Safety, Continuous Improvement and Regulation. Of
her job, Helen says, “It is incredibly varied and challenging and
the pace of change in the sector is phenomenal.”
When not at work, Helen, who lives in South Norfolk with her husband and
three children, enjoys gardening and travel.
Rachel Crampton: Managing director, Travel Centre
Travel
Centre was founded in 1961 by Jim and Barbara Crampton, with the original
shop at Castle Hill (now replaced by the Mall) – at 45 years old,
Travel Centre is now one of the longest established independent travel agencies
in the region.
"I went to school in Norwich and then to Warwick University to read Comparative American Studies, when I also spent a year at university in the USA as an exchange student. Having graduated in 1982, and not knowing exactly I wanted to do, I did a 6-month secretarial course in London. I moved back to Norwich and did some temp work (so I have experience of recruitment agencies from a different perspective, albeit from many moons ago!).
"I then for a local marketing company, involved in putting together trade directories and on various projects for local companies (advertising, events, PR, etc). I then moved to the Motor Industry Research Unit based at the UEA undertaking consultancy projects for motor manufacturers and assisting with writing books on the industry. After this I became a Product Manager at Tom Smiths Crackers on their party products range. I then turned freelance, working with a variety of clients doing market research, PR, copywriting, marketing, etc.
"During this time I started doing some work in Travel Centre, subsequently buying the then Managing Director out and taking over as MD in May 1992, around the time of the last Gulf War."
Travel Centre now has 7 divisions operating from 5 sites in Norfolk. In addition to general holiday bookings, the company specialises in tailor-made holidays (utilising its special contract rates with many airlines) in particular to Australasia, America and Canada. The company has a dedicated business travel division and also sells airline tickets to other travel agents throughout the UK.
Lisa Collen, HR & Development Manager, BBC East
"Working in the media industry is a privilege. Working at the BBC is an honour. Working with Archant on their Recruitment Awards is an absolute pleasure!
"I have been involved with the Recruitment Awards for a number of years; firstly as someone who entered, then as a Judge and on the Steering Group determining the way ahead for the Awards. Having been part of the journey with Archant in moving these prestigious and highly competitive awards to a new professional level, I am delighted to accept the mantel of Mentor to my fellow Judges as well as acting as a Judge again for another year.
Building on the success of last years Recruitment Awards, as a team of 7 judges, we will again aim to make the whole process from your application to the results much more credible, by using measurable and transparent competency based questions for each Award.
"My career has spanned from junior to senior HR roles in both the public and private sector. My background is in Business and HR Management and my current role is about working in partnership with the BBC Radio, Online and TV senior managers within the BBC Eastern Region. My objective is to have realistic and measurable strategies in place to ensure the BBC has the right people, at the right time, with the right skills, at the right cost to support the delivery of our creative output within a multi-media and ever developing environment.
"As with many people today, I will be juggling many balls over the next few months, with managing my day job, mentoring and coaching my fellow Recruitment Award Judges, Judging the Awards and visiting a number of the Companies who submit entries for some of our selected Awards this year. Oh, and not forgetting to be a wife, sister, friend and mother and having lots of fun along the way!"
Paul Awcock, Norwich Union
17
years experience of working within the recruitment industry, initially working
for a small independent Agency in Sussex. Headhunted by a larger organisation
to manage a 6 branch network as well as manage national contract for outsourced
recruitment to the ITT London & Edinburgh insurance group.
"In 1998 Norwich Union acquired ITT London & Edinburgh and I was offered a role as a Senior HR Consultant within the Worthing office and National Relationship Manager for all Preferred Suppliers (Recruitment Agencies). In 2000 I was promoted to HR Business Manager looking after a national team of Consultants aligned to Norwich Union Operations (high volume).
"June 2005 I was seconded in to the role of Head of HR – Recruitment and converted to permanent in December 2005. I currently lead a function of c100 fte, with 6 direct reports. Our customer portfolio includes Norwich Union Insurance/RAC, Norwich Union Life, Norwich Union Healthcare & Bluecycle.
"I have teams based in Bescott, Norwich, Perth, Worthing & York and we deliver a consultancy service to our customer base across 32 key locations managing around 7500 vacancies per year."
Andrew Sherwood, Bernard Matthews
Andrew started his career in sales at The Carphone Warehouse joining the company in 1994 before the big expansion across the UK and Europe had begun. Andrew had a number of operational roles including Area Sales Manager, Divisional Sales Manager and Commercial Manager (Ireland) before being appointed HR Director (UK) and then Group HR Services Director. Whilst at The Carphone Warehouse, the HR team developed effective recruitment processes to support the rapid expansion of the business, focusing in particular on employer branding and driving direct recruitment through its website. The company also won Retail Week Employer of the Year and were included regularly in The Sunday Times “Top 100 Companies to Work For” listings.
Andrew made the move to Norfolk in 2006 joining Bernard Matthews, where he was given the remit to modernise the Human Resources Department, which is now well under way. “There is a big contrast in cultures between The Carphone Warehouse and Bernard Matthews in many ways, but fundamentally the people issues that are faced are the same – attracting and retaining the right talent. Bernard Matthews is a fascinating place to work and the focus is on streamlining HR processes, improving internal communication and getting all parts of the team working to create a successful future.”
Andrew loves Norfolk life and believes the county should do more to promote itself. It is a great place to do business and a wonderful place to live and bring up a family.
Sharon Turner: Non Executive Director Central Trust PLC & Norwich City Football Club
Sharon is a qualified accountant with over 30 years experience in the Banking and Financial Services Industry. Originally from Norfolk she began her career at Barclays transferring to work in London in the 70’s and subsequently working in Investment Banking where latterly she specialised in Venture Capital, construction of Hedge Funds and marketing.
In 1998 she left the Investment Banking Industry to join Central Trust- a financial services company founded by her husband Andrew where she assumed joint responsibility for developing and growing the company.
In 2004 for family reasons (the arrival of two children), Sharon stepped down from executive responsibility to that of non executive director. In addition in 2007 she was appointed to the Board of Norwich City Football Club as a non executive director
During the course of her career she has gained vast experience in recruitment and people related matters. She is passionate about developing people and allowing them to reach their full potential.
Andrew Sherwood – Bernard Matthews
Andrew started his career in sales at The Carphone Warehouse joining the company in 1994 before the big expansion across the UK and Europe had begun. Andrew had a number of operational roles including Area Sales Manager, Divisional Sales Manager and Commercial Manager (Ireland) before being appointed HR Director (UK) and then Group HR Services Director. Whilst at The Carphone Warehouse, the HR team developed effective recruitment processes to support the rapid expansion of the business, focusing in particular on employer branding and driving direct recruitment through its website. The company also won Retail Week Employer of the Year and were included regularly in The Sunday Times “Top 100 Companies to Work For” listings.
Andrew made the move to Norfolk in 2006 joining Bernard Matthews, where he was given the remit to modernise the Human Resources Department, which is now well under way. “There is a big contrast in cultures between The Carphone Warehouse and Bernard Matthews in many ways, but fundamentally the people issues that are faced are the same – attracting and retaining the right talent. Bernard Matthews is a fascinating place to work and the focus is on streamlining HR processes, improving internal communication and getting all parts of the team working to create a successful future.”
Andrew loves Norfolk life and believes the county should do more to promote itself. It is a great place to do business and a wonderful place to live and bring up a family.