- You are currently Head of HR for NCL: tell me a little more about your role, how long you have been there and how you got the job
I came to NCL in May 2005 as interim HR Manager for maternity cover, taking over responsibility for the HR function in UK and the other European office in terms HR support. My role is pretty diverse, I get involved in the sexy stuff such as employee engagement through initiative programs, making NCL a compelling place to work, developing training opportunities and working with key stakeholders such as the senior management team to recommend and suggest strategy in meeting business objectives. A run of the mill day can be anything from recruitment, job offers to legal matters, policy drafting, performance management and blue sky meetings!
- What are your previous jobs?
I am from a leisure background predominately although I have IT sector as well. I have worked on cruise ships which is where my love affair with cruising first started! There are a few other jobs to mention but mainly around HR , Recruitment and Fleet/Shipboard personnel.
- What attracted you to this company in particular?
Believe it or not I used to cruise with NCL and I always remembered they never forgot the little things... like having duvets on their ships rather than sheets and blankets (we are talking a few years ago now!), they had a good reputation for quality and being a brand snob that I can be, I am naturally attracted to successful businesses!
- What are the characteristics and skills you have that you believe are particularly suited to what you do?
Tough question! Any HR professional needs to demonstrate patience and empathy at times, people are the most difficult entity to manage and can be massively rewarding. Each individual has to be communicated to in what can be very different ways in order to achieve a positive outcome. I hope I am a good leader as well as a Manager, I hope to inspire others to become what they desire to be and give them confidence to do better in life if they aspire to do so. I am naturally someone who can relate to many walks of life and can bring a lot of past experience into my role which better equips me to provide solutions and advice. The other side of the coin is having commercial acumen, basing decisions on logic, business demand and not being afraid to change your business needs and review this constantly. I believe I am commercially aware of what NCLs business needs are and endeavor to continue to support the strategic goals.
- Greatest challenge: Getting people to view things from my eyes! Art of persuasion is never easy!
- Favorite aspect of your work? It is very rewarding to see people succeed to their goals, in each individual there is a journey and I hope that I have been an inspiration to some to pursue their passions. I am enthusiastic in making sure that we have the right people in the right job.
- What would you say is the most difficult thing about your job?
I came to NCL in May 2005 as interim HR Manager for maternity cover, taking over responsibility for the HR function in UK and the other European office in terms HR support. My role is pretty diverse, I get involved in the sexy stuff such as employee engagement through initiative programs, making NCL a compelling place to work, developing training opportunities and working with key stakeholders such as the senior management team to recommend and suggest strategy in meeting business objectives. A run of the mill day can be anything from recruitment, job offers to legal matters, policy drafting, performance management and blue sky meetings!
- What are your previous jobs?
I am from a leisure background predominately although I have IT sector as well. I have worked on cruise ships which is where my love affair with cruising first started! There are a few other jobs to mention but mainly around HR , Recruitment and Fleet/Shipboard personnel.
- What attracted you to this company in particular?
Believe it or not I used to cruise with NCL and I always remembered they never forgot the little things... like having duvets on their ships rather than sheets and blankets (we are talking a few years ago now!), they had a good reputation for quality and being a brand snob that I can be, I am naturally attracted to successful businesses!
- What are the characteristics and skills you have that you believe are particularly suited to what you do?
Tough question! Any HR professional needs to demonstrate patience and empathy at times, people are the most difficult entity to manage and can be massively rewarding. Each individual has to be communicated to in what can be very different ways in order to achieve a positive outcome. I hope I am a good leader as well as a Manager, I hope to inspire others to become what they desire to be and give them confidence to do better in life if they aspire to do so. I am naturally someone who can relate to many walks of life and can bring a lot of past experience into my role which better equips me to provide solutions and advice. The other side of the coin is having commercial acumen, basing decisions on logic, business demand and not being afraid to change your business needs and review this constantly. I believe I am commercially aware of what NCLs business needs are and endeavor to continue to support the strategic goals.
- Greatest challenge: Getting people to view things from my eyes! Art of persuasion is never easy!
- Favorite aspect of your work? It is very rewarding to see people succeed to their goals, in each individual there is a journey and I hope that I have been an inspiration to some to pursue their passions. I am enthusiastic in making sure that we have the right people in the right job.
- What would you say is the most difficult thing about your job?
HR is difficult full stop! It takes patience at times when you feel you have none, you really do have to want to do HR to stay in it for the long term.... I feel HR does an injustice if someone is advised incorrectly as they are seen as ambassadors to bring fairness to the work place.
- What would you do, as a career, if you weren’t working in HR?
- What would you do, as a career, if you weren’t working in HR?
Another tough question! Interior design, travel writing or something where I can put my creativity to good use!
- Any recommendations for job-seekers looking at a career in HR and/or the Travel industry?
- Any recommendations for job-seekers looking at a career in HR and/or the Travel industry?
Be passionate about what you want to do, if you are passionate and are prepared to work at it, it can be incredibly rewarding. The travel sector is such a sexy niche to work in and something that every one of us can have in common as we all love to travel whether for business or pleasure. Always such a good talking point for any one!
- What was your new year’s resolution and have you stuck to it?
- What was your new year’s resolution and have you stuck to it?
I decided I would go away one weekend every month. Despite being career driven it's time I took time out to go and visit people and places I desire. So far I have been skiing twice, Italy twice and next up is Italy, Miami, St Louis and Bermuda - all before July! I am on goal to achieve as I mapped out my travel plans and booked them in advance!
- Ultimate ambition outside of work:
- Ultimate ambition outside of work:
I am ambitious about life and being happy........... ultimate goal is to be true to myself and follow my dreams and desires... I want to buy land, design and build a house for me to live in before I am 40.....
- Favourite tipple? Champers and Vino - yummy!
- Favourite tipple? Champers and Vino - yummy!
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