Actons Solicitors

🎙️ New episode of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 out now! 🎧 Available on all podcast directories (links in the comments).

In this episode, Nic Elliott, Head of Employment Law at Actons talks to Jan Lynegar, Director of Talent Acquisition and Organisational Development at Marston's PLC.

Jan shares her unique career journey, which began with aspirations to become a legal officer in the military. After transitioning to employment law, she eventually found her way into HR, holding significant roles at DFS, Lookers, Ralph Lauren, and now Marston's PLC. Throughout her career, Jan faced numerous challenges, including a battle with anxiety and depression, and a cancer diagnosis, which profoundly impacted her personal and professional life.

Jan discusses her evolution from employment law to HR business partnering, emphasising the importance of understanding business models and strategic thinking. At Marston's, her role involves talent acquisition, organisational development, and driving cultural evolution within the company. She highlights the challenges faced by the hospitality industry, such as negative media headlines and rising costs, while also underscoring the importance of pubs in British culture. Marston's commitment to growth and innovation, along with a focus on people, culture, and engagement, is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent.

Leadership and mental health are central themes in the conversation. Jan explains how leadership can significantly impact employee mental health and business performance. She advocates for vulnerability and authenticity in leadership, stressing the need for workplace policies that support employees during significant life events. Jan also offers advice for HR professionals, emphasising the importance of working in businesses where HR has a strategic role and the need for continuous learning and understanding of broader business and market trends. She believes in balancing commercial success with employee well-being.

The discussion also touches on upcoming legislation and industry challenges, particularly the Employment Rights Bill and third-party harassment in hospitality. Jan shares Marston's involvement in the "It Stops With Me" campaign, which aims to address harassment in the industry.

With Christmas just around the corner, here's a quick message from our Chairman, Simon Dakin. 🎄

The big day is fast approaching and we want to take a moment to thank our wonderful clients for their support and dedication this year.

Get to know Associate and Family Law Solicitor, Sophie Spreckley in our new Meet the Team, Q&A series. 🤝

Nic Elliott, Employment lawyer and HR Director, asked Sophie about her role here at Actons and what she enjoys most about working in Nottingham.

Watch the full Q&A over on our website by tapping the link in the comments below. 👇

🎙️ New episode of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 out now! 🎧 In this episode, Nic is joined by Neil Morrison, Group HR Director at Severn Trent.

Neil shares his career journey from the NHS to Argos, through to Penguin Random House Publishing and then Severn Trent.

Neil shares his thoughts on good work, the importance of creating jobs, and organisations looking after their workforce. Neil talks about how Severn Trent have sought to take 100,000 people out of poverty by providing employment or the skills to find jobs elsewhere.

Nic asks Neil about the future of work, and Neil predicts that Nic will be replaced by AI! Neil also highlights that the future of work looks different for different parts of the workforce, and cautions us against buying into HR myths!

Neil shares his thoughts on “HR group think” and how he believes we need a data and evidence based approach to the world of work. Neil discusses the challenge of bringing social policy into the workplace and the potential dangers of “bringing your whole self to work”.

Neil talks about “societal impact” and the challenges the water sector has faced in recent years.

Neil talks about the privilege that it is to be an HR professional and shares his advice for those looking to progress in their career.

Neil shares his thoughts on the importance of line managers and the impact they can have on teams. He talks to Nic about the psychological side of managing people and the importance of understanding the impact of actions on an individual and the wider workforce.

Neil and Nic discuss the importance of honest conversations and the value in being able to say sorry!



Tap the link to listen to the episode - https://www.actons.co.uk/thehrdtalks/?preview_id=5246&preview_nonce=cd3b6ccb35&_thumbnail_id=5289&preview=true

Supplier shout-out: Workday

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟏 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟐 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄!

We’re back again with 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 podcast after a short break. 🎙️🚀🔥

In this episode Nic is joined by Vicky Walker, Group Director of People at Westfield Health

Vicky shares her career journey, including 20+ years at Tesco and working her way up to her current role at Westfield.

Vicky shares her thoughts on the profession, ranging from “toilet rolls to disciplinaries” and explains her more strategic role as Director of People. Nic asks Vicky about their success winning best employer awards and the journey towards platinum Investors in People.

Vicky and Nic also discuss the “coaching culture” at Westfield and the focus on wellbeing, keeping in mind the mantra of practicing what they preach! Nic talks to Vicky about her views on hybrid working, Artificial Intelligence, and the cost of living crisis.

Vicky shares some great advice to HR professionals starting their career and to those looking to take the step up to the People Director. Vicky also talks about the importance of building a professional network and some tips for doing that well. Nic and Vicky cover avoiding “HR fads” and ensuring that you are evidence and data based!

Supplier shout out: Drew Povey

🎧 Available on all podcast directories (links in the comments).

As we approach the festive break, on behalf of everyone at Actons, we wish you all a very 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 and a 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫! 🎄🌟
Simon Dakin, Director and Chairman at Actons Solicitors

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 & 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬:
𝑊𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 5𝑝𝑚 𝑜𝑛 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑦 22 𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 2023 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 9𝑎𝑚 𝑜𝑛 𝑇𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 2 𝐽𝑎𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑦 2024.

🎙️ 𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄! 🎙️

In this episode Karen Jewell, Director, HR and Organisational Development at Equip UK Technologies Ltd shares her career journey from HR roles in the energy sector, to HR Director at Derby City Council, to leading the people strategy for the Rab and Lowe Alpine outdoor apparel and equipment performance brands.

Karen talks about her experience at Equip during COVID, taking brave decisions to continue buying and fulfilling orders where others couldn’t, and creating opportunities from the challenges faced at that time.

Nic asks Karen about the extraordinary growth of the Rab and Lowe Alpine brands in the last few years, with turnover reaching in excess of £100 million. Karen explains how the business has also significantly grown its headcount using the strength of their brand, LinkedIn for recruitment, focusing on retention, and utilising their employees as ambassadors.

Karen tells Nic about her approach to wellbeing at Equip, training “wellbeing champions”, signing up to the UK Thrive at Work charter, and partnering with a specialist mental health and wellbeing service for colleagues, taking a proactive approach to the issue. Karen also shares Equip’s strategy on sustainability and how they have authentically embraced this important issue, becoming climate neutral in 2019, and aiming for net zero by 2030.

Karen gives her honest view on the HR profession and shares her advice for those who might be considering it as a career. She also explains her views on women in leadership and how best to demonstrate value to the organisation you’re working with.

𝐆𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 🎧 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 & 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 ⬇️

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 🎧 https://lnkd.in/e8mz6bTw

𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 🎧 https://lnkd.in/epxVAeGv

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞🎧 https://lnkd.in/ezNHVABG

𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 🎧 https://lnkd.in/eUu2H8JP

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 🎧

https://lnkd.in/gcwSFw7r