Alumni - HR Management
Frieza Mahmood
Aston University Business School – BSc Human Resource Management (2005)
HR Management Trainee in 2005
Current role, HR Manager, Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust
“I worked as a Trainee HR Manager for Cadbury Schweppes as part of my year in industry at University, and enjoyed the challenge of this immensely. But I found roles to be very specialised, which limited scope for involvement in multiple HR disciplines, and it was difficult to see the direct impact you had on the business.”
She found that, by contrast, the NHS offered a much wider variety of HR work. Also, it was clear to see the direct impact good quality HR practices had on patient care.
Frieza began as an HR Officer for Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust, before gaining her current role after graduating from the Scheme earlier this year: “I’m the lead HR Manager for the Division of Unplanned Care, providing operational support on everything from performance management to employee relations, as well as working as a strategic business partner for my division. I am also the Trust’s HR Lead for ‘Improving Working Lives’ (IWL).”
One of Frieza’s proudest achievements was a community challenge event that she took part in with West Midlands and Northern trainees in Moston, Manchester: “We completely renovated an old church hall and community centre in 24 hours, on a budget of zero! We were exhausted by the end of it but couldn’t have been more proud at seeing the smiling and appreciative local residents, and at the generosity of the businesses in the area.”
Another significant achievement was being involved as the HR lead in a Service Review Investigation into residential rehabilitation Mental Health Services in Solihull, actively engaging with Service users and staff to identify real issues and propose effective recommendations to address them.”
As far as the future is concerned, Frieza sees “longevity in my career in the health service. I am passionate about my job and want to excel as far as is possible. In 5 years I hope to be an established Head of Human Resources in a Foundation Trust, and working towards becoming a HR Director.”
Chris Mannion
University of Leeds, BSc Psychology (2007)
HR Management Trainee (2007 on)
Chris started the scheme in 2007 after nine years of working in retail. So what drew him to the NHS?
“Several reasons. Firstly I felt that I would get job satisfaction from working for an organisation that had ‘helping’ people as its main aim. The idea of working for one of the biggest employers in Europe was also very attractive - the size and diversity hopefully means plenty of career opportunities. And the scheme itself seems to be a top class training opportunity. The formal educational component was also a deciding factor.”
Chris was reassured by the graduate profiles on the website: “The first criterion was location, because many HR schemes are based in London. The NHS was flexible as to where I would be based. Also the training aspect was appealing as it was clear they wanted to make you a good HR Manager rather than a good NHS Manager.”
During my first placement I have been working as part of the Operational Human Resources team in an Acute Foundation Trust, supporting HR Managers with employee relations issues and getting involved in project and policy work. At the moment I am working with the Director of HR and helping him to write the Trust's HR Strategy for the next four years. I’m looking forward to my flexi placement at Leeds based Solicitors, Ford & Warren, in their Employment & Labour Relations Department. I have enjoyed the foundation learning and education weeks that we have had so far and we have done some really interesting things like playing roles in a mock employment tribunal in front of an actual panel! The next thing on my list is to finalise my 2nd placement which I am hoping will be in a Primary Care Trust – a really different experience and an opportunity to meet loads of new people.
“I’m looking forward to developing my skills and experience and moving steadily towards my long term aim of being a Director of HR.”
Lucy Cluley
The University of Birmingham, Philosophy & Political Science (2005)
HR Management Trainee in 2005
Current role: HR Advisor
Lucy joined the NHS in 2005. “I knew I wanted to work in the public sector because I wanted to make a difference, and the thought of working to make someone else more profit doesn‘t appeal. So I applied to the public sector graduate schemes.”
A friend who went to a careers fair advised Lucy to apply to the NHS. In her first placement she worked as a HR Assistant. Lucy completed her management report before starting her first substantive role as an HR Adviser in 2007. “I am responsible for around 400 emergency staff, and liaise with managers to resolve grievances, disciplinaries, sickness absence, recruitment and training.”
During the scheme she worked to achieve practice plus status for Improving Working Lives; she took responsibility for Equality and Diversity, as well as helping organise a national conference for HR trainees and supporting a manager in her first disciplinary case, which led to a final written warning. What are her career aspirations? “To find myself in a role that I’m good at and enjoy. I see my future within the NHS; I’d particularly like to try general management, as I feel you need that experience to be fully effective in HR.”
Lucy admits that free time has been at a minimum whilst on the scheme, however, when she does have some spare time she enjoys “catching up with friends, going to the pub, cinema, gigs, out for meals”.