MEMBERSHIP INSIGHT
5 minutes with…
I think that the experiences I have had in marketing and business operations allow me to contribute ideas, participate in project teams and generally contribute to the success of the CIPP. By meeting the members and finding out what their issues are, reading legislation updates and attending industry events, I am confident that I can bring a positive contribution to the CIPP’s strategy. What does the future hold for the future of payroll, pensions and reward? There have been many challenges in the last few years for payroll, pensions and reward professionals and I foresee more changes ahead. If you look how far the industry has come since I received my first brown envelope, prepared by another member of staff with no training or real knowledge, there is no doubt in my mind that, with the advances of technology, a Chartered body to represent you and an ever-changing and challenging workforce, there will be exciting times ahead. What do you do in your available time to unwind? When I am away from the office I am a keen watcher and reader of fantasy and science fiction. I enjoy technology and am probably known as a bit of a geek when it comes to a certain brand of phones, tablets and laptops, as I have the whole range. Family is hugely important to me and as a proud (but very young, of course) grandma of four under-five-year- olds, I love spending time with them and it gives me a renewed outlook on life. n
Dawn Baxter Business operations team leader, CIPP
Tell us about your career and background I have had a varied background along with a career break to have a family, but my experience is predominately in retail management. I started, in the distant past of 1980, on a youth trainee scheme at a local chemist, where I got paid £23 a week in cash, with a handwritten payslip. I soon progressed to cashier and window-dresser at Etams in Birmingham. Along the way, I have been a store manager for some big names – including River Island and Laura Ashley – and achieved my career goal in 1998 of becoming store manager in the largest Mexx outside London where I managed forty staff, three clothing departments and a huge stockroom. When did you first become involved with the CIPP? In 2005, I decided the long hours of retail were not for me so chose to retrain and undertook the Pitman’s Microsoft Office Specialist qualification. After successfully passing this I walked into the IPPM’s (a CIPP forerunner) office in Hockley Heath on 14 August 2006 as a very nervous marketing temp. It was a very busy time as within six weeks the Institute
became simply ‘IPP’. I became a permanent member of the team in March 2008 and both the Institute and I haven’t looked back since. I took on my current role in December 2016. What does the role mean to you? I am passionate about the Institute and its members. The values the company hold are important to me and I enjoy passing these on to new members of the team. I love going out and attending events; in particular: the Annual Conference and Excellence Awards and the Graduation Ceremony, as these show how professional the industry and its members are. Though I did not go to college after leaving school, I am a huge advocate of learning whatever your age. CIPP has supported me to achieve a level 3 certificate in marketing and I am awaiting, with crossed fingers, my results for the level 4 CIPP Professional Development Award in Team Management. What do you think you can bring to the future strategy of the CIPP? There have been lots of changes to the Institute during my time here.
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | February 2018 | Issue 37 10
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