JennyWillis
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A human resources specialist is returning home to Gloucestershire to support small and medium-sized businesses. Jenny Willis has had a career which has taken her around the world, working for major organisations including the NHS and Dow Jones International. Now, after a taste of working with smaller organisations within the NHS following a restructure in 2013, she has set up her own business working with local SMEs. The HR Dept Gloucester will provide outsourced human resources advice and support to SMEs from the city centre to as far north as Newent and south as Stonehouse. “I'm really excited to get back into the Gloucester community and resurrect some of my old connections,” said MsWillis, who is married to Mark and has two sons aged five and three and currently lives in Minety near Cirencester. It is a patch she knows well. Born in Abbeydale, she went to city schools including Ribston Hall and Sir Thomas Rich's. “I enjoy working with SMES, there’s more breadth of work, the teams are smaller and you can really see the impact of the work you're doing, rather than being stuck in board meetings. “There's a real opportunity to put plans into action, so I'm excited to bring all my years of expertise for the benefit of local businesses.” She added: “Over the next 18 months, the government will deliver an ambitious package of workplace reforms improving workers' rights and, of course, we've got
Brexit to navigate. “Many organisations are already considering impacts this might have on their recruitment and retention practices. "My advice would be to get ahead of the curve. Especially for employers who have EU staff, it's vital to talk to your workforce and to try and plan for the implications of Brexit, particularly with no deal.” She added: “Increasingly, organisations that adopt truly flexible working practices are getting a competitive edge. “There are great opportunities to think differently about how people work and the implications that might have for recruitment and retention of top talent. “Small companies are more agile and able to adopt new practices, but they're more apprehensive about people working flexibly. It's not for everyone, but it will be interesting to have conversations." The HR Dept Gloucester is part of an international company, with a network of 75 franchisees, providing services in 112 territories in the UK, Ireland and Australia. Licensees provide high-level experience at an affordable rate for growing businesses who need the expertise on hand, but have neither the need nor the budget for an in-house HR team. The company also provides an option for HR practitioners looking for better work-life balance and a new challenge after working in corporate life l For more information visit hrdept.co.uk/licensees/gloucester , email jennifer.willis@hrdept.co.uk or call 01452 405280
8 | February 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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