Hi, sorry I’ve not updated the blog for the last couple of weeks, it has simply been a bit manic. However, manic has been good in terms of ground covered, issues progressed and then some rest and relaxation.

Within the last few weeks, the following has all taken place:

1) PPMA Policy Board meeting in Cambridge. A resounding success in which decisions were made to appoint 3 new Lead Officers to the Policy Board - these will be announced via the PPMA website and via an all member e-mail, but I’m delighted we have been able to make these great new appointments. The Board also covered a lot of additional business, including updates from out regional chairs and lead officers - some great work going on across the country and regional chairs have now been provided with a digest of lead officer reports to share with PPMA members. Discussions also took place about our future association development activities and we agreed to commission a major new programme of HR Transformation work. Finally, this was also a chance to let the policy board see a bit more of the splendours of Cambridge and to thank them for their hard work and support this year - you’ll be pleased to hear that there was no drowning involved whilst punting.

2) Harrogate and back twice in the last 2 weeks to speak at the CIPD conference on performance management and then latterly to chair the first day of the Northern HR Briefing - organised by our PPMA North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions, ably supported by the three regional employers’ organisations. This was a great conference with good speakers and allowed me to meet more PPMA members face to face, including 2 friends that I used to be at college with and another chum that I worked with in Lancashire Police in years gone by - they know who they are!

3) I’ve also had the pleasure of addressing the Eastern, Essex and Hertfordshire PPMA regional meeting on my theme of “Evolution or Extinction”. A real matter of pride for me since this was the region that nominated me to become PPMA President. Thanks to Anne Gibson and the team for the invitation. Other regions take note - that’s technically 4 regional visits in 2 weeks if I take the combined benefit of the Northern HR briefing and this visit together…presidential terms only last so long - book yours now to avoid disappointment!

4) Finally a visit to the capital with Gill Hibberd to meet the new CIPD Chief Executive, Jackie Orme. A good meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest and opportunities to strengthen our working together in the future. We’ll follow this up with the CIPD in 6 months or so to see what’s happened.

So other than the usual round of media and articles, you can see PPMA and I haven’t been up to much! In need of a well deserved rest, I’m handing the blog over to the capable hands of our VP, Gill Hibberd, for the next 2 weeks.Speak to you all when I get back with a suntan!

Best wishes 

Stephen

As a regular columnist for People Management, I thought you might be interested in my latest article all about culture change. Click here to read it online and I’d like to hear any views you might have on this topic, just click on ‘leave a comment’ under the headline above and type away.

Best wishes

Stephen

The weekend was, once again, an example of nature at its worst. My heart went out to the poor people of Morpeth and the other communities of the North East particularly affected by flooding. Having lived in the North East, I still have an affinity for that part of the world and was really saddened to see the devastation caused.

My reason for mentioning this? Well disasters or emergencies such as this, whether natural or man made, call upon HR people to really summon up all of their strength and stamina to manage all the people implications and to support the eminence of essential public services via employees who are probably also affected by the floods - HR has a key role to play.

During the major flooding in Gloucestershire previously, Sue Scrivens and the HR Team at the County Council were rightly praised and highlighted for their work to support the recovery efforts. Equally, I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the work I am sure is going on by the HR teams in Northumberland and elsewhere within the country in response to the flooding - unsung heroes one and all.

Best wishes

Stephen