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

We’ve not had a presidential visit for more than two years in London and we were very pleased that Stephen Moir was able to join the region on Friday 27th June, to speak to us about his recent conference theme of HR evolution or extinction. In choosing this title, Stephen revealed his secret boyhood love of dinosaurs and his yearning to be a palaeontologist…

In a really engaging way Stephen tackled some of the significant issues for public sector HR:

• Selling ourselves as HR professionals better
• Celebrating success
• Working smarter - being more strategic
• Total rewards, rather than just pay
• Linking contribution and rewards better
• Tackling inequality

Our regional members got a chance to ask any and many questions of Stephen and the ‘up close and personal’ approach worked very well.

Rave comments afterwards included, “That was inspirational”, “…best session we’ve had as a region”,”…a very clear vision for public sector HR”.

Big thanks to Stephen. Also big thanks to LGA for so kindly hosting us at their Smith Square offices. So…other regions, if you haven’t booked him up yet, grab that phone or bash out an email…you’ll enjoy the result!

Dean Shoesmith - Chair of London Region / PPMA Vice President (Elect)