the HRD talks
Nic Elliott, employment lawyer at Actons talks to HR Directors and People Directors about their journey into HR, gets their insights into current trends in the world of work and takes their advice on the future of HR and how HR professionals can deliver value and progress their careers.
Actons is the independent Nottingham law firm. We’re well-known for our open and friendly culture, underpinned by top-quality legal advice. Whilst our origins date back some 200 years, we’re a modern, progressive, ambitious law firm. We're proud to work with SMEs, owner managed business, individuals and large corporates, providing practical and commercial legal advice.
LI: The HRD Talks | Podcast
the HRD talks
Dawn Browne, People & Talent Director at Fuller's
In this episode Dawn Browne, People and Talent Director at Fuller’s talks to Nic as the podcast goes on tour, recording from the Hercules pub in central London!
Dawn shares her career journey, having never intended to work in HR, starting out at British Airways, joining Quantas, then Compass Group, before joining Fuller’s 12 years ago. Nic asks Dawn about the leadership lessons she learned working with baggage handlers and cabin crew!
Dawn talks about how she fell in love with Fuller’s as a business and progressed to the role of People and Talent Director. She shares the importance of their business to the local community and the value of great leaders to success.
Nic and Dawn discuss the challenges of significant business change, with Dawn describing how selling the brewing side of the business was managed. Dawn shares how she built a new look people function and developed trust with the operational side of the business.
Dawn also shares how the business approaches its values – and how their people genuinely live and breathe them. Nic asks how Fuller’s have approached the challenge of recruitment and retention. Dawn specifically focuses on retention as the key to avoiding a recruitment problem.
Dawn talks about “inclusion” and the journey of education and engagement. She shares details around the businesses' focus on “age”, seeking to recruit older workers to the sector. Nic also asks Dawn about her journey as a female in a male-dominated industry. Dawn describes how being the business's first female executive has impacted her and the business.
Dawn shares her advice around career progression and her tips for moving towards the top job in a people function, and making it about the success of your business!
Supplier shout-out: JR Comms (Jess Roberts) - Internal Communication and Employee Experience | Jessica Roberts Communications (jrcomms.co.uk) and Wage Stream - Financial wellbeing for frontline workers - Wagestream
Dawn’s LinkedIn: Dawn Browne | LinkedIn
Nic’s LinkedIn: Nic Elliott | LinkedIn
The HRD Talks is brought to you by Actons. For more information on our podcast please visit our website.
