Alex is Group HR Director at BT
Alex's story
I came from a family background of strong union supporters and an environment of heavy unionisation so I grew up understanding their impact. Joining HR at that time was a natural extension of my background and interests.
I studied History and Economics at university and went straight into Personnel (as it was called at that time) for Ford Motor Company. I spent a lot of time in industrial relations. Half my time was at the Ford Motor plant in Dagenham, a very formative experience as this was pre-Thatcher and quite a militant area.
I was headhunted to the British conglomerate, Grand Metropolitan where I spent 12 years, five of those in the US. I worked predominantly in HR apart from two periods working in a general manager role. It gave me a great insight into the business and a different view of the contribution of HR. I stepped back into HR after both of my stints in general management, returning with a greater understanding of the importance of applying a business perspective to any of the work carried out by HR.
My next role was as HR Director and Managing Director for Guinness Europe and then I followed the chief executive of Guinness to ICI to take the position of head of HR and communications. I valued my relationship with the CEO and enjoyed my two years there but I missed the customer interface that I had in my previous roles.
I moved to BT in 2002 as Group HR Director for several reasons, apart from wanting to go back into a consumer business. BT had been through a catastrophic period with huge debt. There was a new chairman and chief executive and the HR role would really make an impact and offer a chance to turn the business around– I love a challenge. The chief executive also wanted someone in their senior leadership team who happened to do HR – they valued my business acumen and what I could bring to the role.
What do you enjoy most about HR?
The breadth of what you can see across a business when you work in HR. You see how different areas operate and interact – an understanding of business you don’t get elsewhere.
Dealing with people, as they can be so unpredictable – which is a great challenge.
The opportunity to provide insight-driven HR. In HR you can make more radical differences to an organisation than anyone else, with the right leadership and qualities in the workforce.
HR careers advice
Join the right organisation that matches your values and beliefs - and your expectations of HR. You want to work somewhere where you can make a difference.
Understand the characteristics you need to have as an individual – you need to have confidence, guts, influence and persuasion and accountability.