South Yorkshire and District Branch

About the committee

The SY and District Branch committee is run by group of volunteer HR/OD professionals who work locally to provide you with the information, tools and events that you want.

We are always looking for people to get involved in the branch, and it is a great opportunity for individuals to give something back in a supportive, committed team. Like all volunteering, there is work to be done, but as much as you put in, you will get out.

If you would like to discuss getting involved, please contact Sally Senior  (Branch Chair).

How you can support the branch

Even if you can’t give the committee any time, there are many ways that you can support the branch and its activities, such as:

• attending as many of our events as possible (and where you book on but can’t attend cancel your booking so we know how many to cater for and whom to expect)
• providing us feedback on our activities
• engaging with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

This is a scheme that has been developed in other local branches with some success. It is recognised that many CIPD professionals would like to do more with the CIPD but are constrained by work pressures which deter them from committing to membership of the branch committee. Some may even be considering joining the committee but are uncertain as to what time commitment it entails.

'Friends of the Committee' comprises of a group of CIPD members who have expressed an interest in local CIPD affairs and would like to make a contribution. 'Friends of the Committee' will be included on the e-mail list to receive copies of branch communications including local branch minutes. Friends of the committee will be encouraged to make contact with committee members to express their views on current issues and events.

Other advantages of becoming a friend are:

• being involved in branch consultations on public policy issues
• being able to attend occasional committee meetings by prior arrangement
• for those considering joining the committee, invitation to the branch committee training days.

If you are interested in becoming a 'Friend of the Committee' please contact the branch administrator.

Welcome to our 2017 Mentoring Scheme.

A quick show of hands at a 2015 event revealed that approximately 5 from an audience of 40 were unaware that the Scheme existed and this was ultimate confirmation that our re-launch was overdue.

Mentoring is very much in the spotlight today with three quarters of organisations currently offering coaching and mentoring to their employees (People Management, November 2015).

What is mentoring and how can it help you in your professional development?

In the context of the workplace, mentoring is where two people enter into a supportive relationship to allow the mentee to strengthen their approach and skills in a particular area or to focus on achieving success in professional life. For example, upgrades to membership or development of personal skills for career progression. Usually they meet regularly over a number of months and the mentor will listen, offer support and challenge to allow the mentee to work at positive change to enhance their chances of success. Through these conversations the mentee is able to understand themselves as a professional at work and strengthen their approaches, tackle issues and move in new directions. Whether you are a seasoned HR practitioner, studying for CIPD qualifications or want to focus on particular areas or issues, mentoring may help you.

Contact

For further information about the mentoring scheme or any other queries please contact Mike Sinnett, the Branch Mentoring Scheme Coordinator.

Please note: the SYCIPD Mentoring Scheme is not linked to the national CIPD Mentoring Scheme.

The South Yorkshire & District Mentoring Scheme provides the opportunity for mentoring relationships, which primarily support Mentees in their professional and personal development. Working within appropriate frameworks, coaching techniques may also be needed during the process and as such, our Mentors will use their broad range of skills as appropriate.

The Scheme also provides opportunities for our Mentors to extend their own personal development, by working with branch members from varied backgrounds.

Our Mentoring relationships typically last around six months, during which around four to six meetings take place.

The purpose of our Scheme is therefore:

• to provide a valuable Mentoring service for branch members regardless of what stage they are at in their career
• to offer a list of Mentors with a broad range of skills and experience from which potential Mentees can choose.

Our mentors and how mentees can get in touch

Profiles are available on our Mentoring Scheme page. Once you have chosen a Mentor, please complete a Mentee Application Form and return it to the Mentoring Scheme Coordinator via the website for tracking purposes throughout the process. You may find it useful to consider more than one, in case your chosen Mentor does not have capacity for more relationships. You can then contact them direct.

If you are interested in becoming a Mentor, please complete a Mentor Application Form and return it to the Mentoring Scheme Coordinator.

Further information for mentors

All applications will be considered and we will advise you whether you have been successful. Our first Mentor training event is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2016 and further details will follow in due course.

Anyone wishing to join our Mentor list does not need to have had previous experience of Mentoring. Rather, we believe that it provides an opportunity for those who are keen to develop or enhance these skills.

The requirements are that you:

• must be a current, professional CIPD member ie Associate member, Chartered MCIPD or Chartered FCIPD
• complete an application form
• understand that the role is entirely voluntary and expenses are therefore not covered
• commit to participate in Mentoring Scheme activities wherever possible, in order share experiences, participate in peer mentoring and learn about new initiatives/changes to processes
• give agreement for the highlighted sections of your application form to be shared.

Any questions?

If you need any further information as a Mentor or Mentee, please don’t hesitate to contact our Mentoring Scheme Coordinator, Mike Sinnett.

Please note:

The South Yorkshire and District Mentoring Scheme is not linked to the national CIPD Mentoring Scheme.

All information you provide is used solely for the purpose of administering, maintaining and evaluating the SYCIPD Mentoring Scheme.

The Branch continues to source a range of mentors who have a wide range of skills, experience and approaches. Some have decades of mentoring experience, some have coaching and mentoring qualifications and some have newly entered the HR profession and so know what it feels like to be starting out. All are committed to helping support CIPD members in their professional development.

Barry Senior, Chartered FCIPD

Introduction
A highly experienced Management and Human Resource Development Consultant with over 20 years experience of working in both private and public sectors, working with SME’s and large organisations in the UK and both Bi-lateral and Multi-lateral agencies/governments overseas. Worked at all levels of government and private business from the strategic planning level to the grass roots implementation level, wide experience working as a facilitator/consultant/coach in change management, restructuring and capacity building programmes. Provides one to one coaching to Chief Executive’s of SME’s under the Government funded Business Growth Initiative programme.
Created, run and developed Critical Skills Development Consultancy Company. Qualified member of the “Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs” IOEE National Mentors Scheme.

Experience and skills

• Business Transformation/Restructuring/Commercialisation
• Performance Management /Assessment
• Provision of Mentoring/Coaching
• Small Business Development
• Management Training
• Change Management
• Organisation Development

Mentoring experience

• Provision of facilitation and mentoring to Individuals and Groups both within the UK and overseas
• Provision of mentoring services to SME Chief Executives
• Provision of Mentoring/Coaching and Process Consultation to Senior/Middle and Junior level staff in large government departments

Willing to work in…
South Yorkshire, Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire

Personal interests
Motorhoming, Travel, Family, Sailing, Sheffield United FC, Golf

Hilary Brearley, Chartered MCIPD

Introduction
I have a broad range of HR and OD experience, working my way through a wide range of HR/OD positions. My final two positions were as HR Director - one in local government and the other in the NHS. Previously, I have worked in the private sector (Retail and Logistics), and last year set up my own business as an HR/OD Consultant.

My roles have all been generalist HR, but with a special interest in Organisation change and workforce development and engagement. I have studied for the ILM Level 7 in Coaching since setting up my own business, as a lot of my Organisation change work includes both individual and team coaching. I also work as an associate trainer for an organisation specialising in workforce wellbeing.

Experience and skills

• Resourcing (Recruitment, retention, payroll)
• Organisational transformation
• Tupe
• Employee relations
• Wellbeing
• Organisation Development and Engagement
• Coaching
• Business change facilitation

Mentoring experience
I have worked as a mentor in the course of my HR roles, and as part of a graduate training scheme in one of my employing organisations.

Willing to work in…
South Yorkshire

Personal interests
Horse riding, theatre (ballet), food

Jayne Tory, Chartered FCIPD

Introduction
As a Senior HR Business Partner for ASDA I operate in a dynamic business where change is the norm. The partnership I have developed with the leadership team I support allows me to deliver an HR service through the line, shaping our operating model, developing talent and creating a culture of engagement.

I have worked for ASDA for 22 years in total in a variety of positions within HR across Reward, Payroll, Incentives, Engagement and Training and Development. In the last five years I have had a fantastic opportunity to be the Country Lead for the introduction of HR optimisation in the UK for Wal-Mart, and have spent a number of weeks a year on the project in the USA.

Experience and skills

• HR transformation
• Business partnering
• Training and development
• Talent and succession planning
• Compensation and benefits

Mentoring experience
I have mentored colleagues at work and also mentored as part of an initiative where the aim is to inspire and empower ‘M.A.D.’ – 'Making A Difference', which involves women working in not for profits, charities and social enterprises around the world that are already making a difference to women and girls.

Willing to work in…
Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, Leeds and Barnsley

Personal interests
Reading and gardening

Kathy Town, Chartered MCIPD

Introduction
My background was in financial services for over 30 years and at senior management level for over 25 years. I am currently working in the NHS on Quality and Leadership Development I have managed teams of various sizes, worked as part of a team and also in self-contained roles. My main focus has always been in the areas of personal development and business excellence.

Experience and skills

• Employee Engagement
• Business planning
• Vision and values
• Culture
• HR
• Customer Services
• Payroll
• Pensions
• Accredited EFQM Excellence Model Assessor
• PgCert Coaching & Mentoring

Mentoring experience
I have experience of mentoring and coaching across all levels of the organisation - from Chairman and Chief Executive to front line employee.

Willing to work in…
Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and East Midlands

Personal interests
Formula 1, football, live music, cinema, reading, gardening, yoga

Lynn Clark, Chartered FCIPD 

Introduction
Lynn is an HR and development professional with considerable commercial experience, including setting up and running her own businesses. Her career in operational HR roles initially covered patients, toilet rolls, peas, pick and mix and money lending. She has since worked in consultancy and interim roles in financial services, distribution, transport, police, fire and rescue, local government and not for profit sector. Personal and management development, career coaching and outplacement, and business start up and growth, have been the focus of her work over recent years, working with groups and individuals at all levels across a variety of contexts. A skilled facilitator and coach, her approach to working with individuals and groups is informal, supportive, non-judgmental and pragmatic with a focus on ensuring that learning is applied to the real working environment and that personal development is achieved.

Experience and skills

• Facilitating and supporting change at organisational and individual levels
• Personal development, designing and delivering programmes and coaching individuals and groups
• Leadership and management development – designing and delivering training and providing group and one to one coaching
• Facilitation for away-days, effective working and business planning
• Developing rapport and productive working relationships
• Incisive, quickly establishing what needs to happen and how
• Skilled communicator and presenter
• Leadership and management of groups, including volunteers (CIPD Chair roles)

Mentoring experience

• Development of trainers in design and delivery
• Supporting individuals through job search and career transition
• One to one coaching at senior management level
• Supporting SME’s for business growth - new business start ups
• HR support to small businesses and sole HR practitioners

Willing to work in…
South Yorkshire
, North Derbyshire, Greater Manchester

Personal interests
I am a very sociable person and enjoy spending time with people, friends and family. I enjoy walking and spending time in the countryside. 
I love music, especially live, and enjoy the theatre. Have recently become a volunteer at the Shepherd Wheel.

Mike Sinnett, Chartered FCIPD

Introduction
Hi, I’m Mike and I live in Sheffield. I have a wife and a daughter, who is currently studying to become a dance teacher. I started my career in the IT industry but after 4 years I became fed up with that. I moved into teaching spending 3 years as a Computer Studies Lecturer in a Technical College. I then joined HSBC and for the next 30 years worked in both HR and L&D. My roles included: trainer, L&D manager, internal L&D consultant and HR Specialist. During my HSBC career I delivered training programmes overseas as well as spending 3 years running the L&D team in HSBC Bank Malta. I left HSBC in 2008 to become an independent consultant providing coaching and training in every aspect of people development and communication.

Experience and skills
My L&D experience includes the design and delivery of training programmes in:

• leadership and management
• performance management
• coaching
• mentoring
• teamwork
• effective communication
• personal effectiveness
• recruitment and selection
• interviewing.

My HR experience includes the design and delivery of HR processes for performance management, career development, recruitment and selection, job descriptions and job evaluation, absence management and talent management.

Mentoring experience
I have been a mentoring professionally for 25 years. I have mentored people at all levels in the following situations:

• graduates joining HSBC
• people experiencing major change including takeovers/mergers and working overseas
• helping people to achieve their personal goals
• helping people with their job search and ideal role identification.

Willing to work in…
South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire

Personal interests
Keeping up to date with the latest trends in L&D and HR, going to the theatre, dining out, travel, spending time with my family

Robert Miller, Chartered MCIPD

Introduction
I am an HR manager and have spent most of my career working for the DWP. I initially worked in Jobcentres delivering a range of job broking services to claimants. I moved to Sheffield in 1985 to undertake a more corporate role and at that point moved into an HR role. The role of HR in government has undergone a radical transformation in the time I’ve been here. We were initially seen as a function that dealt with and resolved a whole range of ‘personnel’ matters/problems with strict adherence to HR policies and past precedent. Now the role is a much more strategic one working with the business through a network of HR Business Partners to help support and deliver the department’s objectives.

Experience and skills
Good generalist experience gained from working in a large government Dept. For example, attendance management, performance management, employee relations. Currently engaged in a range of strategic workforce planning issues (working closely with Finance colleagues) as the Dept seeks to re-structure its workforce to take account of the government’s welfare reforms, deficit reduction targets and the growing digital agenda. This involves a host of re-balancing activity like progression, external fixed term recruitment, compulsory transfers and seeking early retirements from amongst some of our workforce.

Mentoring experience
More so in a work sense, helping mentor colleagues new to the HR work role. Couple of earlier instances via the Branch, but not particularly successful. Contributed to the mentor document the branch produced 2 years ago.

Willing to work in…
In and around Sheffield

Personal interests
Gardening, DIY, music, reading member of gym, some sport.