020 3633 6830
People Director
Highly motivated, commercial, strategic People Director (with international Main Board Director & latterly CEO, experience), dedicated to supporting & transforming businesses, with a passion for understanding & increasing individual self awareness to optimize development, self learning & mental wellbeing.
Summary
Seasoned HR professional & latterly People Director with a positive, pragmatic, inspiring, personal approach.
25 years experience in Professional Services (mainly legal), Banking & Recruitment sectors working in a cross section of global corporates & SME businesses (Cushman & Wakefield, CSFB, Manches, Petroplan)
Last 7 years International People Director, Main Board Director & latterly CEO of £80m global energy recruitment business. Responsible for all people (employees) and contractor employees world wide so developed v strong compliance & labour law knowledge in USA, Canada, Africa (South Africa & Mozambique), Middle East (Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Asia (Azerbaijan, Singapore) & Europe. Travelled extensively in all countries and had strong client relationships with – BP, Sasol, Suncor, Technip (as well as others) as well as strong banking relations with HSBC (much of which I miss!). Created and delivered the People agenda across business and to a certain extent to clients (via contractor offering)
Positive, pragmatic, inspiring, extremely capable, solutions focused, direct & empathetic. Innovative in getting the results and able to utilise others and opportunities to their best advantage. Not afraid of taking chances, making decisions and assuming responsibility for getting things done.
Outstanding people skills including the ability to influence motivate, inspire, have fun and also direct(if necessary) at all levels; Well practised at assessing businesses, and then delivering effective people solutions and strategies to improve business performance.
What Others Say About Philippa
- “Philippa is one of the most effective people I have worked with. She just rolls her sleeves up and gets on with the job. Always ready to go the extra mile she has a great empathy with people, which helps enormously when dealing with difficult problems and situations. Quick to learn, Philippa always provides options and solutions to problems encountered. She is rigorous in her application of standards and speaks her mind even when the news is difficult. She is great fun to work with too - which is a big help in trying times”, CEO, Petroplan
- “Philippa Barnes is the consummate professional and SME in all areas of Human Capital/Human Resources. Well connected, resourceful, and results oriented, Philippa Barnes is the “Go To” for innovative solutions in the Human Capital arena.” Jeff Fox, Staffing Industry, USA
See what our clients say!
Lynn's work as our trusted HR consultant and my mentor has been absolutely invaluable.
Oktawia Ellis, HR Manager, We Seal
I have the distinct pleasure of working with Lynn at People Puzzles. Her work over the last few years as our trusted HR consultant and my mentor has been absolutely invaluable. Lynn is an expert in her field, she is very knowledgeable, encourageing, supportive, and an effective leader. She is also really funny and a pleasure to be around! I learned a lot from Lynn and I would strongly recommend her.
The impact Lynn has already had on our challenges are beyond my expectations
James Laxton, Managing Director, Laxtons
I have only been working with Lynn for 6 months but the impact she has already had on the challenges we gave her are beyond my expectations and those of my senior leadership team. She has engaged with all our staff and her people approach is a breath of fresh air for the business. The HR support she has given me has made some very difficult issues appear straight forward and she has given me a new lease of life in the business. We would not have been able to get to where we are now without her wealth of experience and hands on people approach and I am excited to see what the future brings working with Lynn.
Every team leader can now make decisions in line with the vision
Roy Bowie, Managing Director, GreenBlue Urban
I used to have the view that HR was managing difficult cases and moving people on with occasional recruitment support. But what People Puzzles does is so much more than that. It’s about the development of the business and its people as a whole which has been the biggest eye opener for me.
People Puzzles has become a trusted partner providing valuable scrutiny of our HR practices.
Crawford Knott, Managing Director, Hawk Training
Our workforce and people planning strategy needed developing and there was a clear need to better articulate our strategy to our colleagues. Doing the People Puzzles Discovery, allowed us to gain an objective view of where we were as a business in terms of our people and where we needed to develop in order to meet our goals. The output highlighted we needed to better define our vision, mission, values and strategy to enable our people to live and breathe them. Kerry worked closely with us to provide solutions and an HR work plan to support implementation. I would certainly recommend a Discovery from People Puzzles if you want to gain a clear insight as to where you need to develop your HR strategy, or to implement one if it’s something you don’t have already.
Janet and People Puzzles have been invaluable to me and my Senior Team.
Dave Henderson, Group CEO, Direct Voice and Data
Janet spent time understanding our business needs and aspirations, then developed a people management strategy which she continues to oversee and deliver. Janet also provides 1-2-1 coaching to the SMT- she is professional, proactive and friendly and we are extremely pleased with the support and advice we have received. Janet is always available and quick to respond, the guidance and assistance given allows us to feel confident we’re approaching any HR matters the right way. I would happily recommend Janet to any business who needs HR support.
Alison only worked for us part-time but had a full-time presence and influence.
Duncan Forbes, Interim CEO, Valleys to Coast
Alison was always a sound, reliable and expert source of practical advice and made things happen. She has a good sense of humour and was very easy to work with. She acted as the sounding board that every Chief Executive needs, supporting the Board to deal with some difficult HR issues. She was a vital source of calm at the outbreak of the COVID pandemic as we grappled with the impact on the organisation and our team. I would strongly recommend her as a strategic HR advisor as she would be an asset to any Executive team, providing effective support and expert advice.
Lynn's approach is refreshing and ensures you get where you want to be much quicker than we would otherwise.
Tony Passmore, CEO, Passmore Group
Lynn has worked as our HR consultant for the last year and has helped us bring structure to our HR systems & processes – she has reviewed all our procedures as well creating new ones and for sure the Company and it’s people have benefited. Her matter of fact approach is refreshing and ensures you get where you want to be much quicker than we would otherwise. She is a hands on ‘do-er’ who gets things done and I recommend her to anyone who needs some real expertise in their HR.
Working with Gill has helped us develop a People Plan which goes beyond compliance
Bernard Sellars, Managing Director, Lindum Packaging
Working with Gill from People Puzzles has helped us develop a People Plan which goes beyond compliance – it has helped us as a team to achieve greater alignment and engagement with the business strategy and goals.
I found the personal development coaching I received from Lynn to be very beneficial.
Alex Calvert, Marketing and PR Account Manager, Intandem Communications Ltd
I found the personal development coaching I received from Lynn to be very beneficial. Lynn helped me to work on some very clear objectives with a good balance of supportiveness and knowing when to challenge and push me out of my comfort zone!
We are now in a strong position from a people perspective, to leverage the next 6 months and beyond
Craig Bennett, CEO, Sigma Group
Paula developed a clear People plan and road map, which has significantly moved us on. She has developed the existing HR team, and has ensured that we have progressed quickly on all the strategic initiatives that we identified. I’m confident that based on the last 6 months, with Paula’s input and contribution, we are now in a strong position from a people perspective, to leverage the next 6 months and beyond.
A very professional team
Chris Morling, Founder & CEO, Money.co.uk
It’s been brilliant to have such knowledgeable consultants help us to empower our people. Stuart and Sophie were incredibly flexible, adapting their services to our business and existing culture. I’d highly recommend People Puzzles.
Shifted my view of HR!
Gavin Pooley, Managing Director, Liquidline
I used to think that HR was all about employment law compliance and managing the administration basics. I didn’t get the hugely positive impact strategic HR could make to the business – I do now!’
Transformed my understanding
Managing Director, B2B Supplies and Support Services
Having Alison on the team is like having another MD/MBA in the business. She has totally transformed my understanding of HR.
Fantastic support!
Kerry Berry, Director, S&K Berry Associates LLP
Lynn has been a fantastic support to us and an ongoing fountain of knowledge. If you have a business and/or staff you need to take care of, you need a Lynn on your team!
Such a detailed process
Sue Ford, Director, Bridge Case Management
Lynn ran a detailed process and I wasn’t allowed to get away with anything – All relevant issues were included and dealt with objectively.
We’ve accomplished a lot!
Joseph Carr, Managing Director, Carrs Pasties
This is an inspiring story and it’s all true. I can’t believe it’s about us! We’ve accomplished a lot over the last 18 months.
Helping us shape the business
Stuart Hill, CEO, WNDirect
Carole has helped me and the business massively and added real value while helping us shape the business.
Vee has now been Albany's HR Director for a year, and has delivered a huge amount for the company
Bertie Kerr, Managing Director, Albany Associates Ltd
Vee started with a baseline study of where we were. She then presented a work plan to deliver over the coming months, and while some priorities have changed it is impressive to look back and see how much has been achieved. She has become a trusted member of the senior team, providing advice and guidance on difficult topics, and is regularly consulted by the staff for her input.
Alison joined Valleys to Coast in March 2019 on an interim basis and 18 months later is still with us!!
Joanne Oak, Chief Executive Officer, Valleys to Coast Housing
Alison has been instrumental working with me to recruit to a permanent role. Alison’s approach has been one of partnership, contributing as part of the strategic leadership team, which has been critically important given the turbulence the organisation has been through. Alison is always available, responsive and I would highly recommend her from expert HR support to
Over the last 3 years, People Puzzles has helped build a very strong people culture at the RVT Group
Phil Dupont, Director, RVT Group
We now have a clear Vision for the Companies 5 Pillars, In-house manager, leadership ‘Power 90’ Training and a rhythm of key meetings throughout each year. This has had a direct contribution to the significant growth of the company in the last 3 years… With this support from People Puzzles continuing, the company continues to grow both financially and culturally for the benefit of all.