HR Director of the Year 2011


WINNER Catherine Taylor, HR director, Mercedes-Benz UK


FINALISTS


• Simon Dodd, commercial and people director, Orchid Group


• Sara Edwards, director of human resources worldwide, Orient Express


• Bethany Evans, HR director, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust


• John Handley, divisional HR director, international markets, Bupa


• Dina Knight, group HR director, e2V


• Derek Lindars, HR director, Avante Partnership


Benz UK board meetings, and was rarely on the agenda. By 2011, Taylor was considered an influential voice in driving the culture of the prestige car business forward. She joined Mercedes-Benz UK (MBUK) as


S hrmagazine.co.uk


the market collapsed and car sales went into free fall. As part of her baptism by fire, one of the first challenges was to find a way of reducing salary costs while minimising redundancies. This was achieved when 100% of staff accepted an immediate reduction in salary, in return for guaranteed employment for 12 months. This saved millions, saved jobs, retained talent and set the tone for her people- centric, troubleshooting approach to HR. HR at Mercedes has become more closely


aligned to business strategy and more results- oriented. Taylor has introduced leadership development at all levels, new recruitment


ince 2008, Catherine Taylor has transformed an outdated function that was a candidate for outsourcing into a truly integrated business part- ner. Previously, HR had no presence at Mercedes-


and induction processes, benefits, an acade- my, employee engagement, improved awards schemes – all interconnected, with a clear strategy linked to the business plan. She is a regular contributor at board


meetings, and her team sits in on senior team meetings, ensuring HR will never again lose its clear connection with business strategy. CFO Andy Williamson says: “Catherine has


done a tremendous job, bringing HR closer to the business, driving change and creating first-class training and development. Through her efforts, the management and staff at MBUK are seeing the benefit of a collaborative relationship with the HR function.” It is not just the business that is impressed


with Taylor. Suppliers mention her fairness, enthusiasm, commerciality and strategic focus. People who worked with her in previous companies say she inspired them and led positive culture change. Taylor’s leadership and strategy contributed


to the HR team’s first ever National Training Award – and the first to gain this accolade in the automotive industry. She can now proudly add HR magazine’s HR Director of the Year 2011 to her mantelpiece.


• Jabbar Sardar, HR director, Cafcass


• Sue Swanborough, HR director UK & Ireland, General Mills


• Neil Tune, HR director, Fitness First – South Europe & UK


Methodology A shortlist of 10 HRDs who had proved their business acumen and developed high-performing organisations within the past year was produced, following nominations from readers. This list was then put out for votes. The winner is the person with the most number of votes based on a methodology that weights votes from other HRDs most highly but also recognises votes from the business and from external sources. Votes from members of the finalist’s own department are discounted, on grounds of fairness.


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July 2011 HR Excellence Awards 1


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