8 . Glasgow Business December 2014
Cordia launches a training scheme to encourage more young people to work in the care sector 10
CHAMBER CHAT
With Jim McHarg, Group Head of Learning and HR Business Partner for Weir Group, and Director of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
BUSINESS Describe your role/job? As Group Head of Learning and HR Business Partner for the Weir Group, I am responsible for setting and delivering the global HR, talent and development strategy in collaboration with my HR colleagues and senior operational and functional leaders from across all divisions and regions.
What skills do you bring to the table/are required in your role?
As a qualified chartered mechanical engineer working in the HR profession in a global FTSE 100 engineering group, I am fortunate and well placed to provide direction and guidance on growing the organisation’s capability for the future. This requires me to think strategically, influence senior stakeholders within and outwith Weir, understand business implications and at times be resilient.
What has been your career highpoint? Having started off my career as an apprentice with Weir Pumps (many moons ago) and having worked with various large engineering organisations along the way, a highlight for me was to be given the opportunity to return to Weir and take up an HR role with a strategic global remit, in the organisation that set me on my career path some 23 years earlier. This, coupled with obtaining fellowships with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, are my career highlights.
What’s the best thing about Glasgow Chamber of Commerce? Since I became a Chamber Council Director in 2012, I have been so
impressed by the enthusiasm and drive that the Chamber demonstrates to bring about positive change for the city. This was exemplified during the work that I was involved in with the Youth Employment Action Group during 2013/14.
What one thing would you wish for Glasgow in the future? 2014 was a remarkable year for Scotland and in particular Glasgow. It will take a lot to beat it in the future. So as a very proud Glaswegian, I wish that collectively we will use 2014 as a springboard to further the growth of our city on all fronts and that while the city is branded “People Make Glasgow” we must also ensure that “Glasgow Makes People” successful.
PERSONAL What do you do to relax at the weekend? To relax at the weekend I spend time with my family, clock up some miles on my road bike and catch up on some reading.
What is your favourite city outside the UK and why? In Easter 2013, I was fortunate to visit New York City for the first time with my family and friends. I was blown away with the sheer size and scale of the city – an amazing place.
Name your favourite book, film and album? Book: Anything by Dan Brown or John Grisham. Film: I’m not a big movie fan, but I did enjoy the Bond movie Skyfall.
Album: Permanent Shade of Blue by Andrew Roachford.
What is your most embarrassing or humbling experience? There have been too many in both categories, but I guess the most humbling experience was my recent visit to The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and being made aware of its great work. This resulted in me taking on a 105-mile cycle in September to raise funds for its Brick by Brick Appeal.
If you could host a dinner party with four guests, who would you choose (two living, two dead)? Sir Chris Hoy, Billy Connolly, Nelson Mandela and Steve Jobs.
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