The 51-year-old had an extensive career in public services, holding senior HR positions in the NHS and local government.
“Jan Parkinson was a standard bearer for great HR, she was a generous member of the HR community sharing and supporting others wherever she could. Her passion for life and her sense of humour were contagious and she will be sadly missed by so many,” said Angela O’Connor, the chief executive of HR Lounge, where Parkinson had been an associate.
Parkinson most recently worked as the interim chief executive of the Employee Relations Institute. Prior to this, she was strategic director at Gateshead Council and in 2005 she was president of the Public Sector People Managers’ Association (PPMA).
Rita Sammons, a past president of the PPMA in 1999-2000, described Parkinson as somebody with a “real zest for life and a great energy and enthusiasm for the new and exciting”.
“Although sadly diagnosed with inoperable cancer some nine months ago, Jan was positive and realistic about the challenge she faced. In her own inimitable style she set herself a list of enjoyable things to achieve so that she could always focus on something good,” Sammons said.
“She was a great friend and good HR colleague to many and will be sadly missed.”
