Job title: HR director
Company: Avon Cosmetics
Job responsibilities
Ensuring that HR strategy is linked to meeting business goals and putting it into practice; talent management; and workforce development.
Previous jobs
Ive been at Avon for 12 years. Most recently I was head of HR operations; before that I was a line manger (quality and inventory); and before that a strategy and support manager.
What attracted you to working in your business sector?
Direct selling is about relationships between employees and customers. I enjoy being able to influence these relationships positively. There is also the glamour of the brand.
Which of your previous jobs has had the most impact on your current role?
Being a line manager gave me an important perspective for running a service function later on.
What are the key skills that you need to succeed in your current role?
I need a good understanding of the business. Functional expertise in HR is important, as well as a strong sense of corporate responsibility and an ability to argue your case.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Making sure people management is central to business strategy.
What do you enjoy least about your job?
Not always having instant access to HR data.
What has been your greatest achievement in work?
With a colleague I won the global award at Avon in 1998 for the implementation of a change strategy. It is the chairmans award and very prestigious internally.
Who has been the greatest influence on your work?
My previous boss, Bronwen Curtis she taught me that theres no point developing HR solutions for problems that dont exist.
How big a part does human resources play in your company?
A very large part. Encouraging people to develop their potential is a corporate objective.
What is the most important contribution that HR makes to business?
Ensuring that people are valued, appreciated and rewarded.
Which business person do you most admire?
Our chief executive, Andrea Jung, for her vision, including her vision for women (our UK board is 50:50 men to women). She has done a lot of work making Avon much more up-to-date.