Name
Jonathan Potter
Job title
Operations and HR director, Echo Managed Services
What are your key responsibilities?
To implement a cohesive people strategy and promote a culture change that creates an internal brand. We want people to perceive us as being a great company to work for.
Previous jobs (both HR and non-HR)?
I started as an apprentice electrical and electronic engineer before joining British Aerospace in 1989. I then joined the personnel team working on a project, eventually becoming an HR adviser. In 1999, I was appointed HR manager of field-based operations at mail order company JD Williams before being promoted in 2001 to HR business manager for the customer services division. Then last summer I joined Echo Managed Services which provides customer service solutions.
Why did you choose Echo?
The position brought with it a formal directorship and an opportunity to help shape the future direction of the business.
What attracted you to a career in HR?
It allows me to influence, support, develop and direct people from every walk of life across all levels of the business.
What key skills do you need to be successful in your current role?
Commercial awareness, common sense, enthusiasm, an ability to build solid working relationships based on trust and respect, and a good sense of humour.
What do you enjoy most about your current job?
Seeing people within the organisation achieving business results and personal goals they didn't believe were possible.
What do you enjoy least about your job?
Motorways. I live in Macclesfield and work in Walsall and Exeter.
What has been your greatest achievement in work?
Seeing members of my HR team at JD Williams develop into true HR professionals and ambassadors for their profession and the company.
What is the most important contribution that HR can make to a business?
To understand the impact of an integrated approach to linking the company's business plan to its people strategy.
If you weren't working for Echo, which company would you most like to work for?
I think I'd like to run my own business, or have a couple of years being Sting's roadie (no, not groupie).
What measures do you use to see how good a job you are doing?
Client and employee feedback are key barometers of our success. .