Jill Shedden started as a graduate trainee at British Gas in 1988. She held a range of roles across the group including HR director for British Gas Business and British Gas Residential.
As people director for British Gas Business, her role was to put people at the centre of the company, developing their relationships with customers. Through showing people the vision for the business and relentlessly communicating and demonstrating this to them, profit doubled.
Shedden subsequently transferred to British Gas Residential, taking with her the people-centric model. In 2009 the company struck a deal with rival provider EDF to acquire a 20% stake in nuclear power organisation British Energy, which operated 15 nuclear reactors across eight UK sites. It also acquired Aberdeen-based North Sea gas producer Venture Production in a hostile takeover.
Shedden has achieved operational and commercial success, as well as ‘Best Companies’ and ‘Great Places to Work’ awards throughout her career. She is on The Women’s Business Council, set up in 2012 to advise government on how women’s contribution to growth can be optimised. Its aim is to focus on areas with the greatest potential economic benefit and on recommendations with a clear economic case for action.
Recommended viewing
Transforming HR
Recommended reading
Interview with Jill Shedden
http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/hro/interviews/1019475...
Careers website
