Morrison Appoints New Human Resources Director

Sara Robertson has been appointed as director of people and organisation development at Morrison Facilities Services, which looks after 400,000 homes in the UK for councils, housing associations and arms length management organisations (ALMOs).

Commenting on her new appointment Sara said: “Morrison is an exciting business with tremendous potential which we can develop despite the current problems in the construction and housing markets. The company is firmly grounded in the social housing sector with a strong and stable revenue base which it can expand and develop as long as we remain passionate about the business and what we are trying to achieve.

“My role at the company will be to create a visible strategic proactive HR and SHE team. In order to achieve it we need effective two way engagement and we must align our goals with those of our customers and clients.

“I also aim to drive efficiency by removing bureaucracy and achieving consistency in approach. We need to get the basics right and make things simple, of course we must have appropriate controls in the business but there is no need to make things over complicated.

“I believe that people can achieve their aspirations if they truly want to and have the correct support mechanisms in place to help them. I aim to engender a straightforward philosophy – all people should be enthusiastic for their role and their organization, passionate and willing to take accountability through the application of high professional standards.”

Since joining Morrison Sara has visited many of the company’s national partnership contracts including Gateshead, Manchester Working, Midland Heart, Tamworth, MPC, City Care and Lambeth and Chartwell to get a feel for the business. Sara said: “I have been impressed by the hard work and commitment staff have shown. Everyone has a strong desire to ‘get on and do the job.’”

The tour has enabled Sara to establish priorities for the next six months which will include an increased level of focus on communication – both externally and internally, a system data cleanse, development of a suite of polices and processes, and a new performance management process which will include a commitment to training and development for all staff.

Sara will report to Guy Wakeley, Morrison Facilities Services, new chief executive. He said: “I am delighted to welcome Sara to Morrison. With her broad experience in human resources at director level she will help to deliver the next phase of development of the company. The business has grown rapidly in recent years and is now a leader in its field with good growth prospects.

“Over the past few months, we have put in place a strong and experienced team at the centre of this business, underpinning our commitment to retain and grow it. Sara’s experience makes her the ideal person to help consolidate Morrison Facilities Services’ position as a leading provider in its sector.”

Sara began her career with National Grid in 1983, joining straight from school. Starting as a mail room assistant she fulfilled a number of operational roles in procurement and fleet management and then progressed in her HR and change management career to reach HR Director. Sara has worked at director level in a number of blue chip companies in diverse industry sectors including telecoms, manufacturing, infrastructure and construction.

Sara lives with her partner and five children in Solihull. In her spare time she enjoys sailing and is a very keen Wales rugby fan, never missing a game where possible.

“My partner is an England fan so it can make for some interesting debates during the international season – dependent on who is winning of course,” said Sara.

She joins a senior executive team at Morrison Facilities Services which includes chief executive Guy Wakerley, Nigel Howell as finance director and Graham Eden as chief operating officer.