In our first Listen.Better interview of 2023, I interviewed Sally Hopper Director of Human Resources at Hertfordshire County Council to discuss the challenges and opportunities of working in the public sector. We delve into the importance of employee engagement and experience, as well as the strategies used to communicate with a team of over 8000 people.
We also explore the current challenges faced by Herts County Council and gain insight into Sally’s leadership approach, highlights and lowlights, and the importance placed on self-care in a role that requires being there for everyone.
In this interview we asked:
Q1. Can you paint a picture of the challenges and opportunities of working in the Public Sector?
Q2. How important is employee engagement/experience to you?
Q3. How do you communicate with a team of over 8000 people?
Q4. What are the particular challenges HCC is facing right now (e.g. migration, cost of living, pressures on NHS due to covid and flu)
Q5, How would you describe your approach to leadership and what have been your highlights and lowlights?
Q6. What importance do you place on self-care when you are in a role, which requires you to be there for everyone?
Bio
Sally is the Director of Human Resources at Hertfordshire County Council, with a workforce of over 8,000 staff, working everyday to contribute to the vision and priorities centred around four key areas: improving the health and wellbeing of our people, protecting, and improving our environment, supporting the sustainable and responsible growth of our county, and providing excellent services that are accessible for all.
She has contributed to practice through research, lectures, webinars, and events on subjects ranging from organisational change, motivation, ethics, financial wellbeing, to responsible business. She came into the HR profession with the aim to make work better and to ‘call out’ and influence things that fall short of that. She continues that endeavour in all she contributes to the profession. Sally has mentored and coached many coming into and up through the profession, always keen to invest in the next generation of HR practitioners. She recognises that apprenticeships are a key contributor to skills and social mobility and is proud to have over 300 at Hertfordshire County Council, one of which won the 2022 PPMA apprentice of the year award. She is a Trustee of the London Playing Fields Foundation, recognising the benefits green spaces bring to one’s wellbeing and sense of belonging. She is keen to inspire all who know, work and support her, in this ongoing quest to make the world of work better.
If you are a business owner or leader in an organisation and would like to be interviewed for the Q&R Listen.Better vodcast series in 2023 please do get in touch for an initial chat: tellmemore@questionandretain.co.uk