“You have to have the right balance of sympathy, empathy and compassion coupled with resilience and business acumen to help leaders make and enact tough decisions when it matters. It can feel like a lonely place at times.” – Fiona Williams, Human Resources Director at Buro Happold talks about a common misconception by HR practitioners.
As part of our commitment to support candidates in developing fulfilling careers, we’ve invited HR Leaders from a wide variety of organisations to share their insights on building a career, the challenges they face and what advice they would share with those hoping to follow their footsteps.
This week, we had a great conversation with Fiona Williams, a Chartered MCIPD HR professional. Fiona chose HR as a subject while at university, jumpstarting her almost two-decades-long HR career. She has an honours degree in HR & Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Information Management.
Fiona joined various organisations as an HR Manager, HR Advisor and Account Manager. Now, she is the Human Resources Director of the engineering and consultancy firm Buro Happold.
Can you tell us how you got started in your HR career?
I went to the business school at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Human Resources was one of the subjects I took in first year, not knowing anything about it. It just so happened that I did quite well and got good marks in my first year. We then had to narrow it into two subjects, so I took Marketing and HR and left University with a 2:1 joint Honours degree. As part of the course I was able to attain my graduate CIPD membership and then upgrade to a chartered membership several years later.
The path that I took to Chartership was less common I would say. In some ways, it was easier because I got it as part of my degree and didn’t have to go through all the exams whilst having to work. However, my university degree was very theoretical and there was no practical application. I had never set foot in an office or seen what it was like to work in an organisation. When you are doing your qualifications when you are working I think it is easier to apply your learning.
I would say most people who go into HR as a career have to start at the bottom. Those that are most successful in HR have learnt by doing, writing contracts, taking minutes in disciplinary hearings, updating HR systems etc. It’s how you learn and then as you progress you have that base knowledge and application to provide the confidence in a more senior role. It helps give you credibility because you have experienced it all. You wouldn’t want a surgeon operating on you that hadn’t gone to medical school and learned how to do it. HR is a bit like that. You’ve got to get the practical experience in the basics to gain the respect and reputation that you know what you are doing and be able to confidently advise the business. It can feel like a long way to climb, but if you are good then you can quickly move up. Being in HR is a lot of fun but there are serious issues that have to be dealt with and having practical experience of dealing with disciplinaries and sensitive people issues, helps you develop into a great senior HR professional.
My first couple of roles helped me get a good practical grounding in the application of HR. After that I began to progress and realised, I enjoyed generalist HR and business partnering. It was a space where you felt connected to the business and really able to add value. In my early career it was more about the HR job than the company, I was still learning my craft and just wanted experience. It was only on joining Buro Happold that I started to think about the type of company that I wanted to work in. It’s better to share their values and ethos otherwise it’s hard to help them achieve their strategy.
I’ve been fortunate in that in my 10 years in Buro Happold, I’ve moved into various roles, seeing my career progress from HR BP to UK HR Director.
Can you tell us some of the challenges you faced whilst working in HR?
The pandemic was something that was done to us all. It was hugely stressful, but at the same time a great learning experience. HR was really in the thick of it. It was actually an insane but rewarding time.
HR was put in the spotlight and was able to demonstrate its value. It allowed us to be at the table and shape the direction of the business as well as supporting our people through extremely challenging times. It also allowed us to get items on the agenda such as wellbeing and diversity and inclusion, showing senior leaders why these topics matter and how they impact the bottom line. We are working on many projects now supporting wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, attraction and retention. Businesses are realising that these are not just fluffy things that the HR department is talking about. HR is helping the business to realise that these are key business imperatives that they need our help to deliver. People won’t accept anything less anymore. The great reshuffle has made people focus on what’s important and HR have a huge part to play in helping organisations navigate the new normal and the future of work as well as driving the strategic direction of the company and keeping people motivated and engaged.
Can you share some advice with those planning to pursue an HR career?
Network as much as you can. I’ve spent a lot of time in my career going to HR events and keeping in touch with people to build my HR network. Its so valuable to have people outside your organisation to speak to and to bring that knowledge back in. Having a strong HR network can also help with developing your career.
Think about the sector you want to work in and why. If your values and beliefs are closely aligned to the business it makes it much easier to help leaders deliver their strategy and shape a strong people agenda around that. You will also get more enjoyment out of your role.
Fiona joined Buro Happold in 2011 as its Regional HR Team Leader. She worked up the ranks to be the Regional HR Consultant, and Head of HR for both the UK and Europe. In her 10th year in the company, she was named as its Human Resources Director.