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Bob Athwal

An award-winning published author that is a performance-driven strategic thinker who can operationalise strategy.

An exceptional relationship builder and networker. Consistent leader in transforming team cultures to achieve business goals through behavioural change.

Extensive experience in Talent management including expertise in Early careers, Talent Development and Employer Branding as well as organization effectiveness. Analytical and highly focused in driving business performance excellence demonstrated in several industries including Retail, Energy and Education.

An exceptional Senior Stakeholder Influencer and Relationship Manager. Results Driven. A Consistent Track record for Developing and Inspiring High Performing Teams.

Professional Experience and Key Accomplishments

Leadership & Change Management
  • Have led on and delivered several high profile executive projects in several industry sectors including cultural change through effective behaviours.
  • Devised and delivered multiple strategic objectives resulting in several industry awards as well as employer rankings and endorsements.
  • Built several matrix managed professional teams resulting in exceptional levels of service provision to the business and external clients and stakeholders.
  • Established and led on Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and implementation for the University of Leicester.
  • Led on several external engagement activities to build benchmarking groups, as well as representation in a senior capacity at relevant industry groups, government taskforce groups and professional bodies. These experiences helped to champion activity, win awards and devise strategy accordingly for my employers.
Strategic Human Resources Management
  • Established a set of Leadership Indicators bringing clarity to what RWE npower wanted from leaders enabling development plans to be established.
  • Established single approach to succession planning and identified key resourcing issues. Created a talent pool and pipeline, implemented a rigorous approach to maintaining this and developing people within it.
  • Led on reward needs for management population within the functions, including some harmonisation from TUPE employees.
  • Led on and solved Critical employee engagement issues.
  • Ensure effective Links were maintained to HR Service Centre (shared service) and Centre’s of Expertise to ensure the needs of the Functions were met.
Stakeholder & Partner Management
  • Established C-Suite Programme sponsorship, associated Key Performance Indicators as well as annual monitoring and continuous improvement processes.
  • Procured, Established and Managed SLA’s with third parties to ensure operational effectiveness was being delivered in line with agreements.
  • Established Effective working relationships with Business Partners to continually improve and manage future business requirements to meet growth.
  • Continually reviewed relationships with Advertising Agencies, Preferred Suppliers as well as RPO’s.
    Established Programme Board comprising of senior stakeholders including RWE npower CEO to aid succession planning for graduates
Resourcing & Talent Management
  • Developed and aligned practices for the creation of a Centre of Expertise in resourcing
  • Established a clear end to end resourcing strategy through the improvement of assessment and selection processes resulting in a better pool of candidates, a better candidate experience and a cost saving to the business
  • Developed clear and effective workforce planning and succession planning processes to meet business needs
  • Led on creation of an In-House Temporary appointments agency adhering to all legal obligations to fulfill varied and seasonal demand. Through better sourcing, saved Organisation approximately £500K annually since conception.
  • Established an award-winning EVP twice to recruit graduates and Interns to work on Retail Management schemes in branches and Contact Centre’s.
  • Established successful Employee Referral Programme, resulting in better retention.

Education

  • 2014 – Present
    The University of Leicester

    PhD “The Hidden Career Stories” decoding Social Class.

  • 2005–2008
    The University of Southampton

    Executive MBA with Merit (AMBA accredited)

  • 1993–1996
    The University of Greenwich

    BSc (Hon’s) Business Systems Modelling

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