Heartbeat: Lesley waves goodbye after 29 years in HR

May 24, 2019

Lesley Barnett, Deputy Director of People and Organisational Development, recently left the Trust to take early retirement. She first joined the organisation in a HR operations role 29 years ago, and has seen it go through many changes.

Her role, and that of the wider team, has had to adapt too. “When I joined HR back in 1990 it would have been a very administrative support function, whereas now it’s very much a professional HR service,” says Lesley.

“We’re involved in transformation work. We use data to drive evidence-based practice. We focus on LEAN methodology to ensure we’re productive in supporting the needs of the organisation. We work very closely with our finance colleagues.”

Throughout this move in a new and more modern direction, Lesley has taken great pride and pleasure in her work. She points out a few things in particular. “I enjoy the variety. I enjoy the challenges involved in it and the people I work with. Every day is different. I’ll very much miss the team I work for and the team spirit we have.” she says.

“I’m proud of the HR service we’ve developed. I manage a number of different teams within the OD directorate and make sure that they work effectively together. I think we use the skills of the various teams together to support the services of the organisation, and we’ve got a very can-do attitude. I think we’ve got a very effective HR team so I’m proud of what I’m leaving behind.”

Having devoted so much of her working life to the Trust, Lesley is excited to explore new opportunities and see what the future holds.

She said: “I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter. I think it’s a very responsible and busy job here. I decided I just wanted to take a step back and do something different in my life.”