Introducing Nadia Simmonds….

Can you give us a brief synopsis of your career history? 
I started my career in HR a very long time ago when the function was then referred to as ‘Personnel’. My experience was mainly in the hospitality and retail sectors, where I worked for Hilton Hotels, the retail giant Tesco before settling at the iconic Art Deco Strand Palace Hotel in Central London as Head of HR where I was for over 15 years. I was very proud of my time at the Strand Palace, with the highlight having to be the great success we achieved during the 2012 London Olympics hosting various organisations linked to the Olympics and securing tickets to watch Usain Bolt in the 100 metres final was certainly the icing on the cake.

What did you do after your tenure as Head of HR at the Strand Palace Hotel ended?
I took a well-earned career break in 2017, spending a few months under-cover in Accra. It was a wonderful time allowing me the opportunity to refresh myself and reflect on what to do with my career, and whether in fact moving to Ghana was an option. I however decided to stay put in London and I have now moved to working in the construction sector for Multiplex, a global construction company which concentrates on building large scale iconic commercial and residential properties. Multiplex is on course to complete the building of 22 Bishopsgate, which at 62 floors, will be the tallest and smartest tower in the city of London.

Do you see yourself moving into other HR specialisms or related fields?
I’ve so far worked as a generalist HR professional, but I find my career moving into the specialist HR area of Diversity and Inclusion; and into other related fields such as Data Protection/Privacy (off the back of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation which came into force last year). It’s very exciting stuff and with my love of variety, who knows what I’ll be doing in a year’s time! 

Has BREXIT had or will it have an impact on your HR role in the service/ construction industry?
One of the key issues here is labour shortages. Within both the service and construction sectors, there is a heavy reliance on both skilled and unskilled migrant labour from the EU. In the hospitality industry in particular, EU migrant labour easily makes up 50% of the workforce. The big challenge therefore if Brexit goes ahead, would be where would the supply of labour come from? Recruitment will be an issue, and additionally employers will have to up their game in looking at how to retain staff better, part of which would mean improving pay well above minimum wage levels with the knock-on effect of adding to business costs.

Investing in training and reskilling employees to take on roles previously taken up by this migrant labour will also be a focus. Furthermore, with the lack of certainty and confidence in the market, there is the adverse effect of putting a hold-on the construction of building projects. This in turn is leading to restructuring exercises and the redeployment of current employees. 

Are you involved in any charitable/ mentoring activities etc?
Over the years, I have developed a passion for the Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability agenda and as a result have been a key driver of this focus in the businesses I have worked for. I was also involved in supporting the work of a charity (The Bruno Tampo Foundation), as a Trustee with the focus on supporting the rehabilitation of young offenders through offering them training and employment opportunities. Bruno himself, is a real success story, showing how giving someone a second chance, has the opportunity to transform lives. Bruno graduated with a 1st Class degree last year and now works in a key role for Multiplex. 

Do you have any hobbies or social interests?
Outside of work, I have a keen interest in African Art, floristry and gardening and I have always said if I had my time again, I’d be a high-flying Landscape Gardener! It has to be said my favourite place is in the garden, and I’m just like a kid in a sweet shop if I get to a garden centre! 

Finally, where is your favourite place to visit on holiday and why?
This has to be Santorini which I visited in 2017 (considered the most famous of the Greek islands) and in my view easily the most beautiful place on earth. I love the amazing picturesque scenery with characteristic whitewashed buildings and their blue domed roofs, the steeps cliffs over the Aegean Sea, sailing around the island and the breathtaking sunsets. Can’t wait to visit again! 

Nadia Simmonds
Clark House

Look out for our next Spotlight Edition on Emmanuel Arbenser.