Q&A with Pauline Lifton, HR Consultant

We value getting to know all about the clients we work with and the faces behind the brands and businesses. Naturally we expect you to want to know more about us too. To help with that, we’ll be bringing you regular insights into our team, sharing what they love about their work, how they spend their time outside of the office, and what book or film they’re currently immersed in. Our latest team chat is with art-loving Adele fan Pauline, who is a perfect example of mature student success. NAME – Pauline Lifton ROLE – HR Consultant Where do you live? In a small village on the outskirts of Colchester And who with? Husband – David, Son – Rhys, who is at Uni, plus two labradoodles, Elfie and Teddy, and two cats, Glinda and Cookie. Tell us a little about your career background: I have always enjoyed roles that required working and supporting people. In my life, before becoming a mum, my career was within Facilities Management with roles at Colliers International, Westminster Council and Universal Music. After a short career break, I returned to work and HR seemed a natural choice and progression for me. However, to ensure that I had credibility in my role, I undertook my first HR qualification in my forties and I am currently in my final year of a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management. I have over 15 years’ experience in HR and feel that I am able to offer appropriate advice, guidance and support to managers and leaders within the organisations I have worked, due to my own knowledge and experience of being on their side of the fence. My skills have continued to develop in all areas of employee relations, organisational change management, policy maintenance, recruitment, as well and mentoring and coaching managers and employees to achieve their required outcomes. What do you most enjoy about your particular professional role? I have always enjoyed working in HR, being able to build positive working relationships at all levels. What attracted you into the world of HR? One of the things that drew me to MAD-HR was their PARIS values (passion, accountability, results, integrity and simplicity), as this is in total alignment with how I wish to be viewed as a HR Professional, so to be working with a team that share those values, is really exciting. Do you have a pet peeve about how others perceive your job? That HR is something to be fearful of. For me HR is about building productive relationships, working in collaboration with managers, employees and leaders, in support of resolving issues or concerns, and in the management and delivery of change. If you hadn’t gone into this type of work, what else were you destined to do? I love the arts, so I think I would have liked to have worked in theatre, maybe in the background somewhere, production or stage management. What one key thing do you feel people should know about MAD-HR that might surprise or delight them? While we may be a small team, we are lucky to have a wealth of experience between us, to draw upon, and to support each other as well as the organisations we work with. What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead for MAD-HR? Challenging myself and working with many new organisations and people. How would your colleagues describe you? Approachable, with a willingness to support and promote positive outcomes. Outside of work, do you have particular things you like to do or places you like to go regularly? I love to go to the theatre, which I have very much missed during the COVID pandemic. So for now, I settle for a good book, and listen to music in my summer house. Do you volunteer, and if so, where and what drives you to do so? Due to my studies, I don’t have much free time at the moment, I have however, previously been a school governor and charity treasurer, in support of my local community, to give something back to those who supported our family, when we moved to the area. When I finish my current studies, I am hoping to return to volunteering as a Student Mentor to mature students returning to education. I feel quite passionate about this, as having experienced the impact and how hard it is to juggle study, work life and home life, I would like to support others through this positive process. What do you love most about living in this part of the world? Having grown up in London, I truly appreciate living in the middle of farmland and fields, the peaceful days, the walks along the seafront and the trips to the country pubs! Watching my son grow up in the village and local community has been a blessing, that not all are fortunate to experience. How do you like to spend a day off? A day in London at the theatre with my boys or a relaxing Spa Day. Currently reading: Apart from the many Human Resource Management Books I am reading for my studies, I love to read autobiographies and books about real life experiences. I’m currently reading a Dawn French book, which brings true life experiences as well and fun and laughter. Currently listening to: Adele’s new album. I was lucky enough to see her on her last tour and I also have tickets for the 2022 tour. I am fortunate to have been to many concerts over the years, especially during my time at Universal Music. While I have seen some amazing performers, Adele stands out in the crowd, so I am really enjoying her new music. Currently watching: I live in a house of Dr Who and Marvel geeks, so my TV is often dictated by them! However, when I get some alone time, I am currently re watching Downton Abbey.