Barney Ely, director of human resources, Hays 01/08/2012

List your last four jobs:

1. June 2011 to date: Director, Hays Human Resources
2. March 2010 - June 2011: director, senior finance specialsim, South Region
3. January 2009 to March 2010: operational director, Greater London

Q. When you were a kid, what was your career dream?

A. To play football like Matthew Le Tissier and to play the cello like Jacqueline du Pre - unfortunately I play the cello like a footballer...

Q. How did you get to where you are now?

A. I joined Hays straight from University and the growth of the business and the market over the last 15 years have provided me with a wealth of career options and opportunity. Three things have helped me on my way. Recruitment is a lot easier when you listen. Learn from those around you by picking the best skills and attributes others have and copy them. Work hard.   

Q. Why did you join your current organisation?

A. The training on offer to a raw graduate. The position was customer-facing, enabling me to meet many people and visit lots of different organisations and I feared the boredom sitting in a silent office. The person that interviewed me was inspiring, driven and successful.

Q. Describe your typical day.

A. A cliché but there is little routine. Today I have been meeting with an international mining company to discuss their resourcing strategy and work with them on solutions to attract the best global talent. Met with a city law firm to plan a mock employment tribunal. Discussed with the CIPD the launch plans for the 2012 Resourcing and Talent Planning report. Working with the Hays HR team in London to support them in marketing the latest edition of the Hays Journal to senior HR professional.

Q. What’s your greatest achievement?

A. I am very proud of the people across the Hays business in the UK and internationally that I have been fortunate enough to recruit and/or manage that have developed themselves into successful business people.

Q. What are your biggest challenges?

A. Having the time and patience to bring to fruition the plans and ambition that my team and I have for the Hays Human Resources specialisms.

Q. What career advice would you give someone aspiring to your role?

A. Work hard and listen to your customers and team.

• Business book(s):  Bounce: How Champions are Made, Matthew Syed
• Website(s): saintsfc.co.uk
• Music: Classical – Brahms
• TV programme/film: Watching The Simpsons with my 5 year old!