Andrew Ayers Email & Phone Number

London, United Kingdom

- HR responsibility for 5,500 unionised employees- Created HR Strategy for business and implemented all key HR processes: Performance Management, Internal Recruitment solution (saving over £500k annually), HR Shared Service model, Reward and Recognition programme etc- Led a significant business transformation and restructuring programme saving £1.9m in staff costs- Kicked off Leadership Development and Coaching Programme from Director level downwards

London, United Kingdom

- Venture Capital backed heritage UK and International retailer undergoing business turnaround- Successfully moved business from North West UK to London and set up all HR proceses, policies and procedures in new location- Led the HR function for UK (head office and stores) & International business- As part of leadership team created HR strategy and roadmap- Providing fast-paced, commercial People solutions to help drive profitable growth- Right hand to CEO in leading transformation of the business- Handed over to steady state HR team

Uk/Global

- Functional leadership of HR, Legal, Customer Services and Estates functions for 1,000 employees in UK and Ireland. Additionally (Jun–Dec 2012), as part of Global Talent team, initiated the creation of the talent development strategy for 19,000 employees in 4 global divisions located in 34 countries.- M&A and Outsourcing/Off-shoringLed 3 profitable acquisitions and outsourcing of non-core Finance, IT and procurement functions; reduced headcount by 30% working in consultation with EU Work’s council.Reduced estate costs by 35% over 3 years; consolidated operations to 2 locations (from 7), launched p/t remote working for 40% of workforce and led several successful asset disposals.- Reward & PensionsOverhauled Reward and Recognition policies and procedures, rebalancing them towards higher variable and non-cash rewards to motivate/reward performance improvement. Introduced sophisticated flexible benefits, real time rewards, GEM awards and Pay for Performance. Closed various DB and DC schemes into one UK wide DC scheme, Salary bill reduced by 12% over 6 years- HR functional TransformationReduced HR operational costs by 60% and headcount by 40% by implementing new Oracle HRIS, renegotiation of key contracts. Reduced annual recruitment spend by £1.2million.- Talent and Leadership Development Devised Leadership & Talent Development Programmes to equip the business with the skills to transform from a technical competence focus to commercial managementLaunched and embedded Succession and Development Planning to the organisation - Culture change and Employee EngagementDelivered strategic group-wide business transformation programme resulting in the organisation emerging from an internally focussed publishing company to market focussed, agile, digital business software and services Times 'One to Watch' status in 1st year

Uk-Wide

- Joined the business at a time of unprecedented post-merger change. Remit to lead and drive transformation from non-profitable, declining brand to an “on-trend” fashion retailer with clear market niche.- Member of the Exec reporting to CEO leading HR function for 4,000 unionised employees across 120 stores.- Successfully implemented new consultation and collective bargaining approach with USDAW across stores and head office to facilitate the change in roles from Shop Assistant to Sales Adviser model- Co-led the business for 6 months with FD, following Primark acquisition. Managed the TUPE of staff & stores to 3rd parties (Primark/BHS/TK Maxx). Successful closure led to sales profit of > 250% of target.

Uk-Wide

- Headed up HR function for 1,200 staff in UK & international Shared Services functions including IT, Finance, Customer Services, Logistics/Distribution, Home Shopping, Far East buying office and Outfit stores- Managed large scale restructure following take-over to reduce Shared Service costs by 25% involving 250 redundancies, integration of key functions with BHS and exit of non-private company functions.- Led outsourcing and in sourcing initiatives including part of IT function to IBM.Re-engineered the appraisal process to reduce L&D spend. Transformed the induction programme and competency framework for c. 22,000 Sales Advisors across the brands.

Global

- Led HR in-house project work streams; management of payroll outsourcing to a third party, harmonisation of terms of employment, new European Service Centre in Dublin providing HR/Training to European offices and implementation of time and expense reporting system and PeopleSoft HR system transferJ Sainsbury plc. - managed the set-up of HR services following outsourcing of IT function of 1,200 staff.Exel plc. & Virgin - led HR function at 250 person service centre providing IT and Finance service to clients:

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Hotel And Catering Management

Education record