Head of Human Resources

Wickham & Associates provides labour law and industrial relations consulting across a wide range of industries. As a boutique consultancy we offer personal attention and understand the importance of “getting it right” in what is often a minefield of uncertainty. Blake Wickham, has over 25 years experience in the field, both as a labour consultant and as Human Resources Director in various labour intensive and highly unionised companies. He also has experience as a Chief Operating… Show more Wickham & Associates provides labour law and industrial relations consulting across a wide range of industries. As a boutique consultancy we offer personal attention and understand the importance of “getting it right” in what is often a minefield of uncertainty. Blake Wickham, has over 25 years experience in the field, both as a labour consultant and as Human Resources Director in various labour intensive and highly unionised companies. He also has experience as a Chief Operating Officer and appreciates the need to deal with issues practically. Show less

Ground Handling: BIDAir Services: Oversee all operations nationally: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and George airports.Ensure service levels are maintained and manage General Managers nationally.Develop and tender for business, negotiate and draft airline contracts in accordance with the international best practice.Manage client relationships, represent company at various industry forums and ensure acceptable revenue streams and performance… Show more Ground Handling: BIDAir Services: Oversee all operations nationally: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and George airports.Ensure service levels are maintained and manage General Managers nationally.Develop and tender for business, negotiate and draft airline contracts in accordance with the international best practice.Manage client relationships, represent company at various industry forums and ensure acceptable revenue streams and performance levels.Negotiate increases in line with agreements and renewal of agreements.Ensure regular interaction with airlines clients and stakeholders at airports. Show less

Responsible for the entire HR function in a highly complex and unionised environment (4000 employees)Transferred from Bidvest Magnum to BIDAir Services and was the Human Resources Director (reporting to the M.D.) BIDAir provides ground handling services at all A.C.S.A airports nationally.Group Human Resources Director for Magnum Shield, Provicom Risk Solutions, and Vericon Outsourcing Solutions. (This structure was later unbundled again.)Responsible for the amalgamation of nine… Show more Responsible for the entire HR function in a highly complex and unionised environment (4000 employees)Transferred from Bidvest Magnum to BIDAir Services and was the Human Resources Director (reporting to the M.D.) BIDAir provides ground handling services at all A.C.S.A airports nationally.Group Human Resources Director for Magnum Shield, Provicom Risk Solutions, and Vericon Outsourcing Solutions. (This structure was later unbundled again.)Responsible for the amalgamation of nine different entities from a Human Resources perspective, in a highly unionised environment. Formulate and implement new HR structures.Develop new HR policies and procedures and negotiate numerous recognition agreements and manage union relationships (incl. CCMA, wage negotiations etc.).Manage HR team nationally. Responsible for group’s human resources and industrial relations.Vetting of legal contracts.Develop, align and implement strategy.Performance management and succession planning.Established and responsible for Bidair Training Academy.Managing Labour Court matters.Implementing training throughout group (including Skills Development).Employment Equity and all transformation.Ensure compliance with labour legislation.Coaching Directors and line management on H.R. ‘best practices’, Show less

Consulting and advising all regions (23 000 employees nationwide) on all HR and IR related issues, e.g., Employment Equity, retrenchment, restructuring, performance management, misconduct, incapacity, restraints, contracts of employment etc.Conducting CCMA conciliations and arbitrations (formerly 15 arbitrations per month).Drafting review applications for the Labour Court.Managing and providing training for the various regions.Perusing, drafting and advising on client contracts… Show more Consulting and advising all regions (23 000 employees nationwide) on all HR and IR related issues, e.g., Employment Equity, retrenchment, restructuring, performance management, misconduct, incapacity, restraints, contracts of employment etc.Conducting CCMA conciliations and arbitrations (formerly 15 arbitrations per month).Drafting review applications for the Labour Court.Managing and providing training for the various regions.Perusing, drafting and advising on client contracts for the group.Representing the group at National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA – elected Vice-Chairman for Gauteng and Chairman of Illegal Practices Committee).Drafting and implementing HR policies and procedures.Managing over 30 unions.Wage negotiation team for national contract cleaning industry.Manage IR team nationally (five reporting).Remaining up to date on current legislation and advising line management. Show less

Consulting on all labour/employee issues across various industries, in all levels of organisations and across different sectors.Consulting and ‘up-fronting’ for clients on restructuring, retrenchments and outsourcing.Consulting and ‘up-fronting’ for clients on wage negotiations.Assisting clients in preparing for CCMA/Bargaining Council conciliations and arbitrations.Training and implementing employment equity.Conducting training on all aspects of labour relations and labour… Show more Consulting on all labour/employee issues across various industries, in all levels of organisations and across different sectors.Consulting and ‘up-fronting’ for clients on restructuring, retrenchments and outsourcing.Consulting and ‘up-fronting’ for clients on wage negotiations.Assisting clients in preparing for CCMA/Bargaining Council conciliations and arbitrations.Training and implementing employment equity.Conducting training on all aspects of labour relations and labour legislation e.g., discipline, performance management.Chairing disciplinary inquiries and grievances.Presenting public seminars and in-house training.Drafting Human Resources policies and procedures for clients.Administrating and applying Bargaining Council main agreements.Drafting contracts and developing training material. Show less

Responsible for all industrial relations issues for the northern division which included 80 Metro Cash and Carry stores. Conducted wage negotiation, retrenchment exercises, store closures, chaired hearings and represented the company a the CCMA.