Welcome

Interim performers Hays executive JGP Solace The Guardian Xpert HR Monster Tribal Careers for leaders Barkers Benenden LGE I&DeA Myjobgroup.co.uk Croner

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2008 PPMA conference. Guests came from as far field as the United States, South Africa, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland and included representatives from our sister organisations – the International Professional Managers’ Association (IPMA), IMP(South Africa) and the Society of Personnel Directors in Scotland. 

Marking the official beginning of his year as President, Stephen Moir welcomed delegates and thanked his predecessor Phil Badley before offering his congratulations to Vice-President Gillian Hibberd and Vice President (Elect) Dean Shoesmith. This year’s conference theme was ‘Evolution or extinction’ and in his opening address Stephen set the tone. He challenged HR professionals to stop “wallowing in self pity”, urging the profession to start talking about the difference it makes and to become a “faster, fitter, agile and more flexible” function which really connects with its organisation.

Opportunities presented by new technology were one of the threads running throughout the conference. This year for the first time podcasts of speakers were recorded and delegates were given memory sticks onto which they could download the speaker presentations, courtesy of Monster’s exhibition stand. The PPMA’s new blogs were launched at the conference and in a memorable presentation, ICT evangelist Russell Prue of Anderton Tiger questioned just how much the HR profession knows about how it could be using technology.   

Other popular speakers included former BBC Director General Greg Dyke, who drew a large audience as he spoke about leadership and the role of HR, Greg Aitken from the Royal Bank of Scotland and Steve Bundred, Chief Executive of the Audit Commission. Inspirational blind adventurer Miles Hilton Barber spoke about managing change through his experience of flying a supersonic jet and running gruelling desert marathons. Speaker presentations are available to download on the website.

The public sector’s excellent work in the field of HR was recognised at Wednesday night’s PPMA awards (click here to find out more about the worthy winners) and the PPMA was particularly proud this year to present a special award for outstanding achievement to Geoff Armstrong, outgoing Director General of the CIPD for his contribution to HR. There was more well-deserved recognition in the HR Recruitment awards at Thursday evening’s gala dinner – and congratulations go to all of these winners too.

A range of organisations were represented in the exhibition area and exhibitors reported a steady stream of visitors to their stands – with the Nintendo Wii a popular accessory to pull in passers-by.

The conference drew to a stimulating close with a debate about whether the future of HR promises evolution or extinction, with a lively exchange of views making for a memorable discussion, chaired by Mike Burton, Editor of MJ.  We’re already looking forward to next year’s conference.

Stephen Moir
PPMA President (Designate)