Director of people and learning calls HR role ‘a privilege’ after OBE
Roger Smith, director of people and learning at British Red Cross was one of 1,164 people recognised in the 2015 New Year’s Honours list.
Smith was awarded an OBE for his services to first aid, after 20 years’ working for the charity. In his current role, Smith covers learning and development, HR, volunteering, organisation development, employee relations, security and the carbon reduction programme.
He said receiving the honour as a representative of the charity was a privilege.
“I‘ve worked with some great people both in and outside the charity, and having this job is a real privilege. It lets me work with the most committed and dedicated people you could imagine,” he said.
“The most rewarding part of my role is knowing I make just a small contribution to enabling our volunteers and staff to do their wonderful work with people in crises.
“This OBE is really flattering and humbling. It’s a positive reflection on the Red Cross as a whole and how well we all work as a team,” he added.
Liz Bingham, managing partner at EY was among those recognised for her services to equality in the workplace, and received an OBE in the annual list.
Commenting on her achievement, Bingham said: “I am passionate about equality in the workplace and firmly believe that diverse and inclusive organisations draw on the broadest range of talent, which enables them to attract and retain the best people and seek out the widest spectrum of views.
“Equality isn’t simply about the number of women around the boardroom table. It encompasses all aspects of the human condition, from gender to ethnicity, sexuality, social background and age. At its heart diversity is about recognising, celebrating and fostering difference.”
You can read who else made it onto the list here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/391786/NY15_List_for_GOVUK.pdf