Deborah Cookson - Senior HR Business Partner

What is your current role and how long have you been with VPS?

I am the Senior HR Business Partner for VPS UK and I have been at here for just over 3 years.

What has been your career journey?

Being totally honest at 18 I didn’t really know what I wanted to do but I knew that I had enjoyed Business Studies at A Level so I chose to study a Business degree. After graduating from Uni I was then lucky enough to join the retailer Lidl on their graduate scheme to become a District Manager which then lead to other Regional Manager roles within retail and the Welfare to Work sector. It was only later on in my Regional Management career that I decided the element of my job I loved the most was people so I enrolled to do my CIPD qualification and take my career in a specialised direction. After completing my CIPD I became a Regional HR Advisor then Business Partner and most recently Senior HR Business Partner.

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to have a career in HR?

Be prepared that you have to “wear many hats” especially at this level. One minute you will need be a supportive ear and the next potentially helping to make business critical decisions that may be life changing for another colleague. Your operational colleagues will look to you for confirmation that they are “doing the right thing” with whatever situation they are managing so it can be intense, however if you have a passion for people and a passion for business then a career in HR is right for you.

What has been the most memorable achievement in your career so far?

Being appointed as a District Manager at just 22 years old. I am also proud that I had the confidence to change my career at the age of 30 to what I knew I truly wanted to do.

What would you like to achieve in the future?

I would like to look back and know I made a difference for colleagues in any business that I have worked in, and apart from continuing my own personal development within the HR field I want to support my almost 5 year old daughter achieve her dreams – currently that is being a princess when she grows up so I think I`m destined to fail at that one!