GTA University employs two Investors in People consultants

MEDIA RELEASE: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not Bailiwick Express, and the text is reproduced exactly as supplied to us

GTA University Centre has employed two consultants as Investors in People advisers following its recent reaccreditation as Guernsey’s IiP coordinator. Consultant advisers Caroline Wickham and Becky Machon bring with them a wealth of experience in this area and will work with companies seeking to achieve and renew IiP status.

Dr Elaine Monkhouse, the GTA’s chief executive, said their appointments would improve the service to the community and broaden the range and knowledge the GTA has in this field.

‘This year’s focus for IiP is on small to medium size businesses and these appointments will give GTA staff more time to concentrate on the development and promotion of IiP,’ she said.

Mrs Wickham is the founder and creator of PowerYoga Guernsey, which has a focus on health and wellbeing. She was the first in Guernsey to achieve both Investors in People ‘Gold’ and ‘Champion’ status as part of ABN AMRO, where she worked as head of HR. A large part of this achievement was down to understanding and championing what works for staff in an organisational setting, putting people’s needs first and valuing health and well-being as a critical factor for organisational success. She has 20 years’ experience as a human resources manager and is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Mrs Machon has worked within the human resources sector since 2001 for both financial and commercial enterprises but most recently has found her niche within her own HR consultancy business.

Since establishing Focus HR Solutions in 2007, Mrs Machon has worked with a number of Channel Island businesses, helping each to develop and enhance their organisations. She works with her clients to provide a pro-active and inspired approach to human resources strategies, helping businesses to achieve maximum effectiveness and enhance overall business performance.

Mrs Machon is a member of the Institute of Directors, CIPD, Chamber of Commerce and a number of other local organisations. She is also a qualified PRISM Brain Mapping practitioner and works with a number of local businesses using PRISM to improve employee output and create better working practices.

The GTA was re-recognised to the IiP Standard in April 2014, following initial accreditation in 2011.
There are currently two companies going for new accreditation and a number annually going for reaccreditation against the core standard and beyond.

‘The GTA is delighted to have once again been awarded the prestigious IiP accreditation. People are at the core of any business and the most important asset we have. By opening our doors to IiP it has allowed us insight in to the real views of our staff, allowing us to review our management practice, identify successes and improve on our weaknesses. Ultimately this helped us to improve what we do for our staff and our clients,’ said Dr Monkhouse.