Phillip Shipman
HR Manager, Moray CHSCP
I previously lived in the Borders, working in an HR/Corporate Services role in the private sector. A few years ago I took a step back and thought about what I wanted to do. I wanted to go to a generalist HR role, at a senior level, in an organisation that did something meaningful and I wanted to be based in the Highlands.I am a BIG outdoors fan – sea-kayaking, river-kayaking, mountain biking, road biking, mountaineering, adventure racing - almost any outdoor sport – except skiing as I have what is technically known as a ‘knackered knee’.
Although I had no direct previous experience of the public sector, my partner works in it and I’d worked with NHS staff in my previous job - so I did not come into it naively. There is a preconception in the private sector that the public sector, certainly at managerial level, is where people who are not highly skilled go to work - but that’s very definitely wrong. Here, the level of professionalism has exceeded my expectations - things are done with more resources, more care, more focus and in the ‘right’ way. It was not as much a culture shock as I’d expected it to be. I feel I have been here a lot longer than I actually have. It was time to leave my previous job, and I knew I had made the right decision from Day One. The team support is absolutely incredible, both from the HR Directorate and the wider team that I’m the business partner to.
Having not lived in the area before I was amazed to find how friendly it is. I live in a very small village and it’s the most welcoming place I’ve ever been. I think it’s because the people who stay in the village are keen to see newcomers live there permanently, keeping the community alive. Compared to where I’ve worked before this is a very friendly area – in fact it can take ages to get round the shops as everyone wants to chat!
It’s early days yet, (at the time of writing) I’m only in my fifth week, but as far as challenges are concerned, it’s interesting, varied, and it will stretch me, which is what I’m looking for. I do like to be challenged, which I know is a cliché, but my outdoor life is a continuing challenge, and I like the same in my professional life.
This is a big organisation – within Moray we’re seen as nimble and fleet of foot - Grampian as an NHS Board is seen as innovative, and Moray is seen within Grampian as innovative. I think that’s important and I want it to continue to be like that.
If you want to work in Moray (or anywhere else) in the NHS you’ll need to be flexible and adaptable. No two days will be the same. The management structure is flatter here and there is never a dull moment.
The best single thing about my job is…to me … the speed at which my days go, which shows just how much I’m loving it. I’ll look at my watch and it’s four o’clock and I thought it was lunchtime. It really is that good.
