Three years after joining health and social care organisation Provide Group as a human resources business partner, Joanne Dickman has been appointed as Head of People Partnering.
A Community Interest Company (CIC) Provide Community employs almost 1400 people and delivers more than 50 health and social care services in NHS and community settings across England.
The move comes as the organisation enjoys rapid growth in its service delivery and geographical reach, from its base in Essex to services in Dorset and across Northeast England. With a core investment in people and wellbeing, Provide Community has achieved national recognition for its organisational culture, including the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards and Business Culture Awards.
With 25 years’ experience in human resources, primarily working in the NHS, Joanne is spearheading the organisation’s latest investment in culture, designed to support and enable colleagues and meet the challenges of a rapidly growing organisation.
“My job supports the whole lifespan of the employee, from onboarding to career development and succession planning to make sure we have exceptional colleagues who want to remain with the business.”
Joanne says: “I have worked in HR for more than 25 years, mostly in the NHS but also in both education and hospitality so I have broad business sector experience. I joined Provide Community because I wanted to be part of an organisation that helps the local community. I love that it’s a Community Interest Company that can deliver a much more personal service.
“For me, personal and professional integrity is important in giving the best possible advice and finding appropriate solutions. I have managed large teams and worked on the front line, so I know from experience what’s real and what’s doable.
“I see my role as advising and enabling so others can do. I’m here to effect, contribute towards and shape change, supporting managers in delivering the people agenda but also helping them to navigate challenges and difficult decisions and have the best possible outcomes.
“Provide Community is about promoting a culture that is inclusive and diverse, ensuring all backgrounds and identities are valued and not being afraid to ask how we are doing. If we want to employ the best people, we need to ensure everyone can bring their authentic self to work and use language and behaviours that support that.
“Another aspect of my role is making sure our people policies are non-discriminatory, looking at the language we use, and the support we deliver. For instance, flexible working should be gender neutral – for true equality it should be about enabling your job to fit in with your life, regardless of the reasons why. If we get that right, we can attract and retain the best people.
“My job supports the whole lifespan of the employee, from onboarding to career development and succession planning to make sure we have exceptional colleagues who want to remain with the business.”
Connect with Joanne on LinkedIn here
