A3 14:45 - 15:45 SECTOR FOCUS

Tackling the challenges for employee benefits in retail

Confronting the specific challenges for compensation and benefits in the retail sector

Communicating with a diverse employee population
Applying short-term benefits to a more transient staff
Employee engagement in the retail sector
Developing and proving direct links between employee engagement, customer experience and business results

Karen Bates, group HR manager, Next
Janine Owen, B&Q Retail

Karen Bates, MBA, MCIPD

Karen Bates joined Next Retail plc as Group HR Manager in 2005 with overall responsibility for HR policy and reward & beneifts. Karen previously specialised in resourcing and development in the leisure and construction industry. Karen has an MBA specialising in HR policy and practice.

Janine Owen, B&Q

19 years in B&Q, in stores in management roles also worked in field based management roles and support Head Office in strategic project roles.

The last eight years has been in HR. Working through all specialist roles and I am currently the HR Manager for the East division covering 90 stores split into 7 regions with a total turnover of Ł1 Billion.

I have 11 direct reports working in the field as HR business partners