Alison has an HR background in the private and public sectors, including the construction and dairy industries, finance and the police. She is an experienced senior manager.
“I was brought up in Hamilton just outside Glasgow, where I initially qualified as a secretary. My first post was for the Diplomatic Service which involved relocating to London. I moved the private sector, first joining the personnel ream at Alfred McAlpine Construction in Surrey, and then in various roles with Colas, a road surfacing company. During eight years with Colas I was involved in two major restructures and redundancy programmes and was responsible for employment law, leadership development and systems integration. Further HR roles in the private sector followed during which time I completed my CIPD, part-time at Brighton University.
“My next role was with Sussex Police, working initially as HR Manager and then as Head of Employee Relations, with responsibility for implementing a diversity strategy. During this time I developed my passion for the law, and employment law in particular, providing support and guidance to both officers and civilian staff.
“I joined CRI in 2005, with responsibility for HR, learning and development, marketing communications, volunteers and legal issues, such as tribunals. At that time there were 450 staff and £15m turnover; today we have a £65m turnover and employ 1,800 staff. In recent years, I have gained a paralegal qualification in advanced employment law and qualified in 2007 as a Member of the Society of Specialist Paralegals (MSSP).
“I moved to the role of Legal Services Director for CRI in 2009, providing specialist advice on employment law, company and commercial law, contract law, charity law, mergers and acquisitions, legal documentation and regulatory governance relating to various operational areas. Due to the continued growth of the organisation and its changing structures there is an increasing requirement for in-depth advice and guidance on legal matters, and I am currently studying for a master’s degree in employment law at De Montfort University, Leicester, which covers company law, insolvency and tax law as well as collective labour law and mediation.
“I thoroughly enjoy my role with CRI which enables me to work closely with operational colleagues to support effective service delivery.”
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