Bath alumni pioneer HR network group

University of Bath graduates working in human resources (HR) have formed an alumni group to network with each other and benefit from the Universityís cutting edge research in people management.

The group includes HR directors and senior staff from Marks & Spencer, News International, The Parole Board of England & Wales and one of the leading city banks, and met for the first time at the Marks and Spencer headquarters in December 2005.

They are now seeking other graduates from the University who work in HR and people management to join the group.

They will meet around twice a year and will be able to exchange ideas via the Universityís new interactive alumni website.

ìI think the University of Bathís HR alumni group offers clear benefits for us as graduates, and to the University itself,î said Keith Cameron, HR Director for Marks & Spencer who graduated in 1971 with a BSc in Sociology.

ìAs a group, we can offer assistance to the University in its research aims by discussing research ideas and initial results with academics. We can also help to open doors for researchers to access real life case studies.

ìThis is a productive alumni network with real potential. We are able to share our ideas and experiences of the sector with other Bath graduates, and it is an excellent opportunity to be able to catch up with people who have shared memories of their time at universityî.

Professor John Purcell, Director of the Work and Employment Research Centre at the University of Bath, added: ìThis is a great opportunity to build even closer relationships with alumni who work in the HR industry. We greatly look forward to working with them and sharing ideas. This is the best way to share knowledge.

ìThe Work and Employment Research Centre at the University of Bath has always worked with practitioners and much of its research is funded by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.

ìWe often ëbump intoí alumni and are able do research in their companies. We ask them to meet our current students who will often work on projects within the companies. With the creation of this group we can build better two-way links.î

University of Bath graduates who work in the HR or Personnel sector and are interested in joining the group should contact Rob Grimes in the Alumni Relations Office at the University on 01225 386 177 or e-mail: r.grimes@bath.ac.uk