Magnet appoints HR Director to bolster recruitment drive

UK kitchen retailer Magnet has appointed Karen Gregory (44) as HR and Training Director following the recruitment of more than 700 staff across all areas of the business over the last 12 months.

Karen will also be leading the companyís ambitious recruitment drive in 2008, during which time the kitchen specialist hopes to employ a further 350 people throughout all areas of its Magnet Retail and Magnet Trade businesses.

Based at Magnetís head office in Darlington, County Durham, Gregoryís remit is to co-ordinate and develop Magnetís HR and training function across its 163 nationwide kitchen showrooms and Darlington HQ. The business currently employs just over 2400 people across the UK.

She will be responsible for ensuring each member of Magnetís staff is trained to provide the high standard of service offered by the company and ensure it attracts, recruits and retains the best people.

Gregory will be working closely with recruitment specialists Resource Bank to develop additional marketing tools such as a new careers website along with an enhanced advertising and marketing recruitment campaign.

With an estimated 350 more positions to be filled next year, Gregory has control over a number of key aid facilities to help her meet her objectives. One of which includes the recently built 150K training academy, which utilises three state of the art training rooms and an IT suite, providing new starters with a full four day induction.

To stay ahead of the competition, Gregory will also be reviewing Magnetís HR strategy, ensuring that the company is perceived as an ëemployer of choiceí. Salary benchmarks, benefit packages and performance monitors will all be evaluated to maintain Magnet as the industryís top employer and rewarding colleagues accordingly.

Gregory said: ìTo enable Magnet to achieve its vision of becoming the UKís kitchen expert, the business is putting its people at the heart of its growth strategy. This is an area of considerable investment, not only in recruiting the best people in the business but also through training.

ìIn the last financial year Magnet has refurbished 61 of its stores and added 13 new showrooms. This has led to a massive increase in staff.

ìAs a fast growing organisation we need to develop to enable change, not only to stave off the fierce competition but keep ahead of it. We do not believe in setting a separate vision for HR. HRís vision walks hand-in-hand with the overall goal and we have developed a plan to support this.î

Prior to joining Magnet, Gregory was self-employed handling a number of high profile projects for organisations within the public and private sectors and educational establishments.

Originating from Leeds, Yorkshire and from a predominant retail background, Gregory began her career on BHSí graduate HR generalist training course before going on to work in a variety of roles within Sainsburyís, including Management Skills Trainer and District Personnel and Training Manager.