Hi, my name is Kate, and I have been an HR Business Partner (HRBP) at the Home Office for 4 years.
I did a Spanish & English degree at university and spent many years in Spain, Central & South America working as a teacher and translator. When I returned to the UK, the Home Office was recruiting, and I thought I would apply while I worked out exactly what I wanted to do. That was 20 years ago, and I have never looked back!
Prior to joining the department’s HRBP community, I spent 10 years working in various roles in corporate HR which have prepared me well for life as a HRBP, where no two days are ever the same.
I am currently the HRBP for a region of Border Force. Border Force is the law enforcement arm of the Home Office responsible for securing the UK border by enforcing immigration and customs regulations. I support senior management and their officers to do this in various aviation, maritime and postal ports across London, the South-East, East Anglia and the Midlands.
It is a fascinating role providing an expert HR service to those working at the forefront of national security. I work very closely with senior leaders, coaching and advising them on all their people-related activity with the aim of improving performance. On any given day this can involve developing robust workforce plans to support resourcing and diversity ambitions, coaching and advising on change programmes, developing and implementing the regional People Strategy, building capability and skills, developing talent strategies and advising on complex cases along with my HR expert partners.
Working across such a diverse portfolio and with such varied stakeholders requires robust leadership skills. It is my role to respect the views of others whilst providing the best HR advice or solution for any situation. The breadth of the portfolio requires the ability to work at pace, ensuring the delivery of quality and timely solutions, often in challenging circumstances.
As a HRBP for Border Force I am the front-face of HR for my region. However, the HR function is large and supportive with a wealth of expertise, so I never feel alone. Partnering an operation that works in a complex, ever-changing environment and requires HRBPs who are unafraid to challenge and can add the best HR value whatever the issue.
If you are keen to make a difference I’d say apply now, it’s the best move you could make!
