Ann Pickering

My first job was during my university holidays at Marks and Spencer. I enjoyed the retail environment, the pace and dealing with people, so I applied for their graduate scheme, specialising in HR.


It could be argued that I stayed at outsourcing company Xansa for too long. But I held a wide variety of roles, saw the firm expand hugely through acquisition and the experience I gained was invaluable.

 

Language does not simply reflect what is going on in organisational life: it also influences what people think and what they do

Linda Holbeche, director of the Holbeche Partnership and visiting professor of HRM/OD at Cass Business School