ECLIPSE HR
KENTWOMENINBUSINESS
KENT WOMEN IN BUSINESS :
VERONICA FOX CHARTERED MCIPD
ECLIPSE HR
Tell us about you and your journey into the HR industry . I joined London Transport straight from school spending 18 months working for their benevolent fund , providing administrative support to their social workers , before applying for an internal vacancy and a move to central personnel . From there , I spent over a decade working in generalist and specialist roles being nurtured , supported and encouraged by many outstanding managers . I also provided support to projects including the Public Private Partnership and Government Office for London – the Greater London Authority , as a variety of transport organisations transitioned to what is now known as Transport for London .
I particularly enjoyed working as a London Underground employee relations manager ( stations ) for the Bakerloo , Central and Victoria lines . During this time , I was seconded into operational positions , attaining a number of safety licences which allowed me to escort visitors around the network gaining access to areas not visible to the public , including signal systems , lift shafts and walking on overground tracks during traffic hours .
From there I freelanced for a number of county police forces , having been trained by the National Police Improvement Agency as a recruitment assessor for police officers and police community support officers .
I then transitioned into HR consultancy and have been an HR consultant for over 15 years , with an overall career as an HR professional spanning over 30 years .
Tell us about Eclipse HR . We are a Kent-based HR consultancy with offices in Maidstone and Canterbury . We provide clients with day-to-day HR support , but also step in to help them when resources are stretched or in times of need . We regularly provide support to in-house HR teams on large projects and complex investigations , or to cover periods of employee leave .
What do you love most about your industry ? It ’ s come a long way since I joined the profession and in 2000 , the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development ( CIPD ) ( the official supporting body of the profession ) was granted Royal Charter . I am particularly proud of the CIPD ’ s ‘ Flex From 1st ’ campaign , which was launched in 2021 calling on the government and organisations to make the right to request flexible working a day-one right . It was a highly successful campaign , with new flexible working regulations coming into effect on 6 April 2024 , giving employees the right to request flexible working arrangements from day one of employment .
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self about the world of HR ? Seize every opportunity presented and do not fear the unknown . Every day is a school day and therefore no two days are the same , but that ’ s okay .
What are you most proud of ? Interviewing Tim Campbell ( MBE ) and putting him forward to the London Underground ’ s Graduate Trainee Assessment Centre . He was by far one of the most standout candidates I have interviewed during my career and went on to win the first series of The Apprentice - as some of you may recognise , he is now a judge on the series .
What is your biggest achievement ? Managing a work / life balance and enjoying a wonderful and varied career , while bringing up my daughter as a single parent for 14 years ; I ’ m a very proud mum as she is now embarking on her own career in the teaching profession .
If you could give one piece of advice to women in business what would it be ? Be brave - but always remain true to yourself and your values .
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