New Directions names new HR director

Recruitment group New Directions has appointed former Acorn people chief Genevieve Nock as HR director.

The Cardiff-headquartered firm said Nock would take a strategic lead to boost investment in people and teams as it looked to expand.

Founded in 1994, the group includes five businesses: New Directions Education; New Directions Pharmacy; New Directions Social Care; ND Care and Support; and Checks Direct.

Nock, who worked at fellow recruiter Acorn for 15 years, said she was looking forward to developing a group-wide HR approach to underpin her new employer’s wider business strategy through the support and development of employees.

“New Directions already has some of the best people in the business working across a number of different sectors and I’m really looking forward to building on this and continuing to do the best by our employees,” she said.

“The current recruitment climate is very competitive, so it’s more important than ever that we continue to attract, develop and retain talented people.”

Nock’s role will encompass all aspects of HR including employee relations; learning and development; reward and recognition; employee engagement; and recruitment and retention.

New Directions finance and operations director Bethan Schuchardt said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Genevieve to her new role as HR director. It’s clear to see that she is a highly motivated individual, with great integrity and a passion for developing and valuing a workforce that we can continue to be proud of.

“We’re a people-centric business and our biggest asset is our people, so we’re really looking forward, with the guidance and support of Genevieve, to further investing in our current and future colleagues across the New Directions Group.”