Hazel Robinson
Associate director, Head of Reward, Reward and Wellbeing at Brunel University London
Why did you become a member of the CIPP?
I was appointed from a Snr Business Partner role into Reward, Payroll and Wellbeing in 2018, and whilst I had experience in reward and payroll, I felt I needed support and a network to bring my skills up to date and learn more best practice in the current Payroll world, and I was so lucky to come across the CIPP. I attended the conference in 2018 as a learning curve and to get to know more about what CIPP could provide to my career, and found a whole world of support, information and collegiality. Since joining I have found so much to help enable me and my team’s development, but more than that I have found friends and allies in enabling progress and success within the reward and payroll profession.
How has this membership helped you in your career?
Membership has opened doors to support and networking opportunities to help me find confidence in my ideas, as well as identify best practice that I have been able to implement to develop both my own career and what my team can offer my employer. The investment return has been phenomenal, and broadened my perspective on reward and payroll, seeing it as so much more than a function – but a real strategic partner to an organisation.
Can you describe in 3 words what your CIPP membership means to you?
Support / Empowerment / Confidence-building
What is/has been your favourite/most useful benefit of your membership and why?
Networking probably, I have found colleagues that work at similar institutions, and been able to gain and learn so much. The conference (apart from being amazing fun) really enables discussion and information sharing across networks.
What advice do you have for someone who is thinking of becoming a member with us?
Don’t think twice about it – if you are looking for support, whether starting into your payroll career, or experienced senior professional, you will gain so much from your membership. It will open doors you did not even know were there, and provide opportunities to enhance your confidence, your career, and your enjoyment of our amazing profession.
