Black History Month- interview with Evangeline Phillips

Introduction by Chikere Igbokwe

Black History Month, which started in the US, is an annual event remembering important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora. In the UK, it runs throughout  the month of October.

This year, Black History Month takes on even greater significance. 2020 has brought a number of injustices to the forefront, and the Black Lives Matter movement has gained further prominence. We have seen that everyone is taking on the injustices of racism. This is not black versus white – it's everyone fighting what is wrong.

As I work in the HR field, I felt that it was important for me to showcase a number of black senior HR leaders in this field. Over the month, we will publish a number of interviews with senior HR leaders. We hope this will inspire the next diverse generation of HR professionals and help senior leaders to understand and recognise the importance of a diverse workforce throughout the organisation.

Chikere Igbokwe, Associate Director, Macmillan Davies

Evangeline Phillips, People Operations Director -  (prev) Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing

Q&A

What time does your alarm go off and what is your morning routine?

My alarm goes off at 7.00am but by that time I am already awake and making the bed. My morning routine involves the usual body stretching, light exercise, then making my bed (which is key for me- if I fail to make my bed I feel like I have not achieved something that day). I am also getting into the habit of thinking about one thing I am grateful for each morning when I wake up, as I try to start the day on a positive high where ever possible.

How has covid 19 and the fact we are all working from home changed your routine?

It’s made me more determined to make sure I create some time for self care, as the days all rolled into one. I found that I am now reading more and trying to spend less time on social media and on devices. I find myself truly slowing down and taking my time on stuff where before everything would have been a race to complete any given task.

How do you feel right now?

I feel blessed with 2020 and the events which have occurred. Covid has given us time to stop, think and take action. The events around BLM and everything happening in this year, it’s no different to any other year or centuries of incidents. But in 2020 because we had no option but to stop, we had to listen and we were still – it meant we finally heard and saw what truly was happening. Our reaction has always been there but our normal daily life events did not get in the way and we could no longer hide. For me it was the right time and I believe that everything happens for a reason. As a result I feel blessed to be have been present and alive to witness this period of education for many people, myself included.

What are you responsible for at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing?

I was the People Operations Director for Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing and recently left in August 2020. In my role I was responsible for all recruitment, generalist HR & admin and Business Partnering duties. I loved my role. Upon my departure I made the decision to look into setting up a HR Consultancy which will focus on bringing the HUMAN back in to HR, whilst looking for ways to make sure culture and personal values are at the forefront of any organisation I work with going forward. In my role I love being able to add value to the people agenda and work in partnership with senior leaders to focus on putting their colleagues first ahead of anything else. Most companies think putting their customers first is key but I have found out that if you place your colleagues first the customer service and profit will always follow.

How did you get into HR?

I fell into HR and have loved every moment. I am a qualified Nursery Nurse who started in Recruitment – recruiting for Thomson Holidays, and transitioned into Generalist HR. I am self-taught and have learned some practical lessons along the way. I have had the pleasure to have worked for great managers and even better teams who have taught me everything I know. I have always wanted to complete my CIPD, but balancing full time work, mother duties, and volunteering to be a school governor & on the PTA there was never time to complete this task. This is something I have added to my bucket list!

Describe your typical day

My typical day when I was in full time employment always involved chasing completion of emails, tasks, making sure my personal admin such as booking the children into whatever classes they required was actioned. I always applied pressure on myself to complete my list of tasks by the time I reached my bed. On most days it will all be done!! But now where I am not working for someone else my day is filled with exercise in the morning, clearing personal admin (all the stuff you always never get the time to action i.e. sort out bills, photos etc) and most importantly making the big decision to set up my own HR Consultancy – HR Blossoms. I am looking to create all the best bits I have learnt through my career and give it back to small and medium size organisations.

What has been your greatest challenge in your career to date?

Recognising when you are in an organisation that is not aligned to your own personal values and how you enable yourself to walk away. I have found myself in this situation once or twice in my career and both times I have loved my job, my team and know that there was a possibility that if I stuck around I could have added a lot of value. However, the direction of the company and senior leaders' opinions and business vision were misaligned to my values and direction of travel. As a result I have had to make some tough decisions which have led to me leaving the organisation. Both times when this has occurred I found it very mentally draining and the impacts on my personal health were vast. I try not regret my decisions, as ensuring that I am true to myself is very important to me. It can be scary when you are choosing to walk away from a role but sometimes you need to do the right thing for yourself, and long term, for the organisation.

What advice would you give younger people getting into the profession today – in particular, minority candidates?

My strong tip will be ‘to be patient’, trust your gut’ and make sure you bring yourself to work. When you fail to bring your whole self to work you loose the true you. Also your organisation does not get the benefit of everything you can achieve. Don’t think about your colour, think about the work and achievement you can have and what legacy you want to leave behind in everything you do.

What was the best career advice you were ever given, and by whom?

The best advice I was ever given was by my first manager in Thomson Holidays Fiona. Fiona advised that I should ‘go after something I am passionate about and never do something half hearted’. Her wise words encouraged me to carve a career in HR and also to recognise when to walk away when I am doing something half hearted. Hence why I have been blessed by the brilliant brands I have had the opportunity to work for.

Can you recommend any books and/or podcasts?

I will always recommend that you read something which fills your soul with joy and happiness – sounds cheesy I know but this is important. I am currently reading the following books ( I like reading 2- 3 books at any given time sad I know). A Change is Gonna Come – by Aisha Busby – its a selection of short stories and poems. Work Like a Woman - Mary Portas. How to be an Antiracist – Ibram X Kendi. However if I need to reflect on life my go to book is The Colour Purple – Alice Walker. I have read this book over 10 times and it always surprises me how it makes me feel. In regards to a Podcast – I have recently got hooked on Michelle Obama’s Podcast. Wow she is brilliant, honest and true to herself. Her style makes you want to be a better person. Love it!