Interim Interviews…Sudeshna Chakraborty

Our Interim team here at Macmillan Davies works with a range of fantastic interim professionals. In the latest edition of our ‘Interim Interviews’ series, Sophie Atkinson, Senior Consultant in our Interim Recruitment team, speaks to Sudeshna Chakraborty, a HR Consultant with over 15 years of experience in implementing people strategies to support supporting company growth.

Tell me about your career to date?

I am a Chartered qualified HR Professional with 15 years of experience with a proven track record of embedding people strategies, working with senior leaders, and supporting company growth. I have a breadth of experience across sectors including global consultancy, UK local government, NHS, and not-for-profit within highly unionised environment. Developed and delivered evidence-based, pragmatic, and sustainable HR interventions both hands-on and strategic deliverables.

My career to date has mostly been in full-time HR generalist roles and the last one being Head of HR. The key areas of focus were employee relations, organisation development, and HR strategies. Most of my employed roles were in the public sector or Charities with some short stints in the private sector/financial services.

In 2021, I took the leap of faith and handed in my resignation to start my own HR consultancy (Pragma HR) which has been a long-term dream. In the last two years, I have provided a range of services including both strategic and hands-on operational HR support. I have worked with a variety of clientele which included very small to large charities, large and small private sector clients, and some public sector like the NHS.

What attracted you to a career as an Interim specialist? 

In the last two years of my consultancy, I have loved every project that I worked on and the amount of variety it offers in my day-to-day work. I also loved the fact it gave me the opportunity to work both on hands-on operational tasks as well as strategic work supporting my clients. However, I do miss working in a team, co-delivering projects, and also seeing through the outcome of any project or working on a solution to a specific project/problem. Whilst I do provide solutions and work with my clients on delivering those. However, being external to the team, is different to working in-house, which I enjoy. I am a problem solver and love working on timed projects, so I believe interims would be a great gateway to fulfilling my career aspirations whilst adding value to the organisation/company I will work for.

What has been your most enjoyable/memorable part of a project thus far?

Whilst writing this, it’s actually very difficult to remember one thing. However, I can remember one of the recent projects/clients that I am currently working on. The project started off as a very complex employee relations issue involving the executive director/partner of a small business, some of which were a bit out of my depth given it involved company law as much as employment law. However, working alongside the other Partner (my client), I did get to a reasonable solution without letting it slip into further complications but the best part was, I developed great relations with my client, and we are now working on multiple projects and feel almost extended part of their management team where we discuss day to day operations and jointly find solutions. This may not always be just HR topics but includes the overall direction of the firm and I add the inputs on how to make it efficient on the people front and think about proactive solutions. I have enjoyed building the relationship most and seeing my client succeed is most enjoyable for me.

What are some of the core skills you use as a HRD/Consultant?

Besides the usual of knowing your trade, which is expert HR and employment law knowledge. I would listen to clients first and understand what they are looking for or find out what would be best for them. Offer an individualist approach and be pragmatic about solutions that I offer as it varies on the nature of the company/organisation they are.

Building relationships with the key stakeholders is most important in order to get to a solution and agree on an approach rather than providing a standard response on issues.

What is the best piece of career advice you have received?

One of my favourite bosses had said to me, remember Sudeshna ‘Rome was not built in a day’ Taking things slow before you can see the results. As I said earlier, I love to work on timed projects or work on a solution-based approach. However, that means I want to see results too quickly. However, I have learned some results and outcomes do take their own course. As long as you continue to do the right thing the results will definitely come through even if it’s not evident immediately.

Anything else you would like to add?

My mantra is ‘Bringing the Human Back in Human Resources’. So, I don’t believe the approach of quoting employment law to force a process or bring change. I work with people and offer a pragmatic approach to finding the best solution. My ethos of working with my clients is to offer a positive experience for both. I believe it is quite a creative process of finding a solution that is best suited for my clients.

Get in touch

Sudeshna is immediately available and won’t be on the market for long. To discuss further please contact our interim consultants:

• Sophie Atkinson – satkinson@mdhr.co.uk – 07930 086 518

• Amy Smith – asmith@mdhr.co.uk – 07946 173 393

Alternatively, if you require candidates of a different calibre for your business’s interim needs or if you would like to discuss how you can become an exclusive Macmillan Davies Professional, please contact the above.