Please introduce yourself & your company

My name is Melissa Emmanuel, I am a passionate, human-centric and strategic People Director.

I would describe myself as a proud geek with a profound passion for reading, especially drawn to the genre of African science fiction. Furthermore, I have a strong love for travel, and my husband and I are dedicated to discovering as much of the world as we can. I am also a very proud mother of wonderful daughters who are making remarkable progress in their respective fields of interest. #Proudmummoment.

In the fast-paced world of fashion, where creativity meets commerce, a robust human resources strategy is crucial for success. As the Global Director of People Operations and Reward at Tom Ford Fashion, my aim is to embody a blend of strategic insight and human-centric leadership. With over 20 years of experience in Strategic Human Resources, Total Reward, and HR Operations, I have dedicated my career to aligning HR best practices with organisational goals, ultimately enhancing employee engagement, employee satisfaction and the organisation’s EVP.

What is your morning routine?

Having a structured morning routine is one of the ways I fit everything into my schedule. Most days, I do an early morning gym session (or a brisk walk at the least), to get my blood pumping.  I then allocate some time to review my agenda for the day and prioritise appropriately.

My children are older now, so I no longer have the school run, but I try to squeeze in some time with them in the morning before my commute to work

How did you become involved with the luxury fashion industry?

My journey into luxury HR began during my tenure at Virgin Limited Edition (VLE). As the Global People and Benefits Manager, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to some truly stunning luxury destinations. While all of VLE’s locations were remarkable, my visit to Necker Island, where I led a global HRIS implementation project, was absolutely breathtaking.

Beyond the obvious visual splendour, what truly stood out to me was the hard work, dedication, and commitment of the employees. They embodied elegance and grace while displaying immense passion for the brand and the exceptional service they provided.

I distinctly remember thinking to myself, “Yes, this is a fit for me.”

My experience at Alexander McQueen reinforced this perspective, as I was immersed in the realm of luxury fashion. Collaborating with exceptionally talented individuals served as a tremendous source of inspiration. The creative energy and meticulous attention to detail that was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Every day brought new challenges and opportunities to learn, pushing the boundaries of what I thought possible.

Truly remarkable experiences!

That being said, I firmly believe that although there are specific competencies related to HR within various industries, the discipline itself can be effectively applied across all sectors.

I have gained experience across a wide range of industries, including consultancy, law, hospitality, and high fashion.

While I was working in my former position within the Financial Services sector, I was approached by Tom Ford Fashion and decided to accept the opportunity to join their team. I truly enjoy collaborating with exceptionally talented individuals. While much of my work focuses on data, legislative compliance, and strategy, I believe I contribute creative, practical, and tailored HR solutions and processes. These strategies and solutions are designed to thrive in fast-paced and dynamic environments.

What is your main responsibility?

Is this a trick question… :  )

In a nutshell, I am responsible for developing and implementing strategy that enhances employee experience and drives organisational effectiveness.

This means ensuring organisations are in the best position to attract and retain key talent, whilst remaining procedurally fair and legislatively compliant.

When collaborating with highly skilled individuals, be they software engineers or fashion designers, it is vital to establish connections, work together, and manage expectations effectively. Cultivating a strong relationship with team members creates an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect, which is key to unlocking everyone’s potential and accomplishing tasks. This is an area where I excel.

What is your typical day/week like?

Every day and week presents its own set of challenges; nonetheless, I manage several consistent deliverables on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis.

On one day, I might be responsible for overseeing global compensation and benefits programs, ensuring they are competitive and align with the company’s objectives.

On another day, I could be managing an employee relations case or spearheading a recruitment initiative.

The next day, I might collaborate with regional HR teams to maintain consistency and fairness in practices across all locations. However, as a proud geek, I must confess that my favourite task is utilizing data analytics to inform decision-making and identify key trends that could impact the workforce.

What’s the best part of your role?

A little cliché perhaps, but it’s the people.

As a human-centred HR practitioner, I take pride in crafting strategies that are not only fair and inclusive but also commercially aligned. I focus on providing opportunities for growth and development; by embracing a holistic approach to talent management, striving to create environments where every individual can flourish and make meaningful contributions to their department and the overall organisation’s success.

As part of the HR team, we may not always receive the external recognition we deserve. However, the inner fulfilment I experience when an employee thrives and advances because of a policy or process I have implemented is truly unparalleled.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is navigating the diverse needs and expectations of employees while ensuring alignment with the company’s goals.

It requires a delicate balance of empathy and strategic thinking, working to create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated.

Each day brings new situations, from resolving conflicts to implementing policies and systems and it’s my responsibility to foster positivity. This can be a tricky line to tread. However, Despite the challenges, the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives and contribute to the organisation’s success is incredibly rewarding.

What is / are your most memorable work moment?

I have experienced several memorable moments throughout the years, but winning the ‘Virgin Star of the Year’ truly stands out!

For nearly a decade, I worked as the People and Benefits Manager at Virgin Limited Edition, the hospitality branch of Virgin Group. It was an incredible training ground for me and a wonderful company to be part of. During an intimate ceremony hosted by Sir Richard Branson, I was among the fortunate few recognised with the Star of the Year award, selected from a pool of 70,000 global employees for my dedication and impact. I was (and continue to be) genuinely humbled and honoured to receive such acknowledgement.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in the same profession?

Communicate Effectively and Clearly

Focus on developing strong communication and interpersonal skills, as they are vital for managing relationships successfully. As HR professionals, we often serve as a link between employees and leadership. Keep in mind that empathy and integrity are crucial for building trust and nurturing positive workplace relationships, so ensure your words reflect your true intentions and actions.

Legislation and Compliance

Staying informed about HR laws and regulations is essential to maintain compliance and fair practices within the organisation. As HR, your primary responsibility is to mitigate people’s risks by ensuring that the right talent is engaged in appropriate activities at the right time and in accordance with the law. This can be challenging without a clear understanding of the HR legislative landscape in your area.

Understand the Culture

While it may be simple to repeat HR best practices, embedding them into an organisation in a meaningful and relevant manner is more complex. Gaining a deep understanding of the organisational culture will enable you to develop commercial HR strategies that align with the company’s goals.

Leverage Technology

Being adaptable and willing to learn new technologies can significantly improve your efficiency and effectiveness in managing HR tasks. By incorporating technological advancements, such as AI, into your HR practices, you can streamline operations and foster a more engaging and productive work environment.