Lisa Spinner (on the right of the picture) is HR officer with Finnforest UK Ltd based in Harrow, west London.
“I entered Finnforest on their Graduate Trainee Programme after a degree which covered marketing, French and human resources. I didn’t know anything about the trade so the chance to dip my toes into every aspect of the business over my first 12-18 months gave me an excellent opportunity to learn, which has since stood me in good stead. I was also able to work in France for three years and have been involved in company development exercises from rebranding to implementing a major roll-out of new IT systems.“My key areas of work cover recruitment and resourcing, personal development reviews and appraisals, training, and keeping up to date on best practice in HR and related corporate responsibility issues. As you’d expect I’m also involved in HR metrics and in providing support and guidance on policies, procedures and the law relating to HR. I’m currently studying for ongoing Chartered Institute of Personnel Development qualifications.
“Variety is the best part of my job. I feel I’m working in an exciting industry that’s growing fast and no two days are ever the same. Timber is the only truly sustainable resource we have for building and its reputation with the public will only change if more young people come into the business and find out what it’s really like.
“The industry needs to raise its profile with the public in general, whether it be through seeing timber bridges in the local park, timber structures such as sports centres, or through websites like The Doorway. If you want to enjoy your job, and have good people to work with, then come into the timber sector.”
