It’s that time again! Another new addition to the Connect Three team, so another episode in our ‘Connection Series’. Each post in the series shines the spotlight on the work of a member of the Connect Three team, and hopefully gives you a little insight into what we do, and how we can help you. Next in the interview hotseat is Neil Ferguson.

Hi Neil, welcome to the team! Let’s start with an easy one, what’s your role at Connect Three and what do you do? 

I am Senior HR Consultant and Account Manager. It’s a really varied role split between delivery of retained HR and project support to our clients and supporting the delivery team with the management of key client accounts.

On the delivery side of things, I work closely with clients to support their people functions whether they have an internal resource that I can support or if they look to me to be that resource. I keep them up to date with changes to legislation and am available to help with any people related queries or situations that arise.

On the Account Management side, I help ensure that clients are happy with their service, that we’re keeping across all of their people needs and can provide the first rate service that they expect from Connect Three.

That sounds like we’ll be keeping you busy! What was it about Connect Three that made you interested in joining the team? 

I’d known of Connect Three since attending a development session aimed at growth back in 2017 and was incredibly impressed with the quality of the content and its practical application which really helped me in my role at the time. I kept abreast of the company’s growth and progress since then and knew it was an organisation that placed a real focus on being a great place to work so when the opportunity to speak with Colin about a possible role emerged I was immediately interested.

I think the expertise within the team of delivering meaningful training and development for clients in areas including culture and values, diversity and inclusion, well-being and sustainability speaks for itself and these are all incredibly important areas for businesses right now and into the future. I wanted to be a part of that and am delighted that it has come to fruition.

OK, time to get personal – what are you reading right now?

I have recently become increasingly into audiobooks and particularly enjoy autobiographical content. Recent listens have included Bob Mortimer, Louis Theroux, Limmy and I’m currently listening to Steve Coogan’s. There’s definitely a comedic element running through those. I find it interesting to hear from these creatives about their lives and what has informed their approach to their work.

From a regular listening perspective, for work I listen to Daniel Barnett’s podcast to keep across interesting HR cases and legislative updates. For downtime I enjoy James Acaster and Ed Gamble’s Off Menu podcast which is always packed with nonsense.

Amazing – I love a good recommendation. If you could sit down for a cuppa & a chat with any business leader, who would it be?

I am lucky to have worked closely with many inspiring SME business leaders across the private and third sector throughout my career in HR Consultancy and had a cup of tea (or black coffee for me!) with them. If I am thinking of a well-known individual with huge success but who seems like they treat people well (given I work in HR!) then I would pick Ryan Reynolds. The way he has spotted opportunities in business outside of the career trajectory through films, but still manages to make films is phenomenal as is the diversity of what he is involved in. I am also football daft and so there’s an element of interest there too and he’d be a good laugh to chat to.

Well, if you set up that meeting I might tag along! Final question, what is the boldest thing you’ve ever done?  

I am terrible with questions like this! I did take a 48 hour round trip to Paris in 2008 for the France v Scotland football match (1-0 win, Faddy wondergoal!) taking nothing more than what I was wearing with a passport, bank card and toothbrush in my kilt sporran – pleased to say the trip was an overwhelming success and no issues arose from my lack of preparedness!

That was quite a match, well worth the trip! Thanks Neil, and we’ll be hearing more from you on the blog soon.