SQLBits 2023

Power of the people in your business

As an experienced people HR Director of a multi-award winning data analytics consultancy, this session will give you an inside look into how to create a people centric and learning culture in your organisation where employees grow and thrive with the business. We will also look at how to encourage and leverage young talent in the tech industry, our latest apprentice won Apprentice of the Year! Finally, we will look at skills gaps and the recruitment challenge facing the tech industry.
As an experienced people HR Director of a multi-award winning data analytics consultancy, this session will give you an inside look into how to create a people centric and learning culture in your organisation where employees grow and thrive with the business. We will also look at how to encourage and leverage young talent in the tech industry, our latest apprentice won Apprentice of the Year! Finally, we will look at skills gaps and the recruitment challenge facing the tech industry.

Hollie Whittles is an award winning TEDx Speaker and Director of two digital companies Purple Frog Systems and FraggleWorks. She is also the UK national policy skills chamption working directly with the Government and Federation of Small Businesses on skills and apprenticeships.

In the role as HR Director, consultant and business mentor, Hollie has helped many businesses overcome challenges and grow their teams. Hollie is an advocate of great people management and lifelong learning and will be sharing insights from both her corporate and volunteering work to help inspire you whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out on your journey.

This session will cover how to create and maintain a people culture, lessons learned, what works well, how to attract young talent, idnetifying skills gaps, leaning and Microsoft exams, HR systems and analytics and much more.

Hollie has worked in blue-chip companies running talent management programmes, run small to medium enterprises, worked with the education sector and trained business start-ups. In 2022, Hollie successfully completed her CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management through an apprenticeship to complement her BA (hons) degree in Business Studies, proving that apprenticeships can be undertaken at any stage of your career!

She has won numerous business awards over the years and in 2021 was named one of the top 40 Women in Tech by Digital Women.

Hollie works with local schools and colleges on career development, is an Enterprise Advisor, as well as a Business Mentor for Shropshire Youth Support Trust and works with Universities and businesses to offer career specific work placements in the digital industries.