Name and job title:
Rachael Davies - Group Reward Manager
Name and job title:
Vicky Dewar - Reward Assistant
Firstly, what motivates and inspires you both?
RD - I am motivated when I feel I am making a difference even if that is to just one individual, that I have a voice in my work and that I am valued for those contributions. I am inspired when I work with like-minded individuals, who work collaboratively across functions.
VD - Feeling like I’m making a difference motivates me. One of the reasons I’ve stayed in retail for so long is the satisfaction of helping someone find the perfect pair the shoes/bag/outfit/gift and seeing the excitement on their faces. My inspiration comes from those around me, whether it’s seeing the world through my daughter's eyes or working with some amazing people within HN.
How long have you both worked at HN?
RD - 21 years
VD - 9 years
Tell us a little bit about both of your career journeys, from where you started to now?
RD - I have worked in retail HR all my working life, mainly food retail (with duty management responsibilities) until moving to Scotland and joining Harvey Nichols to open Edinburgh in 2002 as HR Manager. Picked up Dublin alongside Edinburgh and then moved in the Reward role in August 21.
VD - I started as a Saturday girl in a shoe concession in Debenhams and haven’t looked back! From there I went onto Kurt Geiger and moved all over Scotland as a Concession Manager, then Store Manager and Trainer before coming to HN Edinburgh as Men’s International and Tailoring Department Manager in 2014. (It was Rachael who first interviewed me actually) From there I moved to Accessories and after Lockdown I was moved to the Foodmarket and Wineshop. I’ve always been keen to gain experience in different areas of the business so when the role of Reward Assistant came up, I jumped at the chance.
So, you’re both part of the Reward and Benefits team, what does that mean in a nutshell and how do you support staff at HN?
RD - Reward covers everything from payroll, to pensions, to benefits such as salary sacrifice schemes and staff shopping, to admin of pay review and bonus schemes. We work closely with Retail Trust, our employee assistance provider. My team include Vicky and the Payroll Team.
As a side line, I have been a lead in the Wellbeing group, which I will be handing over to our new D&I and Wellbeing Manager shortly and have been project lead on Charity to choose a charity. I also get involved with quite a number of ad hoc activities not always directly related to the day-to-day role.
VD - We are always looking at what benefits we can add to the portfolio in place. I have introduced YorkTest and Healthshield this year as well as refreshed the Staff Benefits and Reward Portal and created one for Dublin. I think it's important that everything is easily accessible to all so all your policies/procedures/forms are there as well as the current exclusion lists for staff shopping and marketplace directory.
What’s your favourite part about working at HN?
RD - I have been incredibly privileged to work across the years with so many amazing talented and caring people, and that has been one of my most favourite parts of my time here. I have always loved seeing how people I have worked with progress through their own career paths, knowing that for some I have been part of that journey and that makes me so proud of them and what they have achieved.
VD - The same as Rachael, for me it’s the people, and it always will be! I have had the opportunity to work with some wonderful people and am now lucky enough to call some of them my friends.