The HR director at the BBC during some of its most turbulent times, including the Jimmy Savile scandal, is to speak to senior dealer executives.

Lucy Adams (pictured) was responsible for all aspects of employee relations, reward, training and development.

She reduced the BBC management by over 30%, saving the organisation £25 million a year.

Adams will reveal at the AM Executive Breakfast Club meeting on Friday, September 9 how she made the changes and discusses how to deliver real change within a large, complex organisation, and why it isn’t always popular; balancing the need for quick decisions with possible moral backlash about severance, and issues relating to employee engagement.

She also faced a torrent of personal and professional criticism as the broadcaster dealt with a series of crises.

In her five year tenure Lucy saw four DGs come and go, oversaw the move to the Salford site and coped with numerous, very public crises including executive pay-offs and the Savile scandal.

This alongside the everyday work of talent retention, development and remuneration, HR policy, and the challenges of a publicly-funded organisation working in a highly commercial, fast-moving sector with over 20,000 employees.

“In an uncertain world, many accepted ideas of leadership aren’t up to the job and by looking at everything from management theory to neuroscience she considers fresh perspectives on leadership, employee engagement and management organisation”, she said.

She also addresses how businesses can deal with public scrutiny and adverse publicity, and the nature of leadership and change in organisations.

Prior to working at the BBC, Adams was group HR director at Serco, the government services business covering transport to nuclear facilities to schools.

She was in position during a period of extensive expansion and acquisition for the business, incorporating new employees and cultures.

Prior to Serco Adams worked for the law firm Eversheds.

> The AM Executive Club is open to all senior executives at franchised dealer groups. If you would like to attend please contact Nicola Baxter at nicola.baxter@bauermedia.co.uk.

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