SARA IS LEADING CHANGE IN THE NORTH EAST
June 2011
Waterstons Consultant, Sara Ridley has successfully launched a regional network for change managers.
Sara hosted the first meeting of the North East Change Management Institute earlier this month at The Durham Centre in Belmont, Durham. The meeting was attended by representatives from private sector businesses including Fox Head Europe and Intersnack UK; local government; universities; and several business consultants.
The Change Management Institute is an independent professional association set up to promote and develop the practice of change management internationally.
Sara commented “We have received an overwhelmingly positive response to the concept of a change management network in the North East. Change Managers from all over the region came to the launch and there was a great buzz and energy in the room.”
Sara became involved with the Change Management Institute, which was established in Australia in 2004, when she attended the launch of the UK chapter in London earlier this year.
“When I learnt the Change Management Institute was looking to establish regional chapters around the UK I was really keen to get something set up for the North East. In my role at Waterstons I meet a lot of people who are managing change in their organisation and I knew it would be beneficial for them to meet and share experience and ideas”
Faith Forster, Change Management Institute UK Chapter Head visited the region for the launch event. Faith spoke about the progress the Change Management Institute had made in the UK to date; which includes the development of a professional accreditation program, a mentoring programme and a range of online tools and templates.
The attendees also heard from Sally Waterston, Waterstons Director, who had advice for organisations implementing change to processes and IT systems. Sally shared insight into how to ensure systems are accepted at all levels of the business, how to deal with sceptics and the importance of communication throughout the process.
Superintendent Paul Unsworth, Head of Resource Planning and Business Change at Durham Constabulary commented “The prospect of a North East England network of this kind is exciting and the interest at the launch was very encouraging. The benefits to be gained from building relationships among change management professionals across the private and public sector and education are obvious. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Institute develops in the region.”
Sara is now finalising details for the next meeting of the North East Change Management Institute. If you are interested in being kept informed of Change Management Institute activities you can contact Sara Ridley at sara.ridley@waterstons.com 08450940945.