10 In 10: Kate Booth HR Business Partner At New Dawn Resources

In this regular feature for The Yorkshire Times, we put a regional business professional in the hot seat and give them 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions. Here, we hear from Kate Booth, HR business partner of Holmfirth-based New Dawn Resources…

What does a typical working day for you involve?
We provide HR support to businesses who either don’t have an in-house HR function or whose HR managers need a bit of extra help from time to time.

The nature of what we do means that my working days vary a lot. Some days, I’m in the office drafting contracts and providing guidance on employment relations issues. Other days, I’m out and about, either on client sites conducting meetings with managers and staff, or at a tribunal.

I might have a super-early start if I’m meeting staff on a night shift – to investigate a health and safety breach – holding a disciplinary hearing, or consulting about changes to shift patterns. Or, I might work late into the evening if I’m delivering training to managers who struggle to take time out in office hours. I work flexibly to meet the needs of my clients and their staff.

What makes your company special?
We’re small enough to deliver a very personal and tailored service. We spend time building relationships and gaining understanding of our clients’ business culture and goals. We see the client relationship as a partnership.

We’re also big enough to provide reliable, consistent support. If I’m out of the office, one of my excellent, experienced colleagues will be in: we organise our diaries to make sure that there is always someone in and no client has to wait for a call back.

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?
Yes. Always act with integrity and empathy. Even when dealing with a difficult situation, such as a dismissal conversation, I work to maintain the self-esteem of the other person.

I also do not feel there is ever a need to talk down the competition. I will be judged on my own merits and so will they!

Do you dress up or down for work?
I dress for my day. Sometimes its jeans and trainers, sometimes a smart dress and jacket. I like the variety – and it gives me excuses to go shopping.

What piece of advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Don’t worry too much about what other people think of you. They should be focused on their own thing and you should get on with yours.

What’s your favourite Yorkshire venue for an event or team away day
Escape rooms are great and there are so many to choose from. We also recently had a cocktail-making masterclass at the Alchemist in Leeds, which was a lot of fun.

How do you prefer to travel for business?
It depends on where I’m going. I’ll drive or use the train. Either way, I’ll usually be listening to an audiobook.

What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?
Can I say my house? My house, with a Chinese takeaway, a bottle of prosecco and a good film.

Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire and what dish do you recommend?
The General Tarleton Inn in Ferrenbsy, near Harrogate. I used to work there and have two of their recipe books. Their signature dish is Moneybags, which is a seafood and filo pastry parcel in a lobster bisque sauce. I can make them, thanks to the recipe books, but mine aren’t a patch on the original.

What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you’re away?
The green. I complain about the rain, but I love our green and pleasant land!