Q&A Interview with Andy Jeffcutt (1994-2001)

1. Your full name (and last name at school, if different) and years at Chipping Campden School
Andy Jeffcutt 1994 – 2001 (inc. Sixth Form)

2. What are you doing now?
I live in Nottinghamshire and work as Head of People Services (HR, Safeguarding & Health & Safety) for a company that specialise in youth training and education. We also run the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme for the East Midlands.

3. What's a typical working day for you?
Get into the office between 7-8, get bogged down with emails and meetings all day and then try to escape the office before 6!

4. Have you ended up in the job you thought you'd be in when you were a teenager?
I had absolutely no idea what job I was going to do when I left school. I went to the University of Southampton to study Geography and after graduating secured a job on a graduate programme with Lidl. After ten years with Lidl and various job roles, I left to follow a more HR focused career.

5. What's the best/ worst/ most unusual thing about your job
Best – working for a company that genuinely makes a difference.

6. What would you say to Chipping Campden pupils who are interested in a career in Human Resources?
I moved into HR gradually through a series of job roles changes that saw my role shift from an operational role into more of a traditional HR role. As a consequence I learnt on the job, rather than through a qualification. Whilst this ‘real world’ experience was invaluable, I found that prospective employers wanted to see a qualification to back up my experience. So earlier this year I went through the process of becoming Chartered with the professional body for HR (CIPD). I would highly recommend anyone thinking about a career in HR to undertake a CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development) qualification.  

7. What was your favourite subject/ teacher/ classroom/ school trip etc?
I had several memorable teachers, but the one I have to mention is Mrs Wateridge who was my tutor group teacher from year 7 right through to sixth form.

8. How many school mates are you in touch with now?
I recent met with 5 of my friends from school, although it has been several years since we last met it was just like old times.