A business group has created a new leadership role focused on developing employee potential.
Karen Kelso has been promoted to head of people strategy and organisational development at WCF, an employee-owned company based in Brampton.
The company operates 10 businesses across 25 sites nationwide, including a fuel division in Hexham and the popular Herding Hill campsite in Haltwhistle.
Ms Kelso said: "This is an exciting time for WCF.
"Our people have always been at the heart of our success, and I’m passionate about helping individuals reach their full potential.
"By investing in leadership development and creating clear pathways for career progression, we can build a stronger, more resilient business model that is well positioned for the future."
Ms Kelso added: "I love having a positive impact on people's working lives.
"We have put a lot of effort into creating a work culture where every one of our 370 employees feel valued and listened to, and by implementing the same approach across all our sites, we want to build on that feeling of pride about working for WCF."
Her new role will focus on developing the skills of WCF’s 370 employees through additional leadership training, ongoing career development, and a mix of internal and external training programmes.
Ms Kelso has played a key role in talent attraction since joining WCF in 2019.
She was instrumental in helping the company achieve recognition in the Great Place to Work listings for a third consecutive year.
WCF was named one of the UK’s best large businesses overall, a top workplace in retail, hospitality, and leisure, and a company offering great opportunities for women.
Ms Kelso said: "The workplace is changing rapidly.
"Technology and AI are becoming increasingly important in how businesses operate, and this makes investing in people and organisational development more important than ever.
"We believe that the businesses that succeed will be those that combine the opportunities presented by new technology with great leadership, strong teams and people who are equipped and confident to adapt to change.
"As an employee-owned business, evolving and developing our team's capabilities is particularly important.
"Technology can help us become more efficient and make better decisions, but ultimately it is our team, their judgement, ideas and leadership that will determine our long-term success."
Ms Kelso will work closely with the senior leadership team to deliver WCF’s long-term goals through people-focused strategies, including workforce support, organisational structure, and improved leadership capability.
WCF’s operations span a wide range of sectors, including national mail order shopping brands, oil distribution, pet and equestrian retail, garden and landscaping e-commerce, and three five-star camping and glamping sites.
Ms Kelso said: "When you have several different businesses across 25 sites, you never get two days the same.
"One day you will be working with the fuels division, then a campsite and then a clothing brand, so you must adapt and understand each business’ challenges.
"But people are people and they have their own ambitions, expectations and personalities, and I’m excited to work with the team and ensure we continue to be a great place to work, and everybody feels they have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution."
Founded in 1911, WCF describes itself as a long-established, employee-owned group with a people-focused approach.
The group has built a reputation for combining commercial success with a people-focused approach.
Its diverse operations span leisure, retail, and logistics, serving customers across the UK.
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