Belong Appoints New Head of People
Not-for-profit care village operator Belong has appointed Mike Griffiths as head of people, responsible for the human resource function at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme and the group’s seven other locations.
Mike will lead all aspects of HR, including recruitment, learning and development, and employee relations and experience, as the organisation continues to expand across the North West, it is set to open a new village in Birkdale next year.
His initial priorities include supporting the selection and implementation of a suite of people and payroll systems and continuing to enhance learning, development, induction and succession planning pathways, as well as continuing to strengthen the group’s recruitment and retention initiatives.
Belong employs over 1,200 people in village-based and home care roles.
As a member of Belong’s senior management team, he will promote and encourage collaboration, co-production and the development of internal connections across all teams to support the development of the organisation’s shared vision to integrate services, housing and community and redefine what’s possible for the well-being of older people.
Underpinning all of this, he says, will be a focus on ensuring that Belong is a ‘great place to work’ and enhancing employee experience at all stages of colleagues’ journeys.
Mike has 22 years’ experience in HR-related roles, including eight years in senior HR leadership roles within the social care sector. He joins from Alternative Futures Group, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and mental health conditions, where he was head of HR and payroll.
Previously, he worked for Riverside Group housing association and Merseyside Police and has a track record of supporting the development of mindset, practice and processes to create improvements in all aspects of working lives.
Mike is passionate about the health and social care sector and says that he is grateful to work in organisations that make a positive difference to people’s lives.
“Working within the health and social care sector and being part of a team with values at its heart is hugely motivating and rewarding” says Mike.
“I was drawn to Belong for its fantastic reputation, innovative and sector-leading model of support and the fantastic outcomes they achieve for people. Since joining, I have been amazed by the quality of care provided, and I am looking forward to playing my part in Belong’s exciting future.”
Belong chief executive, Martin Rix, added: “Mike’s many years of experience in organisations with a social purpose, including in social care, make him a good fit for Belong and will be invaluable for continuing to make sure we stand out as a great place to work within our regions, in turn helping to improve outcomes for customers. We are delighted to welcome him on board.”
There are currently a number of opportunities at Belong villages and Belong at Home services across the North West. Find out more at www.belong.org.uk/jobs
