Interview with Jonathan Bond - Director of HR & Learning, Pinsent Masons
Posted in : HR Interview Series on 15 March 2019 Issues covered:Name: Jonathan Bond
Position & Organisation: Director of HR & Learning - Pinsent Masons
Number of Employees: 3450
Time in Post: 12 years
Previous Job: Head of HR, London – Allen & Overy
Tell us about your business in a sentence
Pinsent Masons is an international law firm, delivering innovative legal services to our clients through four global sectors and practising the core values of approachable, bold and connected.
What was your first ever job?
As a schoolboy, I delivered free newspapers, for which I was paid 1p per copy. Earning £1 per hour whilst working in the cold and wet was a good early experience about the challenges of entry-level work.
What are the key challenges you face in your role?
Making sure that in a growing organisation, we achieve global consistency and that we find ways to portray all the genuine positives about the organisation to our potential recruits around the world. To back that up, I am super keen to ensure that everybody in my department collaborates and shares the same goal, no matter their role and location.
What keeps you going when things get tough?
Desire to do a good job; a passion for the work and the challenge, but also a realisation that there is a wider world out there and we should not take ourselves too seriously.
If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
Apart from this one, I would find it very satisfying to be a successful song writer. As well as the enjoyment from such work, it would be brilliant to write the music which plays such a part in many peoples' lives. That said, it may be a solitary job, without the interaction which I enjoy in my work.
Who do you most admire in business locally and/or internationally? Why?
I am impressed by both the business success and the philanthropy of Bill Gates. Having developed world-leading products which have changed the way people work and live, he has now turned his considerable skills and resources to improving the lives of disadvantaged people across the world.
How do you unwind after a tough week?
Spending time with my wife and three sons, often watching the latter play football – then playing a bit of golf and piano if there is any time left!
* Pinsent Masons have been shortlisted in the Best Employer for Equality & Diversity in NI, Best Gender Initiative and Best LGBT Initiative categories at this year’s Equality and Diversity Awards & Gala on Friday 5th April 2019.
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