Andy Lane
Jean moved from Prudential, where she restructured the workforce and co-founded Egg, to retail at M&S and then to London 2012. As HR Director she had to mobilise 200,000 Gamesmakers and build a team to pull off a hugely complex task under intense media scrutiny. In speeches Jean underlines the need for a detailed engagement plan and for directors “to get stuck in.” Ensure everybody buys into the mission – but allow them to be themselves.
View / Submit“The audience were moved and inspired, Jean did a great job’”
The Institute for Family Business (UK)
As HR Director for London 2012, Jean mobilised 200,000 Gamesmakers and led a project where there was no room for failure. With a finely tuned strategy and “no room for egos,” she built a team to deliver the best Games in modern history.
Jean began her career at Ford before moving to Prudential, where she became responsible for programme management, restructuring and reengineering the workforce. She also led the first phone-based financial services offer (Pru Direct), and went on to become a co-Founder of Egg. Her next challenge was with Marks & Spencer, from where she was headhunted to manage people and strategy for the London Olympics and Paralympics.
Jean demonstrates why business requires a detailed engagement plan, excellent communication and a shared set of values. She addresses change management, risk and contingency planning, and the need for a shared vision to be communicated clearly: “Leadership is shown in the way people are managed and directors are paid to get stuck in.”
