Neil Wainwright Farrar, Learning and Development Manager, is the embodiment of Clarity values and culture. Not only is he an integral part of the operations management structure, he is the kind of character every business needs: positive, motivational and tenacious, someone everyone can relate to.
A finalist for Operations Manager of the Year at the Business Travel People Awards 2019, we decided to grab a quick catch up with Neil to gain an insight into his life at Clarity:
What’s a regular morning for you?
At present its helping to get our five and two year old boys ready for their day ahead. So, it’s bath or shower, dress, eat breakfast and even though there are two of us getting them ready, it can be a real challenge! There are tougher mornings ahead as from the beginning of June, I’ll need to do this on my own as well as a separate nursery and school drop off three days a week. If I think my mornings are hard work now, I fear I have more challenging times ahead. And this is all before I even reach the office!
What are your main responsibilities?
My main responsibilities are to manage, develop and run an effective Learning & Development function for Clarity and support the wider HR Department with L&D activities, compliance and reporting. To achieve this, I design, review and maintain training relevant to the wider business or department specific areas. I do this through a wide range of activities including e-learning, web conferencing and class room based sessions. I also manage training budgets, staff appraisals companywide and the Brighter Beginnings apprenticeship programme – a programme I am particularly passionate about.
How would you describe a particular work day?
This can vary so much depending on where I am going, what I’m doing and what’s happening within the business. If I am delivering training, I may need to travel the night before, so I am ready for those early starts. I am often setting up rooms ready to welcome course attendees and making sure all arrangements are taken care of so they have the best possible learning experience.
As I run a number of the induction training courses, I’m conscious that I am one of the first faces people will encounter when they join the business. With this in mind, it’s important I give them a good impression – so I need to make sure I’m smiling, full of energy and plenty of positivity is shared throughout the day.
What’s your most memorable work moment?
There are so many to choose from! Every day is different here at Clarity. If I had to choose, one that springs to mind would be presenting at the Guild of Travel Management Companies Domestic Conference, where I spoke to key players in our industry about the importance and benefits of apprenticeships.
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the interaction I have with colleagues and external key people in the business travel industry. I enjoy helping and supporting Clarity and all our staff to learn and develop and achieve success. To help provide people with the opportunity to improve and better their future really is amazing.
If you haven’t already, check out our latest vlog and watch Neil in action: