Horizon awards ceremony
13 December 2010
An awards ceremony was held at the College on 7 December to celebrate the achievements of three cohorts of Imperial staff, who have completed the Horizon Leaders Programme.
The programme, developed and coordinated by Judy Barnett, Talent Development Manager (HR), focuses on Professional Services staff, who have been identified as having the ability and potential to work at a more senior level within the College.
Dr Martin Knight, the College’s Chief Operating Officer, presented the 42 participants, ranging from departmental administrators to specialists in the support services, with their certificates. Congratulating them, Dr Knight said:
“If you have talented people in the organisation, it is very important to give them responsibility. The Horizon Leaders Programme is all about supporting talent in the College.”
The Horizon programme lasts for 10 months, beginning with a two-day Learning and Development Centre workshop. Alongside modules and masterclasses, participants have the opportunity to be involved in cross-College projects. They also receive coaching support and shadow a senior member of staff.
What was your experience of the Horizon Leaders Programme?
Reporter spoke to Horizon participants to find out what they got out of the programme.
Paul Brown, Mechanical Instrumentation Workshop Manager (Physics)
“The highlights of Horizon for me were shadowing former Head of Commercial Services, Paddy Jackman and secondly the master classes given by specially invited guests. The most challenging part of the programme was preparing and delivering a presentation to senior managers from across the campus at the end of the course; however this was also the most rewarding once I did it! This course showed just how importantly Imperial takes staff development. ”
Rosie Shaw, Executive officer (Medicine Centre)
“The Development Centre was the thing that set the programme apart from other development and training opportunities. It ensured we felt part of a supportive group rather than a set of individuals going through the programme, and set up a strong network for our future careers at Imperial. I learned a lot about presentation in different contexts, which I am already directly applying on a day-to-day basis. We were also introduced to a range of management models which will certainly inform some of the work I’ll be doing over the coming year.”
Sally Jensen, Head of Venues and Events (Commercial Services)
“I really enjoyed meeting other staff members who work in very different roles to me and it was interesting to discover that we all encountered similar challenges and problems. The final presentation in front of all the senior managers and the people who had nominated me for the course was the most challenging for me. I really wanted to show them what I have gained from the experience so the pressure was on. It’s been really nice to have some formal guidance and gain some new professional skills.”
— John-Paul Jones, Communications and Development
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