Chris Thomas
Chris has extensive experience in all aspects of employee relations, particularly in periods of fundamental change. He brings an absolute understanding of what drives organisational performance and a blend of ‘people’ and ‘business’ skills to his work with Marshall-James.
Chris began his professional career in financial services, working for 30 years for the RSA Group. He specialised in Employee Relations in 1990 when he was Employee Relations Manager for Royal UK. In 2003 he was part of the MBO team who purchased the group’s Health Care and Assistance Divisions to form the new FirstAssist Group. As HR Director Chris played a key role in separating and transforming the new organisation, establishing the new HR strategy and HR operating model. Chris left FirstAssist in 2007 having played a central role in its eventual demerger.
Since then, Chris has worked with numerous organisations in the public and private sectors, working as an advisor, focusing on employee relations and communications to deliver complex programmes. He has been successful in working with senior management teams in heavily unionised environments where there has been strong resistance to change. His approach to employee relations is based on high levels of engagement with management and workforce where he has used his depth of experience, open style and understanding of organisational culture, to ensure that planned outcomes are achieved.
Chris is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.
