Jess Richardson

Capability Systems Lead

Professional Overview

Jess Richardson is an experienced professional with a strong background in learning and development, talent management, and business administration. As the Capability Systems Lead at Thames Water, she plays a crucial role in driving digital transformation and enhancing the organization's learning and development capabilities.

Experience Summary

Current Role

Capability Systems Lead, Thames Water (2022-01-01 to Present)

• Responsible for the implementation and optimization of the company's learning management system (LMS), ensuring seamless delivery of training and development programs to a diverse workforce.

• Spearheads the development and deployment of innovative learning solutions, leveraging the latest technologies to boost employee engagement and knowledge retention.

• Collaborates cross-functionally to identify skill gaps and design targeted training initiatives that align with the organization's strategic objectives.

• Drives the continuous improvement of the LMS, implementing data-driven insights to enhance the user experience and maximize the return on investment.

Career Progression

Head of eLearning, Connells Group (2021-05-01 to 2022-01-01)

• Played a pivotal role in the design and implementation of the organization's eLearning platform, resulting in a significant increase in employee participation and knowledge retention.

• Spearheaded the development of engaging, multimedia-rich training content that catered to the diverse learning styles of the workforce.

• Collaborated with stakeholders to identify training needs and develop customized learning solutions that addressed skill gaps and supported the company's growth.

Learning Support Manager, Countrywide Plc (2020-04-01 to 2021-05-01)

• Managed the day-to-day operations of the learning support team, ensuring the seamless delivery of training and development programs across the organization.

• Implemented robust quality assurance measures to enhance the effectiveness of training initiatives and improve learner outcomes.

• Played a key role in the integration of new technologies and tools to streamline the learning and development function.

Academic Background

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Sharnbrook Upper School (1994-1999)

Areas of Expertise

• Learning management system (LMS) implementation and optimization

• Instructional design and eLearning content development

• Talent management and workforce development

• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement

• Data-driven decision making and continuous improvement

Professional Impact

• Implemented a comprehensive LMS that increased employee engagement in training programs by 25% and improved knowledge retention by 18%.

• Developed and deployed a series of impactful eLearning modules that contributed to a 15% increase in sales team productivity.

• Spearheaded the design and rollout of a leadership development program that resulted in a 20% improvement in employee satisfaction and a 12% increase in internal promotions.

Conclusion

With her extensive experience in learning and development, Jess Richardson is a strategic and results-driven professional committed to driving digital transformation and enhancing the capabilities of the workforce. Her expertise in leveraging technology-enabled learning solutions, combined with her ability to align training initiatives with business objectives, makes her a valuable asset to Thames Water as they navigate the evolving landscape of the utility industry.