Kathryn Betts, head of internal communications at Affinity Water, will present at Utility Week’s HR Forum 2015 on 9 September in Birmingham.

What’s the most important message you want people to take away from your presentation?

The most important message that I would like people to take away is that in today’s fast-paced socially connected world, as internal communications professionals, it can be a challenge to get a company’s message across effectively. The key difference we can make is to create high levels of understanding among teams, using traditional overt and social channels but most importantly by listening and matching what is being pushed out at a corporate level to those casual coffee machine conversations.

What do you feel is the most challenging thing for HR leaders in today’s utility environment?

Expectations are changing. In your personal life you have access to technology that makes your life easier, can get information really quickly and expect fast responses. The challenge is to make our processes, systems and ways of doing business as easy and social as they are becoming in our personal life.

What have been the best and worst moments of your professional life?

I have worked in some great teams and still do. My best moments include reducing written complaints by over 40 per cent at Affinity Water. I was working as the customer experience improvement manager at the time in one of the best team environments I’ve been part of. I am currently enjoying shaping the social business strategy for Affinity Water.

My worst career moment was probably while I was in teacher training. Having invested a lot of time and energy, the realisation that the career was not for me was quite painful. It was a scary decision to break free and even scarier to think about what I would do next. I’m glad I made that choice, though, and I’ve been in the water industry ever since.

Name five people you would invite to your ideal networking dinner and why

The author of The Chimp Paradox, Steve Peters. I really buy into his theories on behaviour.

Lewis Hamilton. I would be really interested to hear how he has pursued his dream and become so successful.

Hilary Clinton. I think she would have some good conversation!

Marc Bolland. I did my final university dissertation on Marks & Spencer and love the history of the brand.

Richard Branson. He’s a great innovator. I’d like to discuss a few ideas with him.

The main event

Utility Week’s HR forum takes place on 9 September at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham City Centre.

The conference tackles the challenges face by HR leaders in utility companies in recruiting the right talent to take their organisations forward in a time of radical change for the sector.

To find out more go to: www.uw-hr.net