Chris Fairs
BA Business and Human Resources Management 2000
Chris completed a placement year at TRW Automotive which he found invaluable when he applied for graduate programmes upon completion of his degree.
Chris has over 15 years experience in both operational and strategic Human Resources and is currently a Human Resources Manager for the Articulated Trucks business of Caterpillar which is based in Peterlee, County Durham.
His responsibilities include employee relations, recruitment, environment & safety, compensation and benefits, occupational health, the site includes a Government funded learning centre and simulated work environment. The facility employs over 1000 people.
In 2014 the business won “Best Apprentice Employer of the year” award for the North East by the National Apprentice Service and his team were also awarded “Best North East HR team” by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.
Chris is also a member of the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) executive committee for the Northern region, a Director of East Durham Business Service, and a Business Ambassador on behalf of Caterpillar. He also served as an elected member of Sunderland City Council between May 08 – May 12.
Chris is an advocate of careers in industry and also the value of completing a placement year.
He said: “I would strongly advise students of the value of a placement year, the opportunity to work at TRW gave me the skills and experience to firstly to obtain a graduate position and then hit the ground running, I don’t believe I would have obtained this opportunity without completing a placement year”.