PiRA24 Judge Interview: Phil Vickers, Charles Tyrwhitt
Meet Phil Vickers, the Director of HR at menswear brand Charles Tyrwhitt and very much the driving force in shaping a workplace culture rooted in transparency and open communication.
Phil brings expertise in HR, talent management, and organisational effectiveness. His commitment to positive workplace cultures aligns seamlessly with the awards’ ethos.
What inspired you to become a judge for the People in Retail Awards?
I’m really excited about being a judge for the People in Retail Awards this year. Reading the stories from last year and seeing the level of excitement build in the run up to the event really helped show the power of recognising people and their contributions. I’m excited to see the nominations come through this year and I know I’ll be blown away by some of the stories.
What role do rewards and recognition, particularly through awards like this, play in the retail industry, and why do you think they are important?
Retail is a wonderful industry but one that often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I think that awards like this are really important to highlight how fulfilling a career in Retail can be and to shine a light on the great examples of customer service that exist across Retail sectors. As Retail is such a fast-paced industry, we don’t always make the time to stop and recognise where things have gone well, so awards like this are a useful way to press the pause button and take time out to shout about Retails best and brightest.
In your perspective, how integral are people to the success of a business, and why do you believe focusing on individuals is crucial?
To put it simply, people are the business! Ultimately without its people, no business would survive or be a success. Having a rich and diverse workforce helps bring the culture to life and create the conditions to succeed. Quite often we focus on the overall results delivered at a team level – so the sales performance of a store or the conversion on the website. Whilst it’s great to do this, sometimes focusing specifically on the individuals behind this can be really important in terms of showcasing what great looks like for all colleagues to see.
What criteria or qualities are you particularly looking for when evaluating nominations for the People in Retail Awards?
For me, I’d like to see how the nominee has gone above and beyond the norm and what is expected of them, where they’ve made things happen because it was the right thing to do. I’m also looking to see that passion for service come through, as delivering great service and exceeding expectations is a really uplifting thing to do.
Any advice or top tips for companies entering?
Put your all into it! Pulling together the entries does take time, but adding in the examples and detail to bring the situation to life is really important, as we will only be able to go off what you tell us.
In 2023, Charles Tyrwhit had three ‘Tyrwhitteers’ shortlisted as finalists in the People in Retail awards. Not only were they shortlisted but Jason Brownlee won the coveted Employee of the Year Award!
Jason commented: “I did not expect to win, when my name was called out it was quite a moment and one that I’m very grateful for. I am incredibly proud and want to say a big thank you to CT for putting me forward”
