HR professional has relocated from Melbourne to Saltaire to take up a top role at Tong Garden Centre.
Neil Barwise joins the team at the multi award-winning centre as Head of People and Culture.
He joins the business from a weddings and events business and brings a wealth of HR experience to Tong. Managing Director, Mark Farnsworth said: “We’re delighted to welcome Neil to the team.
“His role will be to manage all the day to day HR responsibilities and to develop our biggest asset – our people. As the business expands from our single site to a multi-site operation.”
Neil’s excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. He says: “I’m looking forward to building a strong culture to take us forward. I want to engage, develop and motivate our growing team.
“The purpose of my role is to make sure that we attract, recruit, keep and develop the best people. It’s also to make sure that Tong continues to be a great place to work.
“I’m from Whitehaven in Cumbria, but studied HR in Leeds, so I’m like an adopted Yorkshire man now and it’s good to be back.”
When he’s not working, Neil follows Rugby League and is planning his wedding in August.
Tong Garden Centre owners acquired the centre in 2015 and are currently completing an ambitious £4m investment. This includes a new soft play centre opening this summer. They’re also seeking extra sites to replicate the successful formula.
