Senior food manufacturing HR practitioner Nigel Walters MCIPD has joined shift work optimisation and improvement specialist, optashift, as a consultant.
A Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Walters has over 30 years’ experience, previously holding HR leadership positions at Nestlé, Princes, Dairy Crest PLC, Pets At Home, Tata and Arla Foods.
He joins Manchester-headquartered optashift having spent 11 years as a consultant specialising in demand and capacity analysis, shift pattern design, change management, Trade Union relations and shift work policy development.
In his new role he will deliver optashift’s suite of technology-enabled services that help organisations increase productivity and performance, improve shift worker wellbeing, lessen fatigue, reduce sickness absence and enhance recruitment and retention.
Walters’ track record of delivering these benefits spans a wide range of shift working industries including manufacturing, warehouse and distribution, emergency services, utilities, airports, defence, energy, local authorities, residential care and field service.
Established in 2023 by former board directors of Working Time Solutions, optashift uses data science and collaboration to optimise shift patterns, enhance shift work management and support shift worker health and wellbeing.
The business has quickly grown to become the largest collective of shift work experts in the UK, with diverse disciplines including shift pattern design, fatigue risk management, change management, nutrition and sleep science.
It has also developed a range of digital tools spanning data analytics, shift pattern modelling and employee engagement which are embedded in its services.
Nigel Walters, consultant at optashift, said: “Throughout my career I’ve seen how improving shift work can be one of the most impactful elements of workforce strategy.
“It’s a game changer when it comes to driving organisational performance and supporting the health and wellbeing of the millions of shift workers around the world.
“I’m excited to be joining the experts at optashift and to be able to leverage its unique integrated approach to help improve shift work for organisations and their workforces.”
Robert Crossman, director of optashift, said: “Nigel’s background, knowledge and expertise will be of huge benefit to our customers.
“Shift work transformation needs people you can trust to innovate, deliver results and build meaningful, lasting relationships with stakeholders.
“His wealth of experience as a senior in-house HR practitioner and external consultant gives Nigel a natural understanding and empathy that makes all the difference in shift working environments.”
Read other recent news: https://industrial-compliance.co.uk/category/news/
