Workplace relations advisers Acas has appointed Tony Cooper as its new director of the South West region, based in its Bristol office.
Mr Cooper has worked for Acas for 23 years, having had roles in every aspect of the organisation. He has also worked in the retail sector.
He succeeds James Crass, who held the post for more than three years. Mr Crass has moved on to become an Acas director in London, a role which includes working with large companies with their headquarters in the capital and managing the services Acas is providing for the 2012 Olympics.
Mr Cooper has lived in Bristol for more than 20 years, having first come to the city as a law student at the University of the West of England.
Acas is an independent service helping businesses with practical advice on getting the best out of their management teams and employees, preventing disputes and settling strikes. It also offers free advice to employees on problems at work.
Mr Cooper says Acas has a key role to play in helping businesses in Bristol through difficult economic times and in supporting Prime Minister David Cameron’s campaign to help businesses big and small grow their way out of the downturn.
He said: “It is an old cliché to say that a business’s greatest asset is its workforce. But that said, the reality is that many businesses still do not harness the huge power within their workforce as well as they could. Everybody in a company needs to understand why what they do is important – and what happens to the company if they don’t do it. It’s also about companies utilising the talents and skills of the people they do have.
“The businesses and organisations we help are very pleased with our services, and we know there are many more in Bristol who could be benefiting from our advice.
“Another priority is to plug the management skills gap. Employees who are good at their jobs are often promoted to become managers, but they are not always given the skills and tools to get the best out of the staff they will manage. That is often where disputes arise.
“The manager’s role can be complicated with aspects such as an ageing workforce, the ending of the retirement age, the equality laws, and keeping a work-life balance when we live in a 24-7 world. A lot of the work Acas does is to give managers the confidence to tackle all workplace matters and issues.
“Small businesses often believe they do not see a return on investing in training managers. But if managers are properly trained and know how to get the best out of staff, small businesses will find they will produce more and grow.
“Acas is in a unique position in working with a large range of businesses and employees in many ways. Another part of our service helps to settle individuals’ disputes which could otherwise end up in claims to an employment tribunal. We have a lot of success in preventing the costly business of such disputes going to an employment court.
“Together, this package gives us knowledge and insight that can benefit the local economy.”
