Professor Simon Biggs
I can highly recommend Nigel Waugh as a skilled and experienced HR professional. As Chief People Officer at the University of Western Australia, Nigel demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision in transforming our People and Culture framework. His ability to design and deliver a comprehensive People and Culture strategy significantly reduced costs and reshaped the University’s operating model to align with our long-term goals.
As a trusted advisor to the Board, numerous Vice-Chancellors as well as me and others on the Executive Team, Nigel provided clear and insightful guidance on the critical people issues facing the University. He led a highly skilled HR team with precision, ensuring the seamless implementation of our People and Culture strategy and delivering outstanding support to management across the institution.
One of Nigel’s standout achievements was his exemplary leadership during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He adeptly managed the transition of 5,000 employees to remote work and back again, while negotiating impactful changes to our enterprise agreements. These efforts resulted in a $6 million reduction in labour costs through innovative strategies such as a hiring freeze, a purchased leave scheme, and enhanced flexible working practices.
His expertise also extended to the recruitment of senior executives, including the new Vice-Chancellor, where his meticulous approach ensured the appointment of exceptional leaders. Furthermore, his leadership of major structural reforms—including a streamlined Executive team—led to improved decision-making and operational efficiencies across the University.
I would not hesitate to recommend Waugh HR to any organization seeking practical, creative and trusted HR support and advice. His contributions left a lasting impact on the University of Western Australia.
Teresa Tjia
Partnering with Waugh HR was a game-changer for VTAC Ltd. Navigating the transition from being part of a large university to an independent company required a fresh, strategic approach to HR, industrial relations and governance. Waugh HR brought a depth of expertise, strategic insight and a pragmatic approach to help us establish a new enterprise agreement that is modern, sustainable and aligned with industry standards.
With their knowledge of enterprise bargaining law and Fair Work Commission processes, Waugh HR guided us through complex negotiations with confidence. Their principles-based negotiation strategy enabled VTAC Ltd to work effectively with multiple stakeholders, including our Board, staff, and unions. Waugh HR’s ability to engage constructively with unions and maintain positive relationships throughout the negotiation process was invaluable in reaching an agreement that balanced organisational priorities with employee needs. The result was a streamlined enterprise agreement that simplified provisions, ensured fairness for employees, and maintained VTAC Ltd’s financial sustainability. Their expertise in benchmarking employment conditions against industry norms was instrumental in achieving a balanced outcome—reducing employment costs while offering competitive salaries.
Beyond industrial relations, Waugh HR provided expert guidance on governance and compliance, ensuring that our HR policies and procedures were not only fit for purpose but also aligned with legislative requirements. Their ability to manage diverse internal and external stakeholders with professionalism and strategic foresight made a significant impact on the success of our transition.
I highly recommend Waugh HR to any business or institution seeking expert HR support that is practical, creative, results-driven and tailored to the complexities of organisational change.