London 2012 appoints Jean Tomlin as Human Resources Director

Her remit is to recruit a team which has the great spirit created by the winning Bid team, and to recruit staff to make the London Organising Committee a world class delivery organisation. She will also be in charge of the volunteer recruitment programme. She will be reporting to the Chief Executive Paul Deighton.

London 2012 currently has a staff of approximately 80 people which will increase to 3,000 in the run-up to 2012.

"This is a crucial position within the London 2012 team" said Chief Executive Paul Deighton. "We need to attract and retain the best people for London 2012 to deliver the best Games ever, and Jean will make that happen. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents London's community."

"This is a thrilling appointment for me" said Jean. "The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is the most exciting project around and I look forward to putting in place a world class team across a range of specialities to deliver a spectacular London Games."

Jean is currently an advisor to the BBC on their programme of change. Formerly, she was Group HR Director at Marks & Spencer plc, with a remit to transform the HR and to enhance the contribution the function made to the business agenda. Before that, she was a founder member and HR Director of Egg plc, having previously worked for 14 years at the Prudential where she managed large change programmes and became Sales and Operations Director of Prudential Direct. She had a classic foundation to her career as a graduate trainee at Ford, starting in personnel, training and labour relations.

Jean has held a number of non-executive roles, including membership of the Greenwich Healthcare Trust Board, the Student Loans Company Board, the Qualifications and Curriculum Advisory Board, and the Race Relations Advisory Group. Until recently she was a Commissioner for Judicial Appointments.

She is currently a Trustee of the CIDA Foundation, a South African University, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) Enterprise Board. She is a Companion of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Jean is married and has two children and lives in Kensington. She has lived in London all her life. She will take up her position in August.

Jean takes over the position from Vivienne Jarvis who returns to her executive coaching consultancy. London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe paid tribute to Viv's huge contribution to London 2012. Commenting on her role, Seb said: "Viv started three years ago and helped build the Bid team from scratch. She has worked tirelessly throughout this three year period with Keith Mills and myself on putting together a winning Bid team and laying the foundations for the London Organising Committee. I would like to wish Viv all the best for the future as she returns to her consultancy which she put on hold to get us off to a flying start."

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Notes to editors: For further information contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Photos of Jean are available on request.