Sittingbourne, England, United Kingdom
HR & Employee Relations specialist with a track record of tackling complex people challenges head-on. I specialise in solving high-risk ER cases, workplace investigations, and HR strategy challenges in both the public and private sectors. From coaching leaders through difficult decisions to shaping proactive strategies that prevent workplace issues, I believe in straight-talking, pragmatic HR that balances business needs with people outcomes. With experience in construction, healthcare, and large-scale organisations, I’m used to fast-paced, high-pressure environments where clear decision-making and risk management are critical. I thrive in roles where ER expertise, leadership coaching, and strategic HR thinking come together to make workplaces better.
Brought in on an interim basis to maintain consistency of service and continuity while the People Team underwent a short period of transition. My focus was on directly supporting Store Managers, Concession Managers, and Regional Managers across front-facing Mamas & Papas stores. Providing expert guidance on complex ER issues and coaching stored based management to have confident, skilled leadership on the ground. Key Deliverables during this term were: 🔹️Provided end-to-end case management support on disciplinaries, grievances, short & long-term absence, and performance cases, ensuring process, pace, and people were all carefully balanced. 🔹️Led on the development and implementation of a Neonatal Care & Leave Policy, ensuring the business continues to provide an exceptional family support offering for colleagues, exceeding the legal requirements introduced by the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, which came into effect in April 2025. 🔹️Updated and relaunched the Sickness Management Policy, with additional supportive guidance and templates, to introduce a more supportive, robust but practical process for a variety of sickness absence types, including short term, long term and medical capability, balancing absence prevention with person-centred conversations. 🔹️Delivered training on preventing sexual harassment to managers as part of the organisation’s proactive response to the Worker Protection Act, ensuring leadership accountability and confidence. 🔹️Reviewed ER templates and guidance documents, recommending updates to improve clarity and reduce risk. 🔹️Coached and supported store-based and regional managers to feel more confident in tackling ER issues early and effectively.
Working within a national, multi-site organisation, I provided specialist Employee Relations expertise in a fast-paced, high-risk industry, supporting the business with complex case management, policy development, and leadership coaching. My role involved balancing practical risk management with people-focused solutions, ensuring that ER processes were both robust and commercially effective. Key Responsibilities & Contributions: 🔹 Supported the business in preparing for the Worker Protection Act, contributing to prevention strategies for workplace harassment. 🔹 Co-developed and delivered workplace investigation training, helping managers and HR colleagues navigate ER processes more confidently. 🔹 Designed and implemented a bullying & harassment e-learning programme, ensuring proactive education across the organisation. 🔹 Developed a case tracker to enhance ER case visibility and improve process efficiency. 🔹 Managed a varied and complex ER caseload in the construction industry.. 🔹 Gained valuable private sector experience, building on my ER expertise in a commercial business setting. 🔹 Worked within a national organisation, supporting sites across the UK while developing an understanding of regional and international ER considerations.
Led the Employee Relations function within a large NHS Trust, ensuring compliance with organisational policy, NHS Terms & Conditions (AfC), and employment law while managing high-risk, complex ER cases, including MHPS (Maintaining High Professional Standards). Key Responsibilities & Achievements: 🔹 Led the ER function, managing high-risk cases and providing strategic ER advice to senior leadership, legal teams, and external bodies. 🔹 Managed a 10-person ER team and a 4-person Workforce Investigations team, providing coaching and professional development to enhance ER capability across the Trust. 🔹 Shaped ER strategy and risk mitigation as a Senior Leadership Team member, reporting to Deputy Director level. 🔹 Procured, implemented, and embedded a Case Management System, introducing structured case tracking, governance, and compliance reporting through a formal procurement process. 🔹 Procured and launched a new Occupational Health provider, improving service efficiency, accessibility, and employee experience. 🔹 Established an in-house HR investigations service, ensuring efficient, consistent, and fair case management while reducing reliance on external investigators. 🔹 Contracted an external provider to launch an internal mediation training programme, securing accredited mediators across the organisation as a cost-saving initiative. 🔹 Reviewed, updated, and republished all People policies and procedures, consolidating them into a single Employee Handbook for ease of access and consistency. 🔹 Led organisational change initiatives, including TUPE, restructures, and redundancies, ensuring compliance, risk management, and employee experience were prioritised. 🔹 Handled ACAS conciliations and prepared tribunal packs for solicitors, maintaining an undefeated Employment Tribunal (ET) case record.
Provided specialist Employee Relations support within a large NHS Trust, managing complex casework, workforce planning, and organisational change while leading a subset of the ER team. Worked closely with senior HR leaders, divisional management, and trade unions to ensure fair, effective, and compliant ER processes. Played a key role in the Covid-19 command team, developing rapid workforce solutions during the pandemic. Key Responsibilities & Achievements: 🔹 Led a team of 3 Senior HR Advisors and administrative staff, embedding consistent ER practices and resolving cases within a 6-week KPI window. 🔹 Managed complex ER cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, bullying & harassment, capability, MHPS, and absence management, coaching managers and promoting an Early Resolution culture. 🔹 Supported workforce planning, assisting divisional managers in developing business plans aligned with Trust objectives. 🔹 Prepared ET1 responses and reviewed Employment Tribunal outcomes, ensuring lessons learned were shared across teams. 🔹 Analysed staff survey data, devising action plans to enhance engagement and retention. 🔹 Produced HR KPIs and workforce reports, providing strategic workforce insights at divisional meetings. 🔹 Worked with trade unions, fostering early dispute resolution and problem-solving. 🔹 Led organisational change consultations, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and clear communication. Covid-19 Response & Crisis Management: 🔹 Provided HR support during the Covid-19 pandemic, working with the command team on rapid workforce solutions. 🔹 Established Employee Risk Assessments, ensuring staff safety and compliance. 🔹 Developed Redeployment Strategies, mitigating staffing shortages and ensuring service continuity. 🔹 Supported urgent workforce responses, including postponing elective procedures and expanding ICU capacity. 🔹 Worked with the EPRR team, ensuring compliance with emergency workforce planning.