I graduated in Chemistry and Food Science, a far cry from the role of HR Consultant that I now hold. I spent my first 5 years of employment with Nestlé in a variety of roles ranging from Quality Systems Auditor, Technical Legislation Assistant, Production Team Leader to Supply Chain Executive, then moved on to become a Management Consultant for a niche Consultancy specialising in HR. I am a competent trainer and facilitator. In 2001 I jointly set up Blue Apple HR Solutions Ltd to provide an outsourced HR consultancy service to SMEs. Initially focusing on clients in South Wales, the company grew to take on clients across Wales and in Birmingham, London, Bath and Oxfordshire. In December 2006 I joined forces with Darwin Gray to set up the HR Consultancy department, such that a holistic HR and employment law advice service could be provided to clients through one point of contact. My work includes carrying out disciplinary and grievance investigations / hearings, advising on sickness absence and capability, drafting policies, procedures, handbooks and letters, undertaking pay reviews and consultations on redundancies and transfers of undertakings. I am flexible in the way I works with clients, depending on how hands-on they want me to be. Typically I work in one of three ways: on a fixed fee monthly retainer acting as a full outsourced HR function; on a project by project basis e.g. to conduct a disciplinary hearing; or simply on an ad hoc basis dealing with queries as they arise. I work closely with the team of employment lawyers and also manage Darwin Gray’s internal HR function.

I joined Nestle on their graduate training programme as a Science & Technical graduate. I spent 2 years working at Head Office and various factories in a variety of roles, then became Quality Systems Auditor for the 2 Lyons Maid ice cream factories and finally Supply Chain Executive looking after Sarsons and Dufrais vinegars, Sunpat peanut butter and Buitoni pasta. I left Nestle to live and work in Australia, undertaking a 3 month role in Nestle Australia's Customer Service team just outside Sydney.