Julie Core Email and Phone Number

Initially employed as Practice Manager of a dental practice in Kyle of Lochalsh; with no clinical background I successfully managed a team through the coronavirus pandemic and all of the restrictions placed upon dentistry. After deciding to re-locate back to Yorkshire for family reasons, I am now in a group role, supporting four dental practices across the far north of Scotland, mainly remotely but with monthly visits to the practices, I am developing policies and procedures, dealing with general HR matters and taking responsibility for developing the leadership team.

In this role I built a HR department from the ground up, gaining trust from the employees, managers, and senior board to ensure the successful implementation of all standard policies and procedures. I worked hard to develop the management team and influenced a positive change in the culture of the organisation.

I originally joined The Blake Group in November 2013 when I was recruited to set up HR as a function in the business. I implemented personnel & training records, contracts of employment & handbook, HR policies and a system for regular performance reviews. I was particularly proud of attaining the Investors in People award. At the time, I looked after 200 colleagues over three motor dealerships in Chesterfield and Worksop.In May 2007, the company was sold to Vertu Motors, who were a new company with 35 motor dealerships; the strategy was to harmonise the current dealerships and then grow the business. In June 2015, there were 106 dealerships and I had been involved in a wide range of HR activities in a fast paced, rapidly growing business.Initial harmonisation of the 35 dealerships involved a full review of T&C’s, handbooks and policies. I planned and implemented numerous redundancy programmes and assisted colleagues in finding alternative employment.We then went on to rapidly grow the business; I was involved in full TUPE transfers from the first review of due diligence and consultations to the harmonisation of the business post transfer. At the time I left the company, I was responsible for over 30 dealerships from Carlisle to London, around 1700 colleagues. My role was to offer a generalist HR service to the management teams, dealing with reactive issues such as disciplinary & grievance as well as developing strategies to improve the business.I developed and delivered strategies for:• Turnover reduction• Absence Management• Increased productivity • Training on equality, disciplinary, grievance & absence management• Redundancy process guidance and employee supportMy role also involved• Giving individual coaching to managers• HR contact / coach to Directors• Mentoring• Identifying issues & implementing actions to resolveI also developed two members of the team to become HR Managers and supported numerous colleagues in their career progression.