Meet Our Team

Nicola is the co-founder of Birch-HR and the Head of ER. Nicola is an employee relations expert and the Catholic HR education lead. Nicola is a Chartered Member of the CIPD, which recognises people professionals who use their expertise in people and work. Nicola has previously worked as a HR Consultant for several local authorities, including Birmingham City Council and Dudley Council. Nicola leads and delivers the annual HR training programme on behalf of Birmingham Diocesan Education Service and Birmingham Primary Catholic Partnership (BPCP). Nicola is passionate about improving outcomes for the education sector and young people and supporting her clients. Nicola has previously worked in the private sector, including manufacturing and engineering. Nicola is an active campaigner for the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Trust.

Joanne has considerable executive level HR Director and Chief Operating Officer experience within professional football (off-field operations) and recently worked as a Head of HR for a Multi-academy Trust. Joanne is a qualified paralegal. Jo has provided first line HR advice and support to all schools in the Trust, including recruitment, disciplinary, grievance, TUPE, payroll and pensions. Jo has a strong background in solution focussed employee relations and business and project improvement, using this knowledge to support the resolution of casework and policy improvement.

Hollie is an Associate CIPD member, with a sound understanding of what HR within the education sector entails. Having worked within several internal HR teams, Hollie is confident in providing professional advisory, recruitment, and employee relations support to our clients. Hollie has experience of maintaining the integrity of the data held by school’s Single Central Record (SCR) and is knowledgeable about the regulatory requirements surrounding this.

Peter is a final year undergraduate, completing a BA, HRM and marketing degree at Keele University. Peter is part of the Keele empowerment network, challenging gender barriers. As part of the Santander Internship opportunity, Peter has joined Birch-HR to gain HR experience, knowledge and skills as part of a forward thinking HR consultancy team.

Steve is a former Divisional Director of HR with significant strategic and operational HR experience and a proven track-record of success in business transformation, change management, employee relations, workplace investigations and reward management. Steve is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and has notable HR experience in the education, public and private sectors.

Lorraine is an experienced former HR Director for the Law Society of England and Wales and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Lorraine specialises in employee relations, workplace investigations, TUPE, coaching and mentoring. Lorraine has significant HR experience in the education, public and private sectors. Lorraine is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.

Steve is a former HR Director and Head of HR Advisory Services in the public sector. Steve specialises in employee relations, workplace investigations, job evaluation and pay structures. Steve has substantial HR experience in the education, public and private sectors. Steve is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.

Martin is a former Group HR Director and change management consultant that specialises in HR, training and development, NLP, coaching, mentoring interventions, restructures, policy development and workplace investigations through to tribunal. Martin has worked with a wide range of organisations including Acute/Mental Health Trusts, GP federations, CCG’s, local authorities, education Church of England and Birmingham Catholic Diocese. Martin is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and a CIPD Level 5 Lecturer for the South Orbital Colleges (John Ruskin and East Surrey).

An accredited ACAS Employee Mediator, CIPD HR professional and trained Senior Investigating Officer, Brian is a subject matter expert in the effective management of Employee Relations. Utilising his skills, experience, and knowledge from working as a police officer for thirty years, he can proactively identify the root cause of employee(s) problems by conducting proportionate and ethically based HR fact-finding and disciplinary investigations. Where employees are conflicted, Brian performs facilitative mediation to restore effective working relationships.

Brian can also conduct reviews of processes and organisational design to identify the factors contributing to poor and inefficient performance. He is also proficient in providing hands-on case management support in investigations, disciplinary matters, absenteeism, capability, and grievance matters.

Mary has extensive experience and a track record in delivering diverse learning and development programmes and executive level coaching and mentoring to support businesses, charities and leaders to maximise performance of their teams. Mary helps leaders access funding to support training.  Mary’s most recent work achievements include the successful delivery of the volunteer programme for the European Professional Rugby Cup finals. Mary has over 30-years’ experience working in finance and HR roles and has been a member of the CIPD for over 20-years. Mary is passionate about supporting the local community and has been a Governor.

Lisa is a professional HR, Learning and Development and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) consultant and coach, with experience in the public, charity, education and private sectors. She has experience working in strategic and operational roles, driving organisational change, increasing inclusion, shifting cultures and influencing at senior and board level. Lisa is passionate about supporting leaders to create agile, inclusive and value-led organisations and cultures through attracting, developing and leading diverse talent. Lisa is a chartered member of the CIPD.

Birch-HR is supported by finance, IT and other support professionals.