Meet Our Team

Mark is a Chartered MCIPD and Diploma in Management Studies Senior HR Executive Director of HR with excellent knowledge of employment and payroll legislation specifically in the higher education sector. Experience of leading on trade union consultation, advising on complex Employee Relations (ER) matters, HR and People strategy, policy, change management, TUPE, and best practice. A lead in a number of OFSTED inspections, audit processes, employer initiatives, recruitment, leadership and management, Health and Safety, IIP accreditation and CPD frameworks.

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.

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 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).

Marie provides a responsive and independent review of evidence to ensure investigations are dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively.  Marie is Professionally Investigation Programme (PIP) 2 accredited and qualified in Further Education (FE) teaching and facilitating training.  With a wealth of knowledge and skills, following a 32-year police career supporting investigations and instilling organisation and public confidence in a compliant independent investigation process.

Marie is a subject matter expert in the field of safeguarding, statutory multi-agency meetings, speaking to witnesses, gathering relevant facts, writing evidence-based reports for serious case reviews and investigations. This includes presenting reports to the Commissioning Officer and at stakeholder meetings, hearings, tribunals and proceedings in line with regulatory conduct requirements and relevant procedures.

Marie is a strong pragmatic people professional, with in-depth experience of working with trade unions, public and business sectors and with previous involvement in high profile allegations and investigations.

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.

With over twenty years of local government experience within the education sector, Ellen has extensive knowledge of recruitment and pre-employment practices within schools. She has successfully worked with more than 300 schools over 10 years to ensure recruitment and Single Central Record compliance with Ofsted, Home Office and Audit. Ellen has been a qualified workplace Mediator since 2001, working with various types of employees, from senior leaders to administration. Ellen complies with the European Code of Conduct for Mediators.

Pam is a former Head of HR in the education sector with experience working both strategically and operationally to support senior leadership teams to develop and drive a high-performance culture, increased engagement, wellbeing, developing frameworks for schools to attract and retain the best talent. Pam has extensive knowledge of UK employment law and has supported change programmes, training delivery, managed complex Employee Relations (ER) casework, coaching and mentoring staff and providing opportunities for reflection and learning.

Birch-HR are delighted that another highly experienced and skilled HR professional has joined our talented associate HR Consultancy team. Liz is a Chartered member of the CIPD and has a significant HR career (28years+) in the corporate sector, such as retail and banking, as well as experience of the public (including local authorities/police), Ofqual, engineering and education sectors.

Dermot approached Birch-HR due to shared values of integrity and professionalism in delivering independent workplace investigation support. With extensive experience as an Inspectorate Commissioner, RSPCA Chief Inspector, and leader in policy and union negotiations, Dermot now assists clients with disciplinary, grievance, whistleblowing, and complaint investigations.

Birch-HR recently chaired a disciplinary panel for an executive to ensure an impartial outcome and mitigate risks. Dermot can also attend hearings, present reports, and handle varied participant responses. Birch-HR promotes early mediation and leadership training to enhance workplace relations. In a recent case, they analysed an 85-page complaint response, helping the organisation address leadership and personnel issues.