Financial Services - Where it all began

I began my HR career in 1999 with Abbey International (now Santander), joining the organisation’s compliance project ahead of the introduction of the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003. As part of this work, I developed the organisation’s first staff handbook and also provided advice and guidance to managers and employees on HR policy, procedures and employment matters - the foundations of my generalist experience.

Government of Jersey - Developing specialist employee relations expertise

Moving into employee relations allowed me to develop specialist expertise in complex casework, industrial relations and employment law. I worked closely with managers, HR colleagues and trade union representatives, supporting pay negotiations, arbitration and the management of terms and conditions across more than 20 different pay groups, including nurses, teachers, civil servants, firefighters and prison officers.

During this time, I also reviewed and amended terms and conditions to ensure they aligned with the introduction of the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003, further strengthening my understanding of employment legislation and its practical application.

Health & Social Services - HR in a 24/7 environment

Working within Jersey's largest Government department broadened my generalist HR experience in a complex, fast-paced operational environment. Initially appointed as an HR Manager, I advised on the full range of employment matters before moving into the role of Medical Staffing Manager, specialising in HR support for consultants, middle grade and junior doctors.

A key project involved leading the procurement of specialist software to support medical rota design and monitor junior doctors' working hours, helping ensure compliance with the European Working Time Directive while achieving the most cost-effective approach to on-call arrangements.

Education, Sport & Culture - my most rewarding generalist role

This remains one of the most enjoyable roles of my career. I loved working here. Supporting a cluster of 11 primary and secondary schools, I worked closely with head teachers and senior leaders on all HR matters. Responsible for the delivery of a project to research and implement a Safer Recruitment policy and procedure, and the design and roll out of training to all head teachers, deputy head teachers, recruiting line managers and admin staff involved with recruitment.

Also, following the transfer of lunch time supervision duties from teachers, I delivered a large-scale recruitment project to appoint and skill more than 150 lunch time supervisors to work across Jersey’s primary and secondary schools - ensuring they received appropriate training in safeguarding and playground management. I sourced a specialist trainer from the UK - Shirley Rose. The day I picked her up from the airport, I was 34 weeks pregnant, my waters broke - and my middle son decided it was time to arrive!

Highlands College - Supporting cultural change

I joined Highlands College for an academic year here as HR Business Partner and a member of the Senior Leadership Team, supporting the College through a period of cultural change.

People Services - Strategic HR that made a difference

The role where I felt I had the greatest strategic impact. Working with a high degree of autonomy, I was responsible for the development of an overarching policy framework to deliver one of the four key pillars of the People Strategy, and subsequently implemented a suite of HR policies to enhance the employee value proposition and support organisational and cultural change. I also led the implementation of the HR Lounge Report recommendations on bullying and harassment in the workplace. Recognising that successful implementation depends on manager understanding, I personally delivered (face-to-face) briefing sessions to more than 900 line managers, with audiences ranging from 15 to 100 attendees.

High Tide HR Consultancy

Founding High Tide HR Consultancy gave me the opportunity to bring together everything I'd learnt throughout my career and focus on the areas I'm most passionate about.

1. Establishing the Essential Foundations for Businesses - developing culture-first HR policies and employee handbooks for employers.

2. Avoiding the Implementation Gap - delivering training in people management skills to help shape a positive workplace culture.

3. Providing HR capacity - providing additional HR expertise and support when businesses need it.

4. Workplace Investigations - undertaking fair, objective and independent workplace investigations.

5. Taking Safer Recruitment Seriously - continuing to spread the word about this vital strand of safeguarding through the specialist training I deliver.

My aim is simple - to help organisations build positive workplace cultures through practical, people-centred HR