I formed GAP HR Services with the express aim of helping SMEs, supporting employers' rights in the somewhat hostile legislative arena, by offering qualified HR consultancy support on an outsourcing basis to smaller companies that do not require a full- or part-time HR Manager.
I have been active in European Human Resources for the last fourteen years.
I started as a headhunter in Germany for software and telecommunications but found the relentless financial pressure totally ignored my clients requirements to get the right person on board.
Happily I was headhunted myself to work for my favourite client at the time, Sita-Equant, doing their in-house recruitment for Central and Eastern Europe, which meant I was now the one negotiating with agencies!
Since coming back to the UK in 2001, I have had experience of SMEs in the media, retail, building, travel and technology sectors.
My clients are at all stages in their lifecycles, from start-ups and dot coms to companies over 100 years old!
My experience in dealing with SMEs and international recruitment means that I am able to quickly appreciate the details of your company‘s requirements, offering an innovative approach to solving your staff problems.
My favourite part of the business is when I have helped a client who was in real difficulty with a situation, through no fault of their own, and we have found a solution that means that the employer and employee are happy and the relationship continues.
I also love thinking of new ways to make the knowledge of Employment Law accessible to small companies so that everyone can get the basics right and move on to better things!
Personal
Outside of work I am District Commissioner for Goring District and used to run Rainbows, now running Brownies. Since starting Brownies myself at 7, I have only had one break from Guiding (when I was at university) and I really relish organising activities for the girls to enjoy and hopefully learn something from.
There is nothing more rewarding or satisfying than spending the evening doing, for example, knots, and at the end seeing a girl's face light up with understanding and having the ability to tie reef knots, clove hitches, etc by herself!
The best bit of Guiding is definitely camping, which I had the opportunity to do this year - the first time for ten years! Wonderful time! This feeling is why, even after so many years, I am passionate about making Guiding available to as many girls as possible.
The rest of my time is taken up by my children Frances (also a Brownie) and Christopher (will be a Beaver), husband Jost (the German connection) and normal everyday life!
The Future
My dream at the moment is to find an apartment to sublet in Munich, Germany so that we can spend next year's school summer holidays living in the beautiful city (without paying extortionate hotel prices), visit the tourist spots like Neuschwanstein (the Chitty Bang Bang castle) and stay with relatives and friends over there without loads of fuss.
I love living in a big city, particularly in Germany, due to the bike lanes, public transport, everything being on your doorstep, the vibrancy of life (cities never sleeping), but quite like the quietness of the village for everyday life - at the moment!
So now you know more about me, check out the packages that I offer to support employers' rights and request my free report!