We were introduced to Sue Ferguson and Options HR by Jacqueline North who had been a valued advisor to our business for some time. We needed urgent technical HR advice which we did not have in-house and needed help to source.

The business needed robust legal HR advice on restructuring the business ? closing a division which had been trading for 18 years ? whilst making sure the rest of the business continued, grew and maintained morale.

In conjunction with others in the team, Sue planned the whole process to ensure the smooth continuation of the remaining business and, critically, provided the legal advice and framework to carry through the re-structuring and consequent staff redundancies.

Sue helped us to navigate a potentially very painful and difficult period with such success that the colleagues who had left the business – as a result of having been fairly treated – were prepared and happy to come back and join the staff Christmas party.

Before and after this major (for us, potentially business-threatening) project, Sue has provided clear, concise advice and on-site personal intervention with issues ranging from review of staff handbook, briefings on interview protocol, retirement rules and counselling. She has the respect and trust of our staff and team leaders and I am very, very pleased to have her as a trusted advisor.

We are a growing consultancy business that required an experienced HR professional to undertake a recruitment assignment for us as an out-sourced project. We met with Theresa from Options HR and she easily and seamlessly immersed herself into understanding our business and our recruitment needs ? in essence she became part of our team in order to recruit the right person for the business and relieved us of the time consuming process of recruitment. Her professional and thorough approach to interviewing and assessment in order to identify the right person with the right skills and abilities for us was first rate and we highly recommend her services and consultancy approach to businesses who require recruitment expertise.

Options HR was recommended to us because we wanted to build a personal relationship with the company handling our HR and deal with the same person. We wanted someone who could relate to our business and not just a help line. HR is an area in the company in which we have a serious lack of expertise and as a growing company (currently with 120 employees) we understand the importance of a proper employee/employer relationship and required professional guidance and advice to help us. The construction industry has undergone a huge transition from self employment to employment. This area was something new to us all and required careful handling to ensure a smooth transition.

Options HR put in place employment contracts for all our site staff and introduced an employment handbook and policies and procedures appropriate to our business. They helped us to develop our staff through appraisals, gain Investors in People recognition and maintain regular communications through newsletters. As a result of these actions the people who work for us feel more secure and respectful towards senior management. Since this people have proved their loyalty to our business and appreciate that we consider any problems that arise in a fair and meaningful way. Rob Rexton MD Agetur (UK) Limited.