Member Article

Launch of Unique HR Consultancy for the Humber

Four HR specialists have joined forces to form the North’s first ever consultancy combining HR recruitment with outsourced HR services.

The brainchild of Hull and East Yorkshire-based HR recruitment expert Kate van der Sluis, she says ‘old school’ recruitment agencies are out-of-date. Instead, their Associate model combines the recruitment of HR people (full-time, part-time and freelance) with specialist HR services all under one roof, including consultancy for leadership development and executive coaching, employee engagement and talent development.

Kate, Managing Partner at Humber HR People, said more and more businesses are asking for this type of service and, perhaps surprisingly, it hasn’t been on offer before.

“With the Humber region being the 11th worst in the country for productivity we aim to help solve this dire situation. HR is fundamentally linked to productivity. If your people are happy your bottom line will go up”

Kate is joined by Kellie Calvert, Associate Director of HR, Alice Ackroyd, Associate Director of Leadership Development and Sharleen Lawless, Associate Director of Talent. Proud to be female leaders, they have 80 years of combined experience.

Kate van der Sluis continued:

“Humber HR People is the Humber’s only specialist HR recruitment firm dedicated to recruiting exclusively within the profession. We are based in Hull City Centre and work with organisations on both the North and South bank of the Humber, particularly within Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing. Often these businesses have ground breaking expertise in their fields but need support with people as they grow – which is where we come in, from one-off projects, a few days a month or a few days a week. As your business grows we help you identify what HR support you might need to employ and recruit the right person, too. “

In 2018, 72% of UK businesses struggled to find the right candidates. The idea for Humber HR People came from over 18 years of interviewing disgruntled employees and understanding why they leave. Kate also wanted more flexibility for herself, believing that people don’t have to work in an office 9-5 anymore.

“It has been a privilege to work in the Humber region for the last 10 years, a place I’m proud to call home. I’ve seen first hand that the expertise it takes to develop people isn’t always accessible and often ends up taking a back seat. Of course, employing people is expensive - the biggest cost in any business is the monthly pay bill. Humber HR People supports organisations to attract, recruit, engage and develop their most valuable asset.

“I’ve seen business owners struggle to find the right HR consultant, Interim Support or Freelancer. Our model ensures that you are matched to someone on your wavelength. And each of us has our own field of HR expertise, from employee relations, law and engagement to learning and development, which means that you are getting in-depth advice.”

Meanwhile, the new company has been welcomed by other local businesses.

Antonio Tombanane, Operations Director at Hull-based GB Recruitment said:

“To have a team of experts in HR in different business sectors is rare, if not impossible, to find. We’re thrilled with the launch of Humber HR People. We know them all individually and their work ethic and professionalism is second to none. It’s just the type of agency we, in the Humber, need.”

Jo Fleming, CEO of award-winning Yorkshire Staffing Services, said:

“It is refreshing and reassuring to see a company like Humber HR People. Kate is a real advocate of employee retention and engagement, and a champion of best practice. She has managed to identify a real need for this service and developed a business that will help any sized company with its HR needs. Companies are discovering more and more the importance of hiring & retaining top talent. Being a recruiter myself, I see the difficulties we and our clients face if this process is mismanaged - a process that Humber HR People are well experienced to manage. “

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Fiona Dwyer .