Sunderland businesswoman celebrates record growth with six-year-strong digital venture

A local HR agency is setting its sights on further growth after a record year to date.

Sunderland Software Centre-based Oculus HR provides bespoke human resources help to UK firms, and was founded in 2013 by managing director Louise Kennedy.

She has since developed the firm to help clients across the UK and internationally, and has employed three members of staff and chartered year-on-year growth.

Louise said: “Staff are the most important part of any business, so it made sense to take what I had learned over a decade working in such high-pressure industries and to use it to develop and embed good practice in other companies and industries.

“Oculus provides a comprehensive suite of HR solutions. Whether it’s developing new contracts or terms of employment, to handling disciplinary proceedings or working with a business to create its vision and values - we can deliver it.”

Oculus recorded a rise in turnover of 50 per cent in 2018. Over the next 12 months, Louise is aiming to recruit a new HR assistant as well as continuing to increase revenues.

The company is also looking to expand into a new, larger office at Sunderland Software Centre to cater for its continued growth.

She added: “It has been another fantastic year for Oculus and we couldn’t be happier with the direction the company is heading in.

“Not only have we recorded a rise in revenue, we’ve also welcomed new clients on board and have continued to expand our service offering.

“We’re also on the lookout for a new HR assistant to join the team as part of this growth and are expecting the business to continue growing over the next 12 months. It’s so exciting for everyone associated with the company.”

Oculus HR started life at the Evolve Business Centre in Houghton-le-Spring, in 2013, before moving to larger premises at Sunderland Software Centre in 2018.