Tynesider launches human resources company supporting SMEs

A lifelong Tynesider has set up her own company providing human resources advice and support to small and medium sized businesses in her local area. Born and bred in North Tyneside, Diane Mactavish has lived her whole life in the region, including a 30-year career in HR which has seen her travelling around the UK for work.

Now she has set up The HR Dept Newcastle North and North Tyneside from her base in Whitley Bay, to provide practical, cost effective, outsourced HR services for her local business community.

“When you’re working for national organisations you often feel that your local area isn’t getting the help and support that it needs,” she said. “I wanted to stop traveling around the UK and focus my energy and experience into helping the local businesses in my area. I’ve always loved living here – it’s such a great area with so much to offer and I’ve realised I want to support its prosperity in whatever way I can.

“So I decided I wanted to be part of something that makes the business landscape as profitable as possible for smaller local companies.

“Over the past few years I’ve started to feel like I wanted to do my own thing. I like working hard and striving for the best quality possible, so I’m excited about this opportunity to serve the local business community and eventually grow a team and build my company.”

Diane said becoming immersed in a new sector of the business world was already proving to be a great learning experience, understanding the symbiotic ecosystem of large and smaller companies.

“Just walking around the different parts of my territory – bustling areas like Whitley Bay, Tynemouth and Wallsend, as well as Newcastle itself – you realise how many important small and medium-sized businesses there are that you probably didn’t appreciate before.

“I’m already getting a distinct impression that there’s a significant need out there for good HR. Whether it’s businesses which are wanting to grow, or those which need to employ people for the first time, they’re facing a challenging environment in which it’s difficult to recruit, train and retain staff. If they want to fulfil their dreams then it’s possible to do so, but only with the right people.

“Fortunately many of the HR principles from larger businesses are applicable to smaller companies too. I’m ready to hit the ground running and I’m looking forward to getting involved.”

Diane was born in North Shields and went to primary school in Shiremoor, before attending George Stephenson High School in Killingworth and studying at Northumbria University. Her career has seen her working in HR roles in major call centres, in manufacturing, transport, local government, charity and the civil service, facing consistent issues with individual nuances.

She said that running her own business posed its own challenges: “Being part of a larger organisation is like a safety net, on your own you have to go out into the world and sell yourself. That takes some getting used to. However I’ve been really well supported by The HR Dept, as well as by the local community. I’m feeling really good and really positive.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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