Local HR support for local businesses
We support local businesses and charities so that we can get to know you and your business thoroughly and build a long term, professional partnership. This also means we can provide HR advice and support that is not only legally compliant but fits your business and how you like to work.
Being local also means we can come to see you when you'd prefer a face to face conversation about a thorny HR issue, challenging restructure, an urgent complex case, manager training or simply support you at interviews or at a tricky employee meeting. We are equally happy to provide support via video call if you prefer and many of our clients now use a blended approach to suit the support needed at the time. This also means we have been able to support clients further afield in the UK, even completing complex investigations remotely via video call.
We pride ourselves on explaining the requirements of employment law, and what you need to do, in simple, practical ways so that you feel confident you're doing the right thing. But it's not always about the law - and what can really make a difference to your business are the new ideas and approaches we can bring to engaging and managing the people who work for you.
Our Director
Natalie Crates is the Director of New Forest HR and provides most of the consultancy services offered. Natalie is an experienced HR professional with over 20 years experience in the HR and development field. She has worked across the public, private and third sector from micro start-ups to large organisations, including those with union representation. Clients also cover an exciting variety of fields including IT-tech, engineering, manufacturing, medical and care, building and maintenance, professional services, creative industries, catering, charities and education. Her experience has been gained in a variety of roles including most recently as external HR Consultant but also internal roles in senior teams, regional HR advice, HR policy development, recruitment, project, team and change management, and HR skills and manager training.
Natalie has a Postgraduate CIPD Diploma in Personnel and Development and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD.
...and when she's not working Natalie loves enjoying the outdoors and nature - walking, cycling, wild swimming, baking, growing fruit and veg, sundowners at the local pub and travelling.
Other HR Associates
Occassionally, New Forest HR will use equally qualified and trusted associates to support its clients. Natalie will introduce any associates to you and ensure you are happy for them to support you. They will of course be given a full briefing on your company and any information they need so that they can continue to provide the support you need and expect.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
New Forest HR always aims to provide legally compliant advice and ensure its clients' HR practice is compliant, follows relevant ACAS Codes of Conduct and incorporates relevant industry good practice. However, for additional peace of mind we do have professional indemnity insurance, which means that if you incur any costs as a result of our advice or practice you will be able to recoup your costs from us.
Some companies prefer to have insurance which covers any Employment Tribunal Costs and Awards. Some HR Consultants and companies include this in their packages, but this increases the cost of support packages hugely and is rarely required. New Forest HR prefers to keep your costs low and not inflate the cost of this insurance cover, called Employment Practice Liability Insurance, by including it in a package. If you are interested in this type of insurance it is available from a number of reputable providers at far lower rates than you'll get through an HR provider or Employment Law Firm. We cannot sell or recommend any particular insurer, but to get an idea of the relatively low cost of such insurance you can get an instant quote for Employment Practice Liability Insurance via the following website: http://www.employmentpracticeinsurance.co.uk/
New Forest HR is a trading name of Registered Company Croft Life Ltd. Company no. 07874203 (England and Wales)