Testimonials
Presented here are some examples of the feedback that MHJ (Walmore) Limited has received from our satisfied clients.
Michelle worked with me on a significant change project at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue to improve the efficiency of all the back office services to the risk critical operational teams. We worked well together through managing key internal stakeholders and delivered a very successful outcome reducing staff numbers through natural wastage and voluntary redundancy, whilst improving service and establishing a sound platform for responding to the demanding financial pressures in public sector funding. Michelle managed to maintain effective relationships with all the parties involved even when dealing with some particularly challenging issues and ensured the I as the Project Sponsor and a member of the Executive Board was informed of all issues and risks .
Andrew McCartney
Assistant Chief Officer
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
I have known Michelle Harvey-Jones for the past six years, having worked with her and her organisation on a number of projects. As founder Director of The Rise Partnership and Chair of the Trustees of The Dove Service I have worked with Michelle on one-to-one coaching activities, management development programmes and employee relations matters and found her to be a clear-thinking, strategic operator.
Michelle has always had a clear vision for people issues, providing my organisation with an energetic, strategic direction. Through strong support to the senior management team, Michelle has played a pivotal role in the successful growth of the organisation.
On a one-to-one level I have always found Michelle receptive to sensitive issues, open to change and willing to take difficult decisions. I have also found her to be direct and unambiguous in her approach. The organisation has clearly benefited from her insight and experience.
On several occasions Michelle and I have debated the merits and benefits of proactive employee relations strategies and I feel she has a hunger for continuous improvement that can be directly applied to the business.
I feel the qualities of insight and clear vision Michelle can bring to an organisation can contribute enormously to the leadership and direction of an organisation.
Paul Deaville
Director,
The Rise Partnership
Forest Voluntary Action Forum are leading a piece of work in Gloucestershire looking at issues relating to the workforce in the voluntary and community sector. They sought to engage an independent HR professional to undertake a series of Employment Health checks with voluntary groups across the county. These included both small groups and some relatively large organisations with diverse management structures, interest areas and ethnic backgrounds. Michelle Harvey-Jones was asked to complete this project and everybody involved in the checks has found Michelle to be professional in her approach, empathetic in her dealings with the groups and thorough in the way the sessions have been conducted and reported. We are really pleased with the outcomes from the work and the positive way Michelle has supported the aims of the project.
Tim Fretter
Director,
Forest Voluntary Action Forum
Michelle’s ability to drop into a site management role in Bristol for a number of weeks, when we lost our HR manager through illness at short notice, persuaded us to look no further when the need arose to lead a site relocation project in the Derby area. Relationships with managers, employees and union reps were comfortably established and objectives met.
David Bainger
HR Director,
Intier Automotive Interiors
Michelle joined QAA on temporary assignment when our Head of HR post was vacant. In a short time with us she was able to kick start a review of our main policies and involve staff and the trade union in the consultation process, make significant progress in resolving areas of dispute between staff and assist senior management in identifying areas for improvement. By tackling a range of outstanding issues it has been possible for our permanent appointment to concentrate on longer term development.
Douglas Blackstock
Head of corporate Services,
QAA
In 2004/2005 Michelle stepped up to the challenge with virtually no notice, along with an associate to co run one of our Certificate in Personnel Practice programs at GLSOCAT.
This is no mean feat, pitching up to a group of individuals from many different companies all with different expectations to deliver a course to a specific assessment criteria with very little time to prepare and that is the easy bit we are discussing – the delivery which comes naturally to Michelle. Alongside her many other private contracts Michelle prepared, delivered and assessed student work for the course resulting in a 100% pass rate and very positive student feedback.
I have also been very fortunate to observe Michelle’s delivery at CIPD branch events, of which she has been involved at committee level. The most recent event of which was a stimulating session on CPD .
Penny Adshead Chartered MCIPD. Associate CMI. BA. PGCE.
Course co-ordinator CIPD and Learning & Development programmes
GLOSCAT Training Partnership
Michelle gave a presentation at my premises to some of our clients on the changes in 2004 to discipline and grievance. Some time afterwards I received an employment tribunal claim from a former employee and Michelle worked with me to deal with the matter. Michelle resolved the issue quickly, for minimal cost with very little hassle. It was much appreciated”
Vaughan Brant
Franchisee,
Pitman Training Centre (Gloucester).
GSL provides outsourcing support to the public and private sector across a variety of disciplines. When we won the contract to provide catering, domestic and portering services to a large NHS trust in East London, we knew we needed some additional HR support short term to enable the project to “go live” in May 2006. We considered a number of options but were approached by Michelle who offered consultancy services during the major change process whilst we undertook due diligence for the TUPE transfer. I worked closely with Michelle on this project and whilst there were a number of hiccups we made sure all the key milestones were met and that the people side of the transfer was a success. I found Michelle to be professional and knowledgeable, with an ability to hold her own in trying and difficult circumstances, she communicates well with people at all levels and many of our new employees found her to be firm but fair in her approach. If the need should arise we would utilise her services again.
Keith Harrison
Director of HR, Business and Public Services
GSL
