Our Work

Case Studies

2020-05-29T13:16:47+01:00

Integrating People Management into Business Strategy

A Digital Marketing Agency approached Pennine HR following a period of rapid growth. They had succeeded in winning business from a number of national companies and, as a result, had significantly increased the size of the team.

2020-05-29T13:16:16+01:00

Root and Branch Review of In-House HR Function

While most of our clients do not have an in-house HR department, Pennine HR also undertake project work for larger organisations whose HR team need extra support. A good example is the work we did for a regional branch of a national charity to help them improve the way they deliver HR within the organisation.

Testimonials

Great Team. We started working with Pennine HR as growth in the business called for us to improve our HR capabilities as well as being compliant with all regulations. With Pennine’s guidance we have introduced a new staff handbook, improved our contract management, created a new starter process and have a new online HR system. Nicola has totally understood our philosophy, our approach to business, which means Nicola has skillfully been able to make HR work for us rather than making the business work for HR, delivering compliance with minimal impact upon our identity.

Pennine HR are a personable group of people who I have always found happy to help – would definitely recommend to any SME.

Red LedgeGraham Lee, Red Ledge

Highly Recommend! As a growing business, the incidences of needing clear, straightforward & trustworthy HR advice is something we weren’t prepared for or possessed the necessary skill set for. Pennine HR advised and assisted my company in putting the right processes in place and now fulfil all our HR needs admirably!

Pennine HR are always at the end of the phone or email to provide the advice & support when we need it. I highly recommend speaking to Steve and his team today!

Eden TelecomRichard Kennedy, Eden Telecom

Professional and friendly. We moved to Pennine HR a few years ago looking for a more personal approach to our HR support. We were not disappointed. As a smaller company HR was becoming a minefield and an administrative burden. Lynn and the rest of the team have allowed us to share this burden so we can focus on what we do best.

Following an initial update to our Employment Contracts and our Employee Handbook, we have also used their services for other HR issues as they arose.

Their regular newsletters and briefing notes keep us up to date with the constant changes in a concise and easy to understand format. These were really appreciated last year with all the changes relating to Covid-19.

The team are always friendly and approachable, and their response times almost immediate.

They give us confidence that going forward we have the continued support of a proactive HR Company who have our best interests at heart. They listen to our concerns and guide us professionally through situations, remaining friendly and approachable throughout.

I would definitely recommend Pennine HR to anyone looking for a personal approach to their HR support.

Spiral LogoLorraine Turner, Company Secretary, Spiral Communications

Outstanding. As a small business we chose to instruct Pennine to guide us through our HR issues. We have not been disappointed. We always find the team professional, friendly, approachable and their advice has offered us the support we were looking for.

Hopscotch Corner LogoHelen Scott, Director , Hopscotch Corner

We have been working with Lynn and her team at Pennine HR for the last 2 years. Lynn expertly took the time to learn and understand our business dynamics and suggest an agreed tailored package, which successfully works in tandem with our business requirement.

They provide an excellent support to our in-house HR function, not only keeping us up to date with any changes in the law but ensuring we as a business, are guided expertly and in a timely manner through any HR situation which may occur, when needed. The whole team are friendly and welcoming – nothing is ever too small or too much trouble.

We have been extremely satisfied with the support we have received and would highly recommend Lynn and her team at Pennine HR.

They are a true asset to our business allowing our business specialists to be experts in their own field but knowing they can rely on the knowledge and reassurance of Pennine HR specialists will provide the professional HR/employment law advice – be it through guidance, reassurance and/or practical advice when required, hands-on or over the telephone. Their regular seminars are an added bonus often reflecting on both topical and general day to day issues which occur within businesses.

Freight Agency LogoJulie Binnington, Business Support Manager, Freight Agency

Barnsley Optical are a family business that has been manufacturing prescription lenses since 1948.  They pride themselves on providing high quality products backed up with great service which results in high levels of customer satisfaction.

Director Steve Graham said “we initially wanted Pennine HR to support us with a specific issue which was causing us some concern.  This was resolved swiftly and professionally, and we were happy to sign up for a retainer package which means all our personnel information is secured in their cloud environment and we have the peace of mind of their specialist support and the end of the phone whenever we need it.”

Barnsley Optical Ltd LogoSteve Graham, Director, Barnsley Optical Ltd

Excellent team! We’ve known Pennine HR since the very start, and after many years of advice when required we recently went onto one of their monthly plans. It’s been brilliant and their support is excellent – the whole team have been helpful along the way.

And more recently, with the Coronavirus and heightened HR needs around this, it’s been so valuable to have both the advice and updates they send as well as feedback for our specific questions.

Split Pixel LogoGreg Smuk & Charlie Herke, Co-Owners, Splitpixel Creative

The best move we’ve ever made! We could not be happier with the service we have received; from the very first minute we contacted Steve when we were in crisis, to the best decision we made to have Pennine and their team as our HR partners.

Nicola and Emma are patient and understanding of our antiquated system and have guided us thoroughly with their knowledge, putting in a system that is compliant and robust.

After so many years of time wasting, trawling through websites trying to decipher what’s real and what isn’t, to now, is a massive relief to our team here.

For a very reasonable monthly fee we can pick up the phone and relax in the knowledge that Pennine HR have our back.

I have no hesitation in recommending them, you will not regret a penny.

Thank you, all of you.

PhoenixDawn Farrugia, Phoenix Pattern & Tool Co

Age UK Tameside has been a customer since we engaged Pennine HR in 2018. The company is our main provider of HR advice and other matters relating to staff personnel and employment matters. Our HR Consultant is Leonie Whittaker, with whom we have developed an excellent, trusting working relationship.

During this time Leonie has undertaken work to improve our Staff contracts, provided Management Training to our Senior Team and supported us to manage restructures, redundancies and difficult issues like grievances and disciplinary hearings.

In addition to this we also receive regular HR bulletins which more recently have helped to guide us through Covid 19 regulations.

All the work Pennine HR have undertaken has been of a high quality and as such we have no hesitation in providing this reference.

Age UK Tameside LogoMarcia Thorpe, CEO, Age UK Tameside

Recently moved to Pennine HR. So pleased we did particularly with the extra complications of Covid 19. Steve and his team have been very responsive and I appreciate their commercial approach to HR. I’ve experienced other suppliers that give you 100 reasons why you can’t do something but no practical solutions. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

ISG Fleet LogoBrett Whittingham, Director, ISG Fleet

Invaluable professional service. Prompt, professional service. All the staff are very polite and helpful at all times and extremely knowledgeable and up to date on all current information, which has been invaluable in the current climate. They are very understanding of the needs of our staff and business, always able to support us and our company when needed. A friendly voice on the end of the phone guiding us through the legal jargon. I can highly recommend.

Knaresborough Engineering LogoDebbie Quick, Finance Manager, Knaresborough Engineering

We have outsourced our HR requirements to Pennine HR for a number of years. Over this time period, we have used them in a multitude of ways from a simple question to more complex issues. Each time our queries have always been answered in a timely manner, whether it be by e-mail, telephone, or video conference.

Recently, we had a serious issue that would test anyone with years of HR experience. Pennine listened to our concerns and guided us through each stage of the problem, ensuring that everything was covered from a legal point of view.

Whilst the issue being dealt with was not of a pleasant nature, we could not have managed it without the knowledge and expertise that Pennine HR offer.

We have always found Pennine to be professional at all times and they have become our go to company for all HR matters and we would not hesitate in recommending them.

Howells Railway Products LogoDavid Roberts, Director, Howells Railway Products

Having grown rapidly over the last two years to a total of 50 staff, HR was becoming an everyday task and, sadly, a distraction from actually getting on with other projects; after speaking with Lynn and Steve initially, I was pleased to sign up for their knowledgeable assistance. Subsequently, long term sickness has been dealt with on-site by Leonie, and Nicola has been available whenever I called for bits of advice. I can thoroughly recommend their services as one of the best investments I have made in time-saving this year!

Patrol Base LogoChris Hartwell, MD , Patrol Base

I am very pleased with the way you handled the long-term absence issue that we were having with an employee. Your approach was very professional and the outcome was satisfactory for all parties.  I am happy to pass on my positive experience of the quality of HR Support provided to us by Pennine HR and I have no hesitation in recommending your services to others.

Staniforths LogoSteve Staniforth, MD, Staniforths (Rawmarsh) LTD

I approached Pennine HR for support me with an issue I had with an employee. After they helped deal with the issue, I engaged them to provide ongoing HR support.

I have been delighted with the results.  They have formalised our HR documentation and procedures and supported my Management team through a number of complex employment issues. Plus, they have implemented a very effective recruitment strategy that has not only reduced our costs, it has provided us with some high calibre staff.

Pennine HR have proven to be very flexible to meet the needs of my business.  They are very knowledgeable in the field of HR and always conduct themselves in a very professional manner.

Simprint LogoCraig Simcock, Director, Simprint

Fantastic. I work for a federation of 30 GP practices that is based in Leeds and we have been with Pennine for 2 years and I cannot praise them enough! Fantastic service, very professional, friendly, approachable, always happy to help and always a very quick turn around with the queries / advice we contact them about. We cannot recommend the team enough and especially Nicola who i have on speed dial and is always so helpful. Thanks guys, keep up the great work

SEL GP GroupCiara Dunne, South East Leeds GP Group

Excellent service with a personal touch. Pennine HR have looked after our HR for over 2 years and nothing is too much trouble. They offer sensible advice relating to HR and other business matters and I like that they get to know your business and you get to know them. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them to other businesses big or small.

Extract IT LogoNeil Edwards, Director, Extract-It

Outstanding HR support. We have used Pennine HR for over two years now, the support and advice we have received has been amazing . The advice we receive is quick, practical and supports us in whatever situation we find ourselves having to deal with. We are able to have support on site for any meetings we may need to have, giving us the re-assurance we are dealing with the situations correctly.

Whenever we need support we know the team are there no matter how silly the question may seem to us, nothing is too small! More recently, with the Coronavirus and heightened HR needs around this, it’s been so valuable to have both the advice and updates they send. All the documentation around furlough etc was provided and tailored for our use.

Knowing Pennine HR are at the end of the phone or email gives me the confidence to deal with our HR issues. A great resource to have for any SME, a big thank you to all the team for their support!

James Robinson LogoVikki Harling, Finance Manager, James Robinson Speciality Ingredients

Excellence from day one. Steve and Leonie at Pennine HR have proved absolutely invaluable from day one of us appointing them as our HR people. Their packages are fantastic value for money and the attention to detail, willingness to assist and experience have been a Godsend throughout the Covid period and beyond.

Go Shread LogoMike Clusky, MD, Go Shred

Having known Lynn for a number of years it was natural for us to look to Pennine HR for support when we became dissatisfied with our incumbent provider.

We have been impressed with the support and service we have received right from the start. They have ensured that all our processes and documentation are in place and our HR support now flows smoothly – helping us keep our employees engaged and staff turnover low.

Lynn and her team keep calm in a crisis and her strategic thinking is imperative for future business planning.

Valerie Holmes Property Lawyer LogoRachel Gough, Valerie Holmes Property Lawyer

Pennine HR have provided support for several years and were our provider when I joined the Union.  They have helped us tremendously over the last 12 months by expertly guiding us through a number of issues including redundancy and an unfair dismissal claim.

We have benefitted greatly from their support with staffing issues and we have seen very positive results in attendance, sickness and performance.

Their experienced, professional and efficient service is second to none.  They are a pleasure to work with and I would 100% recommend them.

South Yorkshire Credit Union LogoJulie Moss, Head of Operations, South Yorkshire Credit Union

With so many remote locations, it’s vital that we have good processes in place to manage our people. Since we appointed Pennine HR in January 2016 they have made a positive difference to our business, running individual training sessions and individual meetings. Their BreatheHR software helps us keep track of employee data, performance reviews, staff absence and holidays. The great thing about Pennine HR is they get things done.

Student Facility Management LogoRachel Withers, MD, Student Facility Management Ltd

Simply the best business support service out there. We’ve worked with Lynn and her team for over 10 years and her support over these years has been outstanding. Lynn has helped implement a strategic approach to our employment and training needs, and has a fair and impartial view when working on HR issues. I strongly recommend Pennine HR to any SME looking for support with their own business needs.

Pressure Tech LogoSteve Yorke-Robinson, MD, Pressure Tech