Deborah Estensen (Wright)
Sandbach,Cheshire
Summary
Dynamic people partner with extensive experience across various areas of human resources. Proven strengths in strategic business partnering and talent management, facilitating effective collaboration with line managers and stakeholders to enhance performance. Successfully delivers robust talent pipelines that align with rapid business transformation needs. Builds strong relationships by understanding commercial and operational imperatives to drive a cohesive people agenda.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
People Partner
Marks & Spencer
Nationwide
01.2025 - 05.2026
- Business partnered a retail Division alongside the Central Store Operations Team
- Supported leadership in developing a robust talent pipeline.
- Managed resources efficiently within business cost parameters.
- Collaborated with employee representatives to boost engagement despite business changes.
- Assisted line managers with employee relations activities alongside business legal team.
- Supported performance management solutions for colleagues not meeting standards.
- Facilitated communication between line managers and legal team to enhance HR processes.
- Ensured performance alignment with fast-paced business transformation expectations to drive organisational success.
Head of Line Manager Advisory Service
Marks & Spencer
Manchester
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Directed a team of policy experts to support line managers across the breadth of the organisation.
- Modernised service and team to facilitate significant business transformation with bold and innovative advice.
- Align business solutions with strategic objectives to enhance operational efficiency.
- Guided line managers in maintaining compliance with employment legislation to mitigate business risk in people decisions.
- Ensure brand of M&S remains central in all customer interactions.
- Collaborated with employment relations and legal teams to ensure representation of complex cases and tribunals in accordance with brand standards.
- Managed ex-gratia budget for business through strategic consultations with people partners to ensure effective expenditure decisions.
- Analysed reports of claims, payments and settlements to validate compliance with terms of policy or procedure.
- Spearheaded business-wide implementation of new policies and policy updates to facilitate effective change management.
Regional People Partner (various)
Marks & Spencer
London
09.1998 - 01.2024
Relief Head of People (South Division)
Marks & Spencer
South
09.2022 - 05.2023
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Personnel Development
CIPD
Remote2012
Master of Arts - Public Administration
Nottingham trent University
Nottingham1996
Skills
- Strategic Business Partnering
- Talent management
- Business transformation
- Employment policy review and implementation
- Operational efficiency
- People Management
- Staff recruitment and headhunting
- Arbitrating disputes
- Caseload management
- Workforce planning
- Employee relations
- Policy writing
- Performance management
A little About me
- A mum of two teenage boys, recently having made a huge life move after 29 years living and working in West London to the North West, This has allowed me to ensure quality tine with my elderly father who has dementia, I am seeking the opportunity that allows me to carve the right balance for me and my team of boys!
Timeline
People Partner
Marks & Spencer
01.2025 - 05.2026
Head of Line Manager Advisory Service
Marks & Spencer
01.2024 - 01.2025
Relief Head of People (South Division)
Marks & Spencer
09.2022 - 05.2023
Regional People Partner (various)
Marks & Spencer
09.1998 - 01.2024
Certificate of Higher Education - Personnel Development
CIPD
Master of Arts - Public Administration
Nottingham trent University