Leah Callaghan
Shifnal,SHR
Summary
Seasoned HR leader with over 25 years of experience in driving organisational transformation, optimising workforce efficiency, and enhancing employee engagement. Proven expertise in HR strategy development, employee lifecycle management, and fostering a positive work culture. Adept at balancing business needs with people-focused solutions, particularly in driving continuous improvement, DE&I initiatives, and managing complex employee relations issues. A trusted partner to leadership teams, with a track record of empowering managers and building high-performing teams.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Consultant
Nectar HR
Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton
07.2022 - Current
- Provide expert HR consulting across diverse range of sectors, aligning HR strategies with business goals and delivering tailored solutions
- Spearheaded change management initiatives that increased operational efficiency by 30%, while supporting in reducing headcount to avoid insolvency
- Delivered leadership training, reducing turnover by 20% and improving employee engagement
- Managed complex ER cases, providing advice on grievance, disciplinary, and capability issues, leading to reduced conflict and improved team morale.
- Developed company-wide policies to ensure legal compliance.
- Addressed grievances promptly maintaining positive work relationships.
- Facilitated change management initiatives to streamline business operations.
HR Coach & Trainer
Realise Training
Sheffield, Sheffield
07.2022 - Current
- Designed and delivered HR training for Level 5 CIPD Diploma and People Professional Apprenticeship, with focus on leadership development, employee relations, and compliance
- Designed and delivered unconscious bias training that led to 10% reduction in grievances and improved team cohesion
- Facilitated workshops on workforce compliance, enhancing alignment with HR best practices and legal requirements.
Human Resources Business Partner
CVS
Shifnal, Shropshire
12.2019 - 07.2022
- Partnered with leadership teams to deliver proactive, compliant HR services, improving organisational efficiency and employee engagement
- Led salary and bonus process, ensuring data-driven decision-making and fostering transparency in pay and progression policies
- Utilised workforce analytics to measure effectiveness of HR policies and implement improvements, resulting in 22% reduction in employee absence
- Collaborated with Operations Director to contribute to long-term people strategies, including succession planning and senior talent acquisition.
People Business Partner
Echo
Walsall, Walsall
07.2019 - 11.2019
- Provided HR support to senior management on employee relations issues, facilitating improvements in absence management and reducing short term absence by 5%.
- Led development of management training programme, enhancing leadership skills and fostering succession planning for key roles
- Chairperson for Employee Voice Forum, developing initiatives to improve employee engagement and morale thereby reducing grievances by 10%.
HR Lead
Teldoc Medical Practice
Telford, Shropshire
04.2019 - 06.2019
- Managed HR strategy and budget, aligning initiatives with practice's corporate business plan to enhance employee well-being, recruitment, and engagement
- Led development of management development programme and digitalised HR processes to improve operational efficiency changing supplier and saving £20K.
- Diligently maintained HR database ensuring data accuracy,.
Human Resources Business Partner
Weaver Vale Housing Trust
Northwich, Cheshire
01.2017 - 03.2019
- Partnered with senior leadership and unions to develop HR strategies supporting organisational goals.
- Delivered organisation’s first gender pay gap report, meeting all objectives on time.
- Analysed HR metrics to inform strategic decisions and created capability procedure to reduce long term sick absence by 12%.
HR Lead
Plastic Bottle Supplies
Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton
04.2016 - 01.2017
- Set up occupational health and employee well-being contract to support mandatory health surveillance and support mental well-being initiatives reducing long term absence by 15%.
Human Resources Business Partner
Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton
01.2016 - 03.2016
- Update all policies and procedures and delivered training to upskill management and reduce ER cases by 5%.
- Provided expert advice on employment law to mitigate risk of litigation.
Human Resources Business Partner
Addo Food Group
Telford, Telford and Wrekin
09.2015 - 12.2015
- Increased management performance by reducing grievances by 15% and creating standard operating procedures
- Support Senior HR Manager to develop 3 year HR strategy
Senior HR Advisor
Knighton Foods
Telford, Telford and Wrekin
03.2011 - 09.2015
- Performed review of sickness management procedure to improve absence levels from 18% to 8% and to reduce complexity
HR and Payroll Administrator
Faccenda
Telford, Telford and Wrekin
01.2009 - 03.2011
- Set up preferred supplier list saving £25K
- Support managers by offering coaching and mentoring reducing grievances by 10% and simplifying grievance procedure.
HR Administrator
Extra Personnel
Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton
10.2007 - 12.2008
- Responsible for completing weekly and monthly payroll for 450 employees
- Executed weekly key performance indicators in relation to staff turnover and absence to inform strategy for Senior Human Resources Manager
HR Administrator
Harvest Home Improvements
Tamworth, Staffordshire
07.1999 - 10.2007
- Generating contracts of employment
- Performed weekly payroll for 10 employees
Education
CIPD Level 7, Human Resource Management - Human Resources
Wolverhampton University
Wolverhampton05.2014
CIPD Level 3, People Professional - Human Resources
Telford College
Telford05.2012
Skills
- Employee Lifecycle Management: From seamless onboarding to career development, with focus on enhancing overall employee experience
- Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution: Expertise in managing complex grievance and disciplinary cases with professionalism and empathy
- Leadership & Talent Development: Skilled in coaching managers, succession planning, and fostering leadership capability
- Workforce Analytics: Analyse employee feedback, engagement, and productivity data to inform HR strategies
- Change Management & Strategy Alignment: Align HR practices with business needs, driving organisational efficiency and culture transformation
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI): Champion DEI initiatives that foster inclusive and supportive work environment
- HR Systems & Data Management:
- Proficient in HRIS systems like SAP, Cascade and Breathe HR
- HRIS: SAP, Cascade, Breathe HR
- MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
- HR strategy development
- Data interpretation
- Workforce planning
- Employment law knowledge
- Continuous Improvement
Affiliations
Member of CIPD & continuous professional development through workshops and training events on HR trends, employment law, and DEI best practices
6
Accomplishments
- Employee Engagement & Retention: Reduced turnover by 35% and improved employee morale through coaching, culture shifts, and enhanced engagement initiatives
- Absenteeism Reduction: Spearheaded a capability policy that reduced sickness absence by 12% and saved £90K
- Diversity & Inclusion: Designed and delivered unconscious bias training that reduced grievances by 10% and increased employee satisfaction
- Policy Development & Compliance: Successfully reviewed and aligned HR policies to ensure compliance, reducing employee relations issues by 15%.
Timeline
HR Consultant
Nectar HR
07.2022 - Current
HR Coach & Trainer
Realise Training
07.2022 - Current
Human Resources Business Partner
CVS
12.2019 - 07.2022
People Business Partner
Echo
07.2019 - 11.2019
HR Lead
Teldoc Medical Practice
04.2019 - 06.2019
Human Resources Business Partner
Weaver Vale Housing Trust
01.2017 - 03.2019
HR Lead
Plastic Bottle Supplies
04.2016 - 01.2017
Human Resources Business Partner
Wolverhampton City Council
01.2016 - 03.2016
Human Resources Business Partner
Addo Food Group
09.2015 - 12.2015
Senior HR Advisor
Knighton Foods
03.2011 - 09.2015
HR and Payroll Administrator
Faccenda
01.2009 - 03.2011
HR Administrator
Extra Personnel
10.2007 - 12.2008
HR Administrator
Harvest Home Improvements
07.1999 - 10.2007
CIPD Level 7, Human Resource Management - Human Resources
Wolverhampton University
CIPD Level 3, People Professional - Human Resources
Telford College
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