Rachel Forrest
Glasgow
Summary
Strategic HR business partner with a strong background in commercial leadership within customer-focused organisations. Influences senior stakeholders and implements people strategies that drive organisational change. Develops workforce and talent strategies, leveraging analytical skills to convert data into actionable outcomes. Delivers leadership in fostering inclusive cultures and improving performance.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Business Partner
Enable Scotland
Motherwell
05.2023 - Current
- Partnered strategically with 11 social care services, guiding managers to align HR practices with operational goals.
- Cultivated relationships with leaders to ensure HR strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Coach and support managers in performance, absence, disciplinary, grievance, and capability processes.
- Lead on diverse employee relations topics, ensuring outcomes are fair, consistent, and legally sound.
- Ensure compliance with employment laws and internal policies within social care.
- Analyse workforce data to inform decisions, enhancing engagement, retention, and performance.
- Promote a positive culture focused on inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Supported change initiatives by facilitating clear communication and minimising disruption for affected teams.
- Played a key role in a large-scale TUPE transfer, providing comprehensive HR support.
- Collaborate with HR functions to deliver a cohesive service.
Commercial and Store Manager
Marks and Spencer
Glasgow/ Edinburgh / London
09.2009 - 05.2023
- Directed end-to-end store operations, consistently delivering against KPIs including sales, profit, customer satisfaction, and operational standards.
- Progressed through multiple Store Manager roles, leading large, high-performing teams across diverse retail environments, with full accountability for commercial performance, people leadership, and operational excellence.
- Demonstrated strong commercial acumen by analysing trading data, identifying trends, and implementing strategic action plans to drive revenue growth and profitability.
- Led, developed, and inspired management teams and wider colleague populations, creating a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Successfully managed large, multi-layered teams, ensuring effective succession planning, talent development, and leadership capability building across stores.
- Championed exceptional customer experience, embedding service excellence and brand standards to strengthen customer loyalty and store reputation.
- Delivered complex change programmes, including store restructures, new concept implementations, and business transformation initiatives, maintaining colleague engagement and operational stability.
- Built strong stakeholder relationships across regional and head office functions, influencing decision-making and aligning store objectives with wider business strategy.
- Drove colleague engagement initiatives, improving retention and performance through effective communication, coaching, and recognition strategies.
- Maintained rigorous compliance with company policies, health & safety, and food safety standards, ensuring audit readiness and risk mitigation at all times.
- Recognised for consistently delivering results in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, balancing operational demands with long-term strategic goals.
Education
Level 5 - CIPD Associate
CIPD
01-2024
Bachelor of Arts Hons - Retail Marketing
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow01-2009
Skills
- HR strategy partnership
- HR strategy alignment
- Workforce talent strategy
- Data-driven analytics
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Change leadership
- Team leadership development
- Strong Communication Skills
Timeline
HR Business Partner
Enable Scotland
05.2023 - Current
Commercial and Store Manager
Marks and Spencer
09.2009 - 05.2023
Level 5 - CIPD Associate
CIPD
Bachelor of Arts Hons - Retail Marketing
Glasgow Caledonian University