Ross Garwood
Sandbach,Cheshire
Summary
Experienced and adaptable HR professional with hands-on experience supporting and managing the full employee lifecycle within a fast-growing start-up environment. Skilled in recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, HR policy implementation, payroll administration, health and safety compliance, and process improvement. Proven ability to handle sensitive employee matters, support senior leaders and managers, supervise staff, and introduce structured HR processes across a growing business. Brings additional experience from compliance-focused, customer service and fraud investigation roles, with strong analytical, communication and decision-making skills. Now seeking an opportunity to continue developing a long-term career in human resources, with a strong interest in beginning the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management this year.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
year of post-secondary education
7
7
years of professional experience
Work history
HR manager
Gymsets Ltd
Middlewich, Cheshire East
2025.10 - 2026.06
- Built and managed the HR function for a rapidly growing start-up, supporting the company’s expansion from approximately 12 to more than 45 employees.
- Managed the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, interviewing, offers, contracts, onboarding, probation reviews, performance management, disciplinary processes and dismissals.
- Led all company recruitment activity across warehouse, logistics, customer service, management and specialist roles, working closely with senior leaders to identify staffing requirements.
- Managed and developed a direct report, delegating responsibilities, monitoring performance and providing ongoing guidance and support.
- Introduced new HR policies, procedures and documentation to improve consistency, compliance and accountability across the business.
- Redesigned key company processes, including attendance management, annual leave, timesheets, onboarding, return-to-work meetings and employee record keeping.
- Advised directors and managers on employee relations matters, including absence, conduct, performance, probation and workplace investigations.
- Managed payroll preparation and employee data using QuickBooks, ensuring hours, overtime, absences, pension contributions and salary changes were processed accurately.
- Took ownership of workplace health and safety, maintaining compliance records, risk assessments, training documentation and corrective action plans.
- Prepared the business for external health and safety audits and ensured required actions were completed, helping the company meet its compliance obligations.
- Managed health and safety systems through BrightSafe, including the compliance dashboard, documentation, training records and outstanding actions.
- Created and maintained a company-wide training matrix to monitor mandatory training, skills development and certification requirements.
- Worked beyond the traditional HR remit to support operational improvements across the business, including warehouse processes, logistics, staffing structures and shift planning.
- Assisted with logistics and courier management, helping review suppliers, resolve operational issues and improve delivery processes.
- Partnered closely with the directors during a period of rapid growth, providing practical solutions to people, compliance and operational challenges.
- Introduced structured management practices into a fast-moving start-up environment, helping the business transition from informal processes to more professional and scalable ways of working.
Customer service agent
Gymsets Ltd
Middlewich, Cheshire
2025.08 - 2025.09
- Managed customer queries for better understanding of products and services.
- Took ownership of customer concerns, ensured comprehensive resolution efforts were made.
- Collaborated cross-functionally to address systemic issues impacting customer satisfaction.
- Improved customer satisfaction by efficiently resolving complaints and issues.
Barista
The Coffee House
Northwich, Cheshire
2024.08 - 2025.07
- I worked part-time while studying at Chester University.
Fraud investigator
WEX Inc.
Manchester
2023.05 - 2023.11
- Updated case management system with accurate data to reflect investigation progress.
- Made recommendations to management on changes in procedures and processes to prevent future fraud incidents.
- Met investigation SLA's from start to finish.
- Prepared reports documenting investigative findings, which were used in decision-making processes.
- Used multiple software tools to organise and document investigation data in a clear and concise manner, ensuring accuracy and ease of access.
Fraud analyst
WEX Inc.
Manchester
2022.02 - 2023.05
- Analysed transaction data to detect trends and anomalies, reducing instances of fraud.
- Contributed to fraud awareness training materials and publicity campaigns.
- Assessed documentation to determine if fraud occurred.
- Monitored accounts and transactions to detect fraudulent activities.
Sales and Service Executive
Manchester United Football Club
Manchester
2021.11 - 2022.02
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
Responsible Gambling Support
bet365
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
2021.05 - 2021.11
- Using player protection measures to prevent problem gambling.
- Relaying information to a range of different departments regarding account status.
- Using customer information to determine if any necessary action is required on the account.
Fraud Analyst Specialist
bet365
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
2019.04 - 2021.04
- Using our in house software tools to analyse data and evidence to prevent fraudulent activity.
- Ensure the correct action is taken in line with the current country licensing agreements across Europe and internationally.
- Communicating with other departments to gain information and also provide information on accounts.
- Incorporating all of the above this leads to a decision making process whereby the most appropriate course of action is applied.
Customer Service Advisor
bet365
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
2019.03 - 2019.04
- I was employed for the customer service role based on previous experience. During training I was selected to join the fraud analysis team on a secondment, I was then offered a permanent role.
Education
Foundation Degree in Science - Sociology
University of Chester
Chester 2024.09 - 2025.06
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid England
Stoke-on-TrentTeaching English As A Foreign Language
The TEFL Academy
AucklandDiploma - Painting And Decorating
South Cheshire College
CreweGCSE - undefined
Sandbach School
SandbachSkills
- Employee relations support
- Recruitment and candidate selection
- Full employee lifecycle administration
- Interviewing and onboarding
- Probation and performance review processes
- Disciplinary and absence management support
- HR policy development and implementation
- Employment contracts and HR documentation
- Attendance and annual leave management
- Payroll preparation and timesheet administration
- Health and safety compliance
Key Skills
- Audit preparation and compliance monitoring
- Training coordination and training matrix management
- Line management and employee support
- HR process improvement
- Confidential employee record management
- HR systems, including QuickBooks, Jibble and BrightSafe
- Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Data analysis and HR reporting
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Experience working in a fast-paced start-up environment
Languages
Portuguese
Upper intermediate
Timeline
HR manager
Gymsets Ltd
2025.10 - 2026.06
Customer service agent
Gymsets Ltd
2025.08 - 2025.09
Foundation Degree in Science - Sociology
University of Chester
2024.09 - 2025.06
Barista
The Coffee House
2024.08 - 2025.07
Fraud investigator
WEX Inc.
2023.05 - 2023.11
Fraud analyst
WEX Inc.
2022.02 - 2023.05
Sales and Service Executive
Manchester United Football Club
2021.11 - 2022.02
Responsible Gambling Support
bet365
2021.05 - 2021.11
Fraud Analyst Specialist
bet365
2019.04 - 2021.04
Customer Service Advisor
bet365
2019.03 - 2019.04
GCSE - undefined
Sandbach School
Diploma - Painting And Decorating
South Cheshire College
Teaching English As A Foreign Language
The TEFL Academy
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid England