Sales software specialists Artesian Solutions needed HR help as the company kept growing, as Chief Operating Officer Mike Blackadder explains: “We were just about to go through a large growth spurt and didn’t want to make any silly mistakes as we recruited 20 people to join Artesian Solutions. We needed a Human Resources specialist and found Gap HR on Google.

“Our software helps people to carry out research on prospects so they never have to make a cold call. At our first meeting with Carolyne she had done her homework on us; she reminded our CEO Andrew Yates that he has once said: ‘when a company gets big enough to need HR, it is time to leave’. It was a bold move at a first meeting but it worked and instantly endeared her to him!

“We had contracts that needed refreshing before we recruited more staff and we wanted someone who could give us advice and reassurance but who recognised there was a level of experience and understanding of HR issues within the company already.

“Gap HR carried out a review of our contracts and updated them where they were not compliant with the latest employment law. That review enabled us to recruit those people and we have now grown from 22 when we first started working with Gap HR, to 50 people now.

“Carolyne also looked closely at our processes within the organisation, saying she was impressed with only a few updates to carry out. Within the company, we have had a few minor disciplinary issues which we were able to handle internally. However, it was comforting to know that Carolyne was available if needed.

“As the Business Support Manager I have a busy and varied role within the company. HR plays a lesser part of my day to day duties; this is where Carolyne and her team prove to be invaluable. I am able to speak readily to them on the phone, bouncing ideas and gleaning information, enabling me to rapidly come to decisions knowing that they are both legal and sensible. Carolyne’s broad business knowledge and commercial acumen are enhanced by her recruitment skills, such as candidate profiling.

“I can absolutely recommend Gap HR; what impressed us about Carolyne is the way she has tailored her service to our needs, as she has recognised the existing level of expertise within the company and offers help where we have gaps.”

Sue Mason
Business Support Manager