“Andrew at The Spark Company is a great partner for a business to work with. He combines a practical, no nonsense approach with good technical knowledge and quickly builds a rapport with existing teams to hit the ground running."
Jacinta Magee
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“From the very first meeting I had with Andrew he felt like part of our team and not an external consultant. He went on to lead on our management training using the Insights Discovery Personal Profile and is an amazing facilitator, allowing for everyone to participate and get the most out of each session. He creates a fun and safe environment to allow effective collaboration and thought sharing. I would always recommend Andrew’s services."
Angela Shott
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New and experienced managers
New and experienced managers
New Managers
Do your leaders need to improve their self-confidence and effectiveness? Fed-up of off-the-shelf training that doesn’t have any impact in the real world? If you are looking for a programme that enables leaders to understand their personal strengths, preferences, blind spots and possible weaknesses, we can help. We support leaders to translate learning into positive changes to productivity and performance in the real-world Give us a call for a friendly chat about how we can help your leaders flourish.
BESPOKE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Design and deliver a bespoke Leadership Development Programme for the UK's leading provider of physiotherapy and mental health services
A great partner for any business
Chief Financial Officer
Client
Ascenti
Challenge
Design and deliver a structured leadership programme for line and middle managers
A safe space for leaders to flourish
Head of Operations
Solution
LEAP: The Leadership Development Programme for Ascenti Managers
Impact
Greater confidence and effectiveness from leaders at all levels
Managers told us they were more confident, had greater self-awareness and a better understanding of others.
89% would recommend The Spark Company to others
90% would recommend Insights Discovery to others
Newly appointed managers gave an average 91% satisfaction rating
Looking for a bespoke Leadership or Management Development Programme?
Category: Our Work
Polar Speed | TUPE Transfer
TUPE TRANSFER OF DRIVERS AND LOGISTICS STAFF
Manage a TUPE Transfer from start to finish, so our client can focus on service delivery and managing the outsourcing project
We’ll do the heavy-lifting so you don’t have to
“We engaged the services of The Spark Company to assist us with a TUPE transfer. Having Andrew on board for the project gave me full confidence that the HR aspects were in control in safe hands, allowing me to focus on the other aspects of the contract and implementation.”
Jonathan Dyer
Engineering Manager
Client
Polar Speed, a UPS Healthcare Company
- Polar Speed is the UK’s leading temperature-controlled supply chain expert, part of UPS Healthcare, global leaders in temperature-controlled logistics.
- Polar Speed serves a range of sectors including: pharma, medical devices, diagnostics, hospitals and clinics
- Polar Speed delivers directly to the homes of thousands of NHS patients and private patients.
Challenge
Transfer a group of employees as services are outsourced, without disrupting patient deliveries
- A customer asked Polar Speed to take over the running of an in-house patient medication delivery service.
- The Spark Company was commissioned to manage and deliver the people aspects of the outsourcing project, including TUPE.
- A group of employees would TUPE transfer to Polar Speed.
- The incoming team made daily deliveries of kidney dialysis equipment and consumables direct to patients' homes, so service could not be interrupted.
We’ll do the heavy-lifting so you don’t have to
“Andrew and I worked on a project together recently and his expertise and efficiency were second to none. He provided an impeccable service, friendly, fast paced and with attention to detail. He always provided the outcomes he'd committed to, and was always engaged, responsive and a really safe pair of hands for a complex project. I'd recommend his skills to anyone.”
Daniel Armstrong-Hill
Project Manager
Solution
Clear, honest and open communication throughout the transfer process
- We worked together with the in-house HR Team and quickly got up-to-speed.
- We joined Polar Speed's project team and took responsibility for the people aspects of the change project.
- We liaised with the outgoing employer and proactively supported the consultation process before the TUPE transfer date.
- We briefed managers and helped the in-house HR and Payroll Teams to prepare their systems.
Impact
Service and employees transferred; no disruption to service delivery
- The team transferred without interruption to patient services – all still whilst observing COVID-19 safety measures!
- No grievances, complaints or resignations were received.
- We supported our client with engaging communication tailored to drivers, administrative and warehouse staff.
- We ensured everyone got paid properly on their first pay day and helped Polar Speed to resolve pay and pension queries.
Do you need help to insource or outsource a group of employees?
Is your business growing through acquisition, or perhaps divesting services which no longer match your core mission?
If you are looking for a HR Consultancy to take care of Due Diligence, Employee Liability Information, Consultation and TUPE, then you need to speak to us. We can work effectively as a dedicated project leader, as part of your in-house team, or as an advisor to your executives, board and senior management.
We're ready to help you achieve your business goals through your people, and make TUPE one less thing you have to worry about.
Ascenti | Interim HR Leadership for a leading provider of physio and mental health
INTERIM HR LEADERSHIP IN PRIVATE HEALTHCARE
Acting as Interim Head of HR for the UK’s leading provider of physiotherapy and mental health services
Happy Clients
“Andrew is brilliant at engaging with people at all levels and across the whole business. If you need someone that can really bring people together and make things happen quickly, he’s a great person for that.”
Stephanie Dobrikova
Chief Executive Officer
Client
Ascenti
- Ascenti is the UK's leading provider of physiotherapy and mental health services.
- The Ascenti team provides excellent patient care at over 400 clinics across UK, supported by office-based and regional teams.
- Patients are treated by a national network of 500 directly employed Ascenti clinicians delivering upwards of 600,000 treatment sessions every year.
Challenge
Step in as Interim Head of HR and lead strategic projects
- Ascenti's previous Head of HR had moved on leaving a gap in the HR Team.
- HR leadership was needed to navigate the people impact of both a global pandemic and Brexit
- Ascenti’s leadership team needed an Interim Head of HR to support them during this challenging time.
Happy Clients
“Andrew hit the ground running and unlike many other HR consultants who can often create more work for the team, he lightened our workload.
We are undoubtedly better off as a business having worked together and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend The Spark Company to others.”
Sophie Harper
Chief People and Communications Officer
Solution
Remote HR leadership through uncertain times
- We led the in-house HR Team remotely when none of us could meet face-to-face.
- We supported the Executive Team to review and simplify organisation structures.
- We ensured legal compliance of visas for all overseas staff – an important consideration as the Brexit transition period ended and new immigration rules emerged.
Impact
Key talent was retained so patient-facing services could return to ‘normal’ without disruption
- Majority of roles protected and colleagues furloughed, particularly clinical practitioners who were essential for patient care.
- HR roles restructured and redefined, giving Ascenti a scalable structure to support future growth.
- Upgraded HR and Payroll technology to enable self-service and minimise wasted time
Looking for an interim HR Director that can hit the ground running?
Do you need short-term cover for a HR Director or People Director role? Tried recruiting and still can't find a Head of HR or Head of People? If you are looking for a HR Consultancy to take the pressure off you and temporarily manage your HR function, then you need to speak to us.
We're ready to step in, give you interim strategic HR support, and get stuff done…until you make a permanent hire.
Laser Clinics UK | Response to COVID-19
HR ADVICE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
Enabled a multinational team to rapidly close, manage furlough and safely reopen their businesses
You can count on us in a crisis
“Andrew provided timely, calm and well-informed HR advice and consultancy to us at a very challenging time for our business.
I would highly recommend his steady, professional and authoritative guidance.”
Bridget Healey
Acting General Manager
Client
Laser Clinics UK, part of Laser Clinics, a global leader in aesthetics treatments
- Laser Clinics operates over 200 clinics globally; the largest cosmetic clinic in the world, with more than 2,500 staff performing over 4.2 million treatments a year.
- Laser Clinics United Kingdom (LCUK) opened its first UK location in September 2019.
- LCUK operates a shared ownership model, working with franchisees and independent owners.
Challenge
Immediate closure of all UK locations and furlough all UK-based staff
- In line with UK Government restrictions from March 2020, all clinics in the UK were closed overnight.
- The Corporate Leadership Team was based in Australia, where different lockdown rules applied.
- The UK General Manager needed support and guidance to safeguard UK employees and jobs.
Calm under pressure
“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK, Andrew’s support was invaluable.
Giving practical advice to a group of independent business owners is no small task; somehow Andrew found a way to give each of us what we needed.”
Sue Molloy
General Manager
Solution
Practical and pragmatic HR advice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Virtual leadership team briefings to franchisees and employees.
- Support to furlough teams and gradually return teams from furlough and reopen businesses safely.
- Support client to setup a UK-based HR Service to provide clinic owners with HR advice.
- Partnered with Australian Corporate Team as their UK-based Strategic HR Consultant.
Impact
Service and employees transferred; no disruption to service delivery
- Franchisees and corporate teams felt supported and reassured.
- Several managers described our service as “invaluable”.
- No grievances were received by clinics.
- All clinics were temporarily closed and later reopened safely, in line with UK Government advice.
Do you need help to retain talent through challenging circumstances?
Is uncertainty or volatility making you re-think your business plans? Do you need to make some changes to your structure and wondering where to start?
If you are looking for a HR Consultancy to help you a difficult period, then you need to speak to us. We can work effectively as a dedicated project leader, as part of your in-house team, or as an advisor to your executives, board and senior management.
We're ready to help you achieve your business goals through your people, and to overcome the challenging circumstances you face.
CCHA | TUPE Transfer
TUPE TRANSFER OF INCOMING EMPLOYEES
Supporting Cardiff Community Housing Association to insource and integrate their repairs and maintenance team
A HR Consultancy that gets stuff done
“Andrew comes with a range of ideas; he's hugely creative and hugely solution focussed, he's the full package really. He gives me clarity and pragmatism, which for a Chief Executive like me, is really important.”
Hayley Selway
Chief Executive
Client
Cardiff Community Housing Association; responsible for over 3,000 homes in Wales
- Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA) is a community-based Registered Social Landlord.
- CCHA rents homes to over 3000 families in Splott, Butetown and Adamsdown
- CCHA works with tenants to transform their lives, in some of Cardiff's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
Challenge
Transfer a group of employees from an outsourced provider into the organisation with no interruptions to service (…during a pandemic)
- CCHA decided to insource its repairs and maintenance service in late 2019, to deliver greater value for money and create resilience in its services.
- In early 2020, we were commissioned to manage and deliver the TUPE project.
- A group of employees would transfer to CCHA on 1st April 2020.
Solution
Clear, honest and open communication throughout the transfer process
- We worked together with the in-house HR Team and quickly got up-to-speed.
- We joined CCHA's project team and took responsibility for the people aspects of the change project.
- We communicated with project leaders weekly, regularly met transferring employees, resolved queries, and began integrating the new team with existing CCHA colleagues.
Impact
Service and employees transferred; no disruption to service delivery
- The team transferred without interruption to tenant services – no mean feat at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic!
- No grievances, complaints or resignations were received.
- We supported our client to offer aligned Terms and Conditions of Employment; 100% of incoming employees voluntarily accepted the new contract.
- As the teams integrated into CCHA, transferred colleagues have been promoted and developed into new roles.
Do you need help with TUPE?
Are you a business looking to insource services from a supplier, take over a contract you've won, and transfer a group of employees into your team? Are you wondering where to start?
If you are looking for a HR Consultancy to help you with the TUPE Transfer and guide you as you integrate your new team into your company, then you need to speak to us.
Our experienced CIPD accredited consultants will help you every step of the way.