Member Article

HR consultancy expands as portfolio grows

A HR CONSULTANCY set up just 18 months ago is expanding after enjoying a period of significant growth.

Oculus HR was launched by Louise Kennedy, who was made redundant after working in the manufacturing and automotive industries for over 10 years.

Louise, from Seaburn in Sunderland, set up the business in January 2014 after deciding she wanted a fresh challenge and working for herself was the natural path to go down.

And now, after seeing her portfolio expand and move into new sectors, Louise has taken on her first member of staff.

Deborah Ebdy specialises in education HR and will work with Louise on a new project being delivered by Oculus, HR Educate.

Louise, 38, said: “I’d always wanted to work for myself and after being made redundant it was the perfect time. I really wanted a sense of achievement for myself and felt running my own business would give me that.

“Since launching things have gone so well and I am now at the point where I want to take the business to the next level and continue to grow.

“I was introduced to Deborah through a friend and with her background in education I thought she’d be a great addition to the business.”

Oculus HR, which is based at Evolve Business Centre at Rainton Meadows Business Park, works with a number of high profile clients including the Esh Group, Vantec, Tyne and Wear Marine and the Lear Corporation.

The company is now the preferred supplier to the GP practices in Sunderland through the GP alliance, and has also been confirmed as the preferred supplier for the enterprise team at the University of Sunderland, after going through a competitive tender process.

Louise, who has also been accepted onto the North East Automotive Alliance supply chain development programme, added: “I’m really excited about the growth of the business. I’m keen to work with other growing businesses to support them with their HR needs and also continue to expand in our target markets of manufacturing, automotive, education and healthcare.

“Setting up the business is the best thing I’ve done and I am looking forward to seeing how things grow in the next 18 months.” Oculus will also work with new and growing SMEs to provide them with support to establish their business in the area.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leanne English .