Mel Stead
Managing Director at Optimal HR Services- Claim this Profile
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English -
Topline Score
Bio
Vanessa Hirsch-Angus
Mel is awesome - I’d genuinely like to leave it there but I feel compelled to elaborate. She has a strength of character that I haven’t seen in many people. She’s incredibly supportive and her knowledge of HR both generally and specifically is second to none. I would want Mel by my side as a business professional and a friend. She adds real value and works harder than anyone I know. Highly recommended.
Tim McGarrity
I had the pleasure of working with Mel as a member of the Management Board at Fairpoint PLC during which time Mel built a highly effective, high performing and highly motivated HR & OD function. During this period the business went through significant change allowing Mel to exhibited her excellent knowledge and practical approach to change management, organisation development along with good, practical employment law knowledge. From a personal point of view I found Mel's common sense approach combined with leadership strength and excellent knowledge, not only practical but reassuring. Mel's support was invaluable. I really enjoyed working with Mel and look forward to doing so again.
Vanessa Hirsch-Angus
Mel is awesome - I’d genuinely like to leave it there but I feel compelled to elaborate. She has a strength of character that I haven’t seen in many people. She’s incredibly supportive and her knowledge of HR both generally and specifically is second to none. I would want Mel by my side as a business professional and a friend. She adds real value and works harder than anyone I know. Highly recommended.
Tim McGarrity
I had the pleasure of working with Mel as a member of the Management Board at Fairpoint PLC during which time Mel built a highly effective, high performing and highly motivated HR & OD function. During this period the business went through significant change allowing Mel to exhibited her excellent knowledge and practical approach to change management, organisation development along with good, practical employment law knowledge. From a personal point of view I found Mel's common sense approach combined with leadership strength and excellent knowledge, not only practical but reassuring. Mel's support was invaluable. I really enjoyed working with Mel and look forward to doing so again.
Vanessa Hirsch-Angus
Mel is awesome - I’d genuinely like to leave it there but I feel compelled to elaborate. She has a strength of character that I haven’t seen in many people. She’s incredibly supportive and her knowledge of HR both generally and specifically is second to none. I would want Mel by my side as a business professional and a friend. She adds real value and works harder than anyone I know. Highly recommended.
Tim McGarrity
I had the pleasure of working with Mel as a member of the Management Board at Fairpoint PLC during which time Mel built a highly effective, high performing and highly motivated HR & OD function. During this period the business went through significant change allowing Mel to exhibited her excellent knowledge and practical approach to change management, organisation development along with good, practical employment law knowledge. From a personal point of view I found Mel's common sense approach combined with leadership strength and excellent knowledge, not only practical but reassuring. Mel's support was invaluable. I really enjoyed working with Mel and look forward to doing so again.
Vanessa Hirsch-Angus
Mel is awesome - I’d genuinely like to leave it there but I feel compelled to elaborate. She has a strength of character that I haven’t seen in many people. She’s incredibly supportive and her knowledge of HR both generally and specifically is second to none. I would want Mel by my side as a business professional and a friend. She adds real value and works harder than anyone I know. Highly recommended.
Tim McGarrity
I had the pleasure of working with Mel as a member of the Management Board at Fairpoint PLC during which time Mel built a highly effective, high performing and highly motivated HR & OD function. During this period the business went through significant change allowing Mel to exhibited her excellent knowledge and practical approach to change management, organisation development along with good, practical employment law knowledge. From a personal point of view I found Mel's common sense approach combined with leadership strength and excellent knowledge, not only practical but reassuring. Mel's support was invaluable. I really enjoyed working with Mel and look forward to doing so again.
Credentials
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L7 Executive Coaching Qualification
ILMMay, 2009- Nov, 2024 -
British Psychology Society (BPS)
Level 1 in Psychometric Testing -
Member of Chartered Institute of Housing
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Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development
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Experience
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Optimal HR Services
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United Kingdom
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Human Resources
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1 - 100 Employee
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Managing Director
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Jan 2012 - Present
We provide genuine end to end HR Outsourcing to SME organisations across the UK. This includes all aspect of HR (administration to strategy), Training & Development, Recruitment and Payroll Services. Our sector specialisms are Education (specifically MAT's), Health & Social Care, Legal and Professional Services and the Hospitality sector. We also provide interim support to organisations, undertaking strategic Operational, HR & Organisational Design roles from front line level to Exec Director. In addition to working with organisations growing through transformational growth we also undertake specific pieces of work such as: ★ Corporate restructures of Management Teams, HR & OD & also Operational Functions ★ Due Diligence of M&A activity ★ Integration & implementation programmes post M&A activity ★ Harmonisation of Terms and Conditions ★ Implementation of HR systems, E-learning systems ★ HR & OD Compliance Audits and Policy Reviews ★ Design of Performance Management & Competency Frameworks ★ Recruitment Strategies ★ Review of Company Benefits including Pension Schemes ★ Set up new Flexible Reward Programmes ★ Review of all Remuneration including Pay & Bonuses, Incentives and Benefits ★ Pay Benchmarking & Job Evaluation ★ Bespoke Leadership & Talent Management Development Programmes at all levels Show less
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Optimal Recruitment Services
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United Kingdom
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Staffing and Recruiting
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1 - 100 Employee
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Managing Director
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Jan 2012 - Present
We provide expert recruitment support and advice to clients and candidates across the UK. We are part of the Optimal People & Business Services Group and have over 20 years of experience in recruitment and HR. We have a dedicated team of recruiters who are market-leading experts specialising in finance, HR, IT, compliance and risk, executive office, project management, health & safety & facilities management. Our team of dedicated recruitment professionals can source permanent, temporary or contractor candidates in a wide variety of specialisms. Our network is in the tens of thousands and we will work hard to source the right candidates for your business. Optimal Recruitment Services work very hard to build a solid relationship with our clients and candidates to ensure we really understand the requirements of the role and who the perfect candidate will be. We then deliver on this and provide high calibre talent across all services and sectors within the UK. We work with some of the UK’s top talent to ensure we provide our clients with candidates who don’t just fit the job description and ethos of the company but are long-term investments. Show less
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HOMECARE PHARMACY SERVICES LIMITED
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director
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Jan 2020 - Present
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Unmasked Mental Health
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United Kingdom
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Mental Health Care
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1 - 100 Employee
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Non-Executive Director & Board Trustee
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Nov 2020 - Present
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Halifax Opportunities Trust
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United Kingdom
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Non-Executive Director & Board Trustee
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Aug 2020 - Present
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Calderdale Business Hub
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Halifax, England, United Kingdom
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Chairperson
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Oct 2020 - Jul 2022
Calderdale Business Hub is a not for profit networking group focused on bringing businesses together and supporting local charity and not for profit organisations. We have a strong focus on building solid working relationships between business owners which in turn enables us to help each others businesses grow. We are committed to keeping our local economy healthy by keeping work local and keeping jobs in the area. Calderdale Business Hub is a not for profit networking group focused on bringing businesses together and supporting local charity and not for profit organisations. We have a strong focus on building solid working relationships between business owners which in turn enables us to help each others businesses grow. We are committed to keeping our local economy healthy by keeping work local and keeping jobs in the area.
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MDDUS
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United Kingdom
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Financial Services
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100 - 200 Employee
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Interim Director of HR & Corporate Services
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Apr 2018 - Aug 2019
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Weir Flow Control
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United Kingdom
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Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
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200 - 300 Employee
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Global Vice President of HR
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Feb 2017 - Jun 2018
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Fairpoint Group PLC
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United Kingdom
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Financial Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Group Director of HR & OD
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Feb 2012 - Dec 2016
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NORTH HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP LIMITED
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United Kingdom
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Education Administration Programs
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1 - 100 Employee
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Non-Executive Director & Board Trustee
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Jun 2009 - Nov 2014
North Halifax Partnership Ltd is the parent company for Sure Start North and East Halifax and Innovations Children’s Centre. The Partnership was formed in 1998 to manage the Single Regeneration Programme in North Halifax. In addition to managing Sure Start activities we also manage the Ovenden and Mixenden Initiative Neighbourhood Management programme. North Halifax Partnership Ltd is the parent company for Sure Start North and East Halifax and Innovations Children’s Centre. The Partnership was formed in 1998 to manage the Single Regeneration Programme in North Halifax. In addition to managing Sure Start activities we also manage the Ovenden and Mixenden Initiative Neighbourhood Management programme.
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the lewis group limited
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United Kingdom
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Financial Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of HR & Change
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Mar 2009 - Feb 2012
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North Halifax FC
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Halifax, Calderdale, West Yorkshire
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Non Executive Board Member
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2007 - 2011
Voluntary Committee Member for North Halifax FC, Calderdale largest Junior Sports Club with over 500 children & 50 adults in 36 teams including a girls training academy. Voluntary Committee Member for North Halifax FC, Calderdale largest Junior Sports Club with over 500 children & 50 adults in 36 teams including a girls training academy.
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Together Housing Group
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United Kingdom
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Non-profit Organization Management
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200 - 300 Employee
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Group Head of OD - Yorkshire & Humber
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Feb 2007 - Apr 2009
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Halifax
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Banking
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700 & Above Employee
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HR Manager
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Mar 1995 - Jan 2007
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Education
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2011 - 2012
Henley Business School
Professional Certificate, Executive Coaching -
1998 - 2000
The University of Huddersfield
CIPD, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General -
1997 - 1999
CIPD Qualifications
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General -
CIPD Advanced Award In Organisational Development
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Diploma in Neuro Linguistic Programming (INLPA)
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ILM Level 5 Management Development Programme
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Level 1 in Psychometric Testing
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MBTI Step 1 Practitioner
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Prince 2 Foundation & Practitioner
Community
