About vivoHR & Training
vivoHR & Training are a modern HR Consultancy, headed up by the straight talking, highly approachable Sam Swinstead. We have been helping businesses for over a decade with every aspect of HR.
We have developed the vivoHR People Plan that runs alongside our sensible pragmatic approach to HR Consultancy to help you create a people strategy that helps your business really grow.
Whether it’s a troublesome employee that needs re-directing , new hires that need inducting or a growing workforce that is now just to big to be well managed and developed by you. We’re there every step of the way for you!
We understand that it can feel overwhelming managing the nuances and constant updates to employment law these days. As your HR Consultancy we are here to smooth your path as an employer and make it that much easier.
Give us a call to discuss!
Sam Swinstead
Director
With a background that combines a Masters in Organisational Psychology with nearly 20 years’ experience in HR and Training, Sam has a wealth of HR skills and knowledge to share and has been working with clients in a multitude of industry sectors and ranging in size from Start Ups to Blue Chip brands. Her pragmatic approach to dealing with employee matters has helped clients deal with everything from redundancy, disciplinary and grievance situations to equality audits and customer service protocol creation. Sam’s work has saved a number of businesses in excess of £10,000 by enabling them to avoid costly tribunal claims.
With an interest in supporting organisations committed to developing a culture of fair treatment, inclusion and respect for individuals, Sam offers a ‘joined up’ best practice strategic approach to helping clients manage their people. She gets excited about providing complete HR solutions that can be deployed in ‘real life’ – practically and simply. To this end she has developed the vivoHR People Plan
Sam says: Whatever I do in a company, my clients tell me that they feel like I am on their side, that my passion and energy are infectious and my determination to get the right outcome gives business owners the confidence to be a great employer!
Rachel Goodman
HR Consultant
Rachel joined our HR consultancy as our HR Administrator in 2013 having previously provided business support for over 18 years to companies including DERA, Logica and BT.
After learning on the job Rachel gained her CIPD Level 3 qualification and has continued developing her HR knowledge and expertise becoming one of our HR Consultants in 2017.
Whether she is working on a client’s HR documents or dealing with hands on HR issues, they are always ‘just right’ and in safe hands with Rachel. Her efficiency and organisational skills mean our clients can trust that she’ll manage all their HR tasks.
Rachel is also our resident expert in setting up and maintaining cloud based Human Resource Management Systems for our clients, who are already commenting on the time saving and ease with which they can use these tools.
Rachel has an eye for detail, a dislike for jargon and a highly logical outlook. You know you will get well thought out and plain speaking advice from Rachel.
Rachel says: “It’s my job to help our clients manage their day-to-day employment operations as easily as possible so that they can focus on successfully running their business”
Sarah-Louise Greenaway
HR Consultant
Sarah-Louise joined vivoHR as an HR Consultant in February 2022, having previously worked in HR departments for a variety of sectors such as IT, Leisure, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals. She started her HR career over 14 years ago by accident and hasn’t looked back since, carving a path as a HR professional.
After being qualified by experience for many years Sarah-Louise undertook her CIPD Level 5 during maternity leave with her first child.
With a generalist background Sarah-Louise has a wealth of knowledge relating to employee relations concerns across the spectrum of HR. She is also experienced in creating and tailoring policies/procedures to the companies’ individual needs whilst ensuring they are compliant within the eyes of the law. She has a passion for systems and ensuring they work to the needs of the client to make life easier not harder!
Sarah-Louise is focused on delivering high quality thoughtful advice to help employers provide a fair and forward-thinking approach to their HR requirements.
Sarah-Louise says: “After working as an in-house HR professional for many years I am very excited to be joining a HR Consultancy like vivoHR to share my knowledge and passion for all things HR and people related. I want to be a solid partner and friendly voice of reason for my clients who they can trust and turn to, to give them reliable and accurate advice.”
Bev Chessun
Administrator
Bev joined vivoHR in April 2023, having had a varied working life her and her gentle nature is just what we need in our busy office.
Bev says: “ I’ve been ‘doing’ admin for far longer than I care to admit. It happened accidentally, I got a place in art college a million years ago, as art was my thing (and still is in my spare time) but had a crisis of confidence. As a Londoner I was expected to go and work in a bank in the City following in the family footsteps, I compromised and went and qualified with a London Chamber of Commerce Private Secretary’s Certificate. I endured the Victoria Line day in and day out for a couple of years, working for BP in Press and PR.
I went from big corporate life to working in a Citizens Advice Bureau then moved to Wiltshire and worked in a Drug and Alcohol support centre. When my daughters arrived and I got creative about how I worked. I ran a small internet business around the kids and got really involved in school committees, finally ending up as a governor and felt proud to be a small part in helping turn that particular school around. More recently I worked as administrator in a school in the Student Support team, I loved the interaction with the students, its tough being a teenager these days, there were many issues to try to help out with. I now volunteer with a local agency mentoring young people who may be struggling in various aspects of their life.
There was never really a career plan, I’ve always believed you need to be happy in your job, it takes up far too much of your life not to be. This is my first real encounter with HR and I’m learning daily, its fascinating listening to what the team get up to in their work.”