Deirdre holds a CIPD qualification in Human Resource Management, an ILM certification in Leadership and Management, and a BA Hons in Design and Art Direction. Throughout her career, she has worked with both small SMEs and large Global Corporations. Her expertise covers a wide range of areas, including UK Employment Law (including Northern Ireland) and also support for employees in the Republic of Ireland and Europe, Employee Recruitment and Selection, Policy and Contracts, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Leadership development, and Compensation & Benefits Programmes.
Deirdre previously studied and lived in Manchester for five years before returning to Northern Ireland. She enjoys beach-related hobbies such as surfing, cold-water swimming, and beach yoga. She has also taken up playing the piano and crochet as a way to reduce screen time.
Deirdre’s Q&A
What is your greatest personal achievement?
I have reached a point where I am comfortable in my skin and happy in the life I have built. To get here the failures were as important as my successes.. I think contentment is a great personal achievement!
What is your favourite song, film, book or album?
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind is a fantastic film, I’m a big fan of Director Michael Gondry.
Weezers ‘Blue Album’ has been the top spot record and nostalgically takes me back: I still listen to it from start to finish and love every track.
What is your favourite quote?
“Do not take life too seriously you will never get out of it alive”- Elbert Hubbard
What do you wish other people knew about HR Solutions?
Clients can expect to receive the most extensive expertise and knowledge from us. It’s a testament to the talent each individual possesses and how they deliver it with a keen sense of emotional intelligence.
Juliet Coates
Client Services ManagerJuliet joined HR Solutions in September 2016 as HR Advisor to predominately support our clients using our ever-growing HR Advice Line service. She has since been promoted to Senior HR Advisor, HR Consultant and Client Services Manager.
Sarah Dunnell
HR AdvisorSarah’s HR Advisor experience within the Travel & Tourism sector saw her specialise in business change management whether it was selling a brand, closing an office, making redundancies or reorganising the workforce.
Chris Thomson
HR AdvisorChris achieved a BA in Business Studies (Hons) (2:1) from Nottingham Trent University and a CIPD Level 5 Diploma in HR Management. His HR experience covers working within highways, utilities, construction and infrastructure sectors.
Harriet Coleman
HR AdvisorHarriet has a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Management, PGDip and an undergraduate degree in Psychology, BSc (Hons). She has generalist HR and employee relations experience.
Sheena Harris
Senior HR ConsultantSheena joined HR Solutions after almost 12 years in her previous role working in HR Management with a tour operator in Leicestershire.
Abi Ashford
Lead HR ConsultantAbi Ashford brings a great level of experience and HR knowledge to the HR Solutions team. In 2019 she was promoted to HR Consultant from Senior HR Advisor.
Aftab Jussab
Senior HR ConsultantAftab brings over 15 years' worth of Legal & HR experience to HR Solutions. He is a self-motivated individual with a unique blend of business acumen and his professional experience stems from working with legal experts and leading HR organisations.
Rob Coppillie
Senior HR ConsultantRob brings valuable insight to his HR Consultancy role that he gained from 20 years operational and management experience within the fast paced logistics, fresh and frozen foods sector.
Louise Balloch
HR ConsultantLouise supports HR Solutions’ clients with their employment related concerns. Her experience includes an array of topics including flexible working, probation, conduct, performance management, parental leave and absence management.
Victoria Templeton
HR Knowledge ManagerVictoria is CIPD qualified and joined HR Solutions as an HR Advisor, bringing with her an expertise in employee relations that she gained within FCA regulated businesses.
Karen Falconer
HR Knowledge ManagerKaren was promoted to HR Knowledge Manager in November 2017, having been promoted once before from HR Advisor to Senior HR Advisor, Team Leader earlier that same year.
Roxana Stoica
HR AdministratorRoxana provides support to the HR Consultants in relation to our HR Administration service, and also supports in the management of our clients on our HR Database system.
Sue Watson
Head of Client ServicesSue Watson has gained extensive HR experience over the course of her career with HR management positions across a range of industries.