Fiona Sinclair

Fiona Sinclair

HR Consultant

DDI: 029 2082 9103

Mobile: 07879 607992

Email: fsinclair@darwingray.com

Fiona is a highly competent, astute and pragmatic HR Consultant, with over 20 years’ experience advising and guiding companies through the minefield of employment law. She is widely regarded for her meticulous attention to detail.

Since joining Darwin Gray in 2006 she has worked closely with the firm’s team of employment lawyers to provide clients with a unified and seamless HR and employment law service, offering them practical, hands-on assistance or advising behind-the-scenes, whichever they require.

Her work includes conducting disciplinary and grievance investigations and hearings, including appeals, advising on performance and attendance management, and drafting contracts and handbooks.. She also conducts consultations on redundancies, transfers of undertakings (TUPE), and changes to terms and conditions. She is also expert at dealing with problems arising out of holiday and sick pay issues.

Fiona has extensive experience of delivering interactive and informative training sessions, often in collaboration with her lawyer colleagues, combining up-to-date legal best-practice with tools and techniques for its practical implementation.

Fiona works with many clients on a fixed-fee monthly retainer, providing HR advice on a broad range of topics, such that she has become their trusted HR business partner.  She also works on fixed fee projects as well as providing advice on an ad hoc basis.

  • Supporting a multi-national client with a consultation process on changing the terms and conditions of their 250 UK-based employees

  • Establishing and implementing an HR framework for an IT company with ambitious growth plans

  • Acting as the UK HR Business partner for a global manufacturer with 2 operational sites in the UK, acting as the interface between corporate HR strategy (driven by Germany) and operational HR support

  • Guiding a client through the redundancy of one individual from selection pool of 5

  • Managing the ill-health termination of a CEO

  • Managing the recruitment, selection and appointment process for a new CEO

  • Undertaking a forensic review of an alleged fraudulent expenses claim for a charity and advising on the disciplinary process that ensued

  • Delivering a 2-part training session to new managers on the role and responsibilities of a manager

  • Advising on and setting up a process for undertaking DBS checks on all new and existing employees

  • Investigating allegations of bullying and harassment against a field manager in a UK-wide manufacturing client and handling the resultant actions

  • Advising a fast-growing tech company on how to attract and retain top talent

  • Managing the implementation of an online HR management system for a charity and an IT company

  • Advising clients on all aspects of HR in the employment lifecycle

  • Assisting clients with GDPR compliance

  • Conducting disciplinary and grievance investigations and hearings including appeals

  • Finding practical, pragmatic solutions to employment issues

  • Managing the employment aspects of TUPE transfers

Experience

  • HR Consultant, Darwin Gray; 2006 – present

  • Co-founder, Blue Apple HR Solutions Ltd, Cardiff, 2001 – 2006

  • Management Consultant, Lloyd Masters Consulting, London, 1999 – 2001

  • Graduate trainee, Quality Systems Auditor then Supply Chain Executive, Nestlé UK Limited, 1993 – 1998

Education

  • Portsmouth High School

  • Reading University

  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

I have worked with Darwin Gray for a number of years and the level of service, professionalism and timely response is second to none. I would highly recommend Darwin Gray to any business.”

Becs Beslee
Dice FM Ltd

Darwin Gray have provided us with a first-class service for many years now. They really take the time to understand our business and develop relationships which results in advice and support that is contextualised and effective.”

Rebecca Cooper
ACT Training

We have worked with Darwin Gray for several years and have always found their services and advice to be first class.”

Karen Gale
Stepping Stones Group

An extremely professional and sincere company who make time for your queries and understand the need to break down certain facts and information to ensure everything is understood perfectly. I would highly recommend the company to anyone looking for any type of legal advice”

Gwawr Booth
Portal Training Ltd

PSS has worked with Darwin Gray for many years. We have always received an excellent service. Prompt and professional advice and support.”

Ledia Shabani
Property Support Services UK Ltd

We have used several departments within DG recently and we have been very pleased with an effective, efficient and down to earth service. Very happy thus far and I expect that we will continue to use DG.”

Guto Bebb
Farmers’ Union of Wales

Darwin Gray offer us truly superb services. Very professional, quick and services available bilingually which is very important to us, highly recommend.”

Iwan Hywel
Mentrau Iaith Cymru

My “go to” in urgent and time sensitive cases for direction, support and advice. The team are quick to respond to calls or emails for advice and support on all matters. Always explain complex matters in a way a lay person can easily understand.”

Margot Adams
Guarding UK Ltd

Darwin Gray have acted for myself and my company over a number of years and at all times we have been treated with a professional manner yet maintain a common-sense approach at all levels. We couldn’t recommend them more highly.”

Simon Baston
Loft Co

We have been clients of Darwin Gray for many years; they’ve always dealt with all of our legal matters with such professionalism. They work around us, even during awkward hours, and we feel confident we can always rely on them.”

Louise Williams
ACT Training

Darwin Gray has been acting for Siltbuster for more than ten years. We would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray to other organisations small or large.”

Richard D Coulton
Siltbuster Ltd

From the very first conversation, I had no doubt that Darwin Gray should be the firm to receive our instructions on this matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray.”

Sandra Warr
Tomos TV

We regularly instruct Darwin Gray. Their service in dealing with our transactional matters and disputes is always professional, prompt and efficient.”

John Poppleton
Absolute Property Management Solutions Ltd

Darwin Gray guided me through a long and extended process that would have been much more difficult had it not been for their patience and constant support.”

Ifan Lewis

Excellent and efficient service. Great result achieved, highly professional and transparent on pricing. Would recommend.”

David Stevens

Superb legal service provided. Exceeded expectations. They went above and beyond in order to provide the best service possible.”

Huw Pickrell

Very professional and understanding. They were a calming influence in a very troubling situation and they brought it to a very successful conclusion”

Rachel Jones

We have used Darwin Gray and have been seriously impressed. The personal approach is what Darwin Gray are excelling on and is the reason why we will continue to work with them in the future.”

Cadwyn Housing Association
Darwin Gray Team
Rhodri Morgan
Associate
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Julia Bridge
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Fiona Hughes
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Donald Gray
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Emily Shingler
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Fflur Jones
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Fiona Sinclair
HR Consultant
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Seren Trigg
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Siôn Fôn
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