Mel Kinsella has been on quite a journey from West Bromwich to Carlisle, via the United States and Edinburgh.
With more than 25 years’ experience in people management working across different sectors including local government, civil service, fire and rescue and education, Mel launched her own HR consultancy, Kinsella HR Solutions Limited in January 2023.
“Running my own business is much more meaningful because I can set the purpose for each client.
“Rather than being a part of a rigid corporate structure, I bring an outside perspective in to the workplace that helps organisations to support their staff effectively.
“Staff who feel well supported and valued by their organisation are happier and more productive,” said Mel.
With HR services increasingly being outsourced, Mel noticed a gap in the market for SMEs looking to reduce costs and increase efficiency with the added benefit of her expertise.
Mel’s growing list of clients includes charities, creative arts, funeral directors, public sector organisations and a public relations agency and in just seven months, the business is growing.
“My skills and expertise are transferable and is not limited to any one sector. I am versatile and can deliver results for any business.
“My aim is always to focus on the needs of my clients when dealing with people issues within an organisation, and I endeavour to understand the interests and needs of people to make the links necessary to achieve a successful outcome for all,” said Mel.
Based in Carlisle, Mel is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and works across the North West, North East and southern Scotland.
She has overcome a number of challenges during her career, from handling the bureaucracy of local government to overcoming racial prejudice.
“People still make assumptions about my heritage and where I am from, it’s just part of my life and I am used to dealing with it.
“I have generally always felt very welcome in Cumbria and while there aren’t many other people that look like me, I do think the county is more diverse than it was 15 years ago when I first moved here,” said Mel.
Having lived and worked in the United States in her twenties and stints in Edinburgh and Glasgow before settling in Carlisle, Mel has adapted to life in an area that’s much less racially diverse than where she has lived previously.
“I have also found that organisations like to use words such as ‘diverse’ to describe their workforce or recruitment protocols, with no real understanding of what that means.
“I think my life experience – both professionally and personally – is the USP of my business, it’s helped me to develop a set of versatile skills which I enjoy applying to help organisations achieve their people management objectives,” adds Mel.
Mel’s range of HR expertise covers all areas of people management strategy, including recruitment and selection processes, retention of staff, investment in people, leadership and management development.
“I aim to take the stress out of any stressful workplace situation by supporting and assisting clients with the guidance and insight they require.
“Organisations that work with me can be confident that I will listen to their needs, discuss recommendations and deliver a practical solution that meets their specific requirements.
“The success of my clients is also my success,” said Mel.
