CASE STUDIES

As a growing renewable energy installer with engineers working across the UK and its head office in Newcastle, Next Generation Utilities relies on clear, consistent HR support to help its people and its business thrive.

After many years of operating with an in-house HR department, the company found itself at a crossroads when its long-serving HR Manager retired. Rather than recruiting for the role, the team decided to explore outsourced HR support for the first time.

And like so many businesses making that transition, they wanted a trusted partner who could provide experienced guidance while becoming an extension of their team.

The challenge

Needless to say, moving from an internal HR function to an outsourced service was a big change for Next Generation Utilities.

Without a dedicated HR Manager in place, the business needed confidence that employees would still have access to professional support whenever they needed it. At the same time, the company wanted to review and update its existing HR policies to reflect current legislation and best practice.

In short, they were looking for a responsive, approachable team that understood the needs of a growing North East business and could provide practical advice whenever HR issues arose.

The solution

We worked closely with Next Generation Utilities from the outset, taking the time to understand how the business operated and what support it needed.

Following an initial visit from our Director, Michael, at the company’s Newcastle head office, we developed a tailored outsourced HR solution that provided both strategic guidance and day-to-day support.

We reviewed and updated the company’s HR policies, giving the business confidence that its documentation reflected current employment law and good practice. Just as importantly, we became a dedicated point of contact for managers and employees, providing timely advice and ongoing HR support whenever questions or issues arose.

By integrating seamlessly into the business, we were able to provide all the benefits of an experienced HR department without the need for an in-house team.

The result

The partnership began at exactly the right time. Having spotted Sapphire HR featured on the front cover of Team Valley Group‘s Business Networx magazine (now North East Network magazine), Next Generation Utilities made contact, and after meeting Michael in person, quickly decided they had found the right HR partner.

Since then, the business has benefited from responsive support, practical advice and straightforward HR guidance tailored to each situation, allowing managers to focus on running the business while knowing expert help is always close at hand.

Reflecting on the experience, Carl Finnigan of Next Generation Utilities said:

“The service Sapphire HR provide has been fantastic with great response times, advice, and templates to suit each case. Sapphire HR have filled our HR gap seamlessly.”

For us, it’s exactly the type of partnership we strive to build: providing commercially focused HR support that feels like a natural extension of the businesses we work with.

If your business is looking for practical, responsive HR support without the overhead of an in-house team, we’re here to help. Whether you’re reviewing policies, managing employee relations, or just need expert advice when challenges arise, our team can provide tailored support that works for your organisation. Get in touch today.