Julie Grabham is the JG in JG HR Solutions Limited, a multi-award-winning Independent HR Consultant and business owner. In celebration of World Storytelling Day, Julie shares her story of how she became an expert in all things human resources.
Julie grew up in the South Wales valleys and became a mum at the ages of 15 and 17, before moving to near Porthcawl. Being a young mother has been Julie’s inspiration for success in both her personal life and in business.
She began her career as a checkout operator in a local supermarket, before moving into customer service and discovering a passion for people management. Julie studied around her family and worked in various sectors to gain widespread HR experience alongside her many qualifications, including chartered membership of the CIPD.
Having gained an extensive background in operational & strategic HR and an understanding of
how excellent HR is essential to the daily running and growth of small businesses, Julie launched JG HR Solutions in 2015.
Located in West Wales with a base in South Wales, the business became a limited company in 2018, providing strategic outsourced HR solutions and case management to a wide range of sectors across Wales, England, and Dublin.
Julie’s thirst for personal development has continued throughout her career, as she continually upskills herself in employment law, best practice, and current HR trends. In addition to being active in HR networks and delivering presentations on the need for HR in small businesses at events, Julie is also a mentor for Business Wales, Big Ideas Wales, and PRIME Cymru, through which she’s had tea with Prince Charles twice!
Her strong reputation has seen Julie become an ambassador for the West Wales branch of Institute of Directors, a board member of Antur Cymru and a member of a number of business clubs.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Julie rose to the challenges presented by lockdown to ensure clients had unlimited support through the many difficulties. This included taking remote working to the next level by delivering HR advice from her garden shed.
#HRFromMyShed delighted clients and is just one example of how Julie is not afraid to be different and make a difference.
Her hard work and passion have earned Julie a number of finalist positions and awards including, Winner of HR Consultant of Wales 2019, finalist in Wales Professional Woman of the Year, finalist in UK HR & Recruitment Provider and highly commended in the Wales CIPD awards for Best Use of External Provider.
Having achieved incredible success in her career, Julie couldn’t wish for better at home either. Her daughters are now both thriving in their own careers, and she enjoys spending time with her husband Alun, her girls, which include four granddaughters, plus her two Dobermanns, Rosie and Odin.
Julie is passionate about supporting animal rescues, providing free HR support, donations, home checks and transporting dogs to safety for Greenacres Animal Rescue and Dobermann Rescue UK and Europe. She is also the founder of Wales Dobermann Walks, bringing Dobermanns and owners together and raising money for Dobermann rescues.
Julie has also raised £1,000 for The Pettifor Trust by completing ‘20 in 2020’, a series of runs from 5k to her first half a marathon.
Julie’s story is inspiration that no matter your journey, you can achieve what you want to achieve.
With a common-sense approach, Julie understands her clients and provides bespoke services to fulfill her passion for making a difference in the workplace, with policies to support menopause, bereavement, and disability leave.
To learn more about how JG HR Solutions can make a difference with your business, get in touch via the contact form: https://www.jghrsolutions.com/