Member News
A North East business launched by an HR expert just months after she gave birth has turned 15 – with the company expanding into a new office.
Darlington’s Sasha Warr founded Outsourced HR in 2010, just as she was preparing to return to her corporate career following maternity leave.
“Everyone said I was mad for making that jump as we’d just had the 2009 financial crash, but I backed myself and 15 years later, Outsourced HR is thriving,” said Sasha.
Having enjoyed steady year-on-year growth, the company will move into its new HQ at Lingfield Point on November 1st, with plans to recruit their fifth HR consultant by early 2026.
Having only moved into Business Central in November 2023 Sasha said Outsourced HR's second office move in as many years demonstrates the "exciting" speed in which the business is growing - growth fuelled by a surge in demand from local SMEs to support their business.
Additionally, Outsourced HR has now launched a “unique” new service to help businesses end workplace disputes – by getting both sides talking.
Currently workplace disputes cost UK businesses around £28bn-a-year, but Sasha hopes the Workplace Mediation Service will help them end disputes early – preventing them from spiralling into bigger problems down the line.
“Workplace conflicts happen, but with mediation, you can turn what could be a negative into a positive - and allow your business to grow,” said Sasha, an HR consultant.
“Companies often rush to the grievance stage when informal mediation could have prevented that.
"However, mediation is immensely beneficial in helping businesses move forward without the stress, time and cost of formal action.”
While the Workplace Mediation Service is morally rather than legally binding, evidence shows it is highly effective.
Previous research carried out by Menzies Law found that in 74 per cent of cases, mediation prevented a dispute from reaching the point of formal action.
One North East Managing Director, who asked to remain anonymous, turned to Outsourced HR’s new mediation service.
“Outsourced Mediation recently helped us resolve a sensitive situation within our business,” said the MD.
“It was critical that the mediation went well, and it did. Their skill, patience and emotional intelligence brought the matter to a conclusion which exceeded our expectations.”
The new service offers businesses a safe, neutral space where differences can be addressed with the expert support of two Outsourced HR consultants, Rebecca Iles and Alison Stephenson – both qualified mediators.
The offering is particularly unique as both mediators have dual perspective as they are also highly trained, experienced HR professionals.
They help make up a team of highly-skilled and trained HR experts, who collectively possess over 80 years’ experience having held senior roles for major household names.
Founder Sasha was Head of HR in London for major international companies like the Renault Retail Group and Toshiba.
However, after discovering her passion was for SMEs, she founded Outsourced HR to provide businesses in her home region with practical and reliable support.
Located in Darlington, Outsourced HR works with a variety of clients across Teesside and the wider North-East, with clients from a broad spectrum of industries including construction, manufacturing and primary care settings.
For Mediator Rebecca , the new service not only expands Outsourced HR's offering but also provides a service that could make a real difference to businesses caught in a conflict.
"Workplace conflict will always exist, but it can drain morale and reduce productivity," added Rebecca.
"Our aim is to give North East businesses a practical alternative that has been shown to nip conflicts in the bud at a far earlier stage.
"It focusses on finding a solution, rather than apportioning blame.
"We do that by working on building a better understanding between the parties, with a solution that can restore workplace harmony and ensure everyone can move on - and move the business forward - together."
