James joined the Gravitate HR team in June 2025 and in this blog he talks about his experience and what he loves about working in HR.
Tell us about yourself, how did you get into HR and what brought you to Gravitate HR?
Hello! I’m thrilled to introduce myself as part of the small but mighty team here at Gravitate HR. With a decade of experience under my belt, across both in-house and consultant roles, I’ve had the privilege of working with a real variety of different organisations, from small businesses and start-ups, charities and not-for-profits, to much larger organisations and public bodies.
My journey into the world of HR has been a little unconventional, as I initially set out on a very different path to become a primary school teacher. This was driven by my own passion for education and wanting to nurture the feeling in others. However, as I gained more experience and explored opportunities in my career, I discovered the complexities of organisational culture piqued my interest. This, alongside the connection between work and the genuine lives of the people carrying it out, led me to pivot into a career focused around human resources management.
Each experience has helped shape my approach to people consultancy, and I’m excited to bring that wealth of knowledge to our clients.
What aspect of HR and your job are you particularly passionate about?
Working as a consultant means I have the opportunity to learn how different leaders and industries think about what ‘HR’ really means to them, and what drives their approach to the people within their organisations. I find this incredibly interesting to know there are always different approaches and considerations to navigate in any given situation, and exploring this dynamic with different clients is what keeps me engaged.
I believe that HR isn’t just about compliance and policies; it’s about building positive relationships and creating environments where teams can do their best work. For me, this means the HR function of any organisation has the opportunity to craft strategies that resonate with them personally, can help shape the business, and drive attitudes which promote good practices and strong ethics on a day-to-day basis. I’m particularly passionate about finding that sweet spot where legal compliance meets the everyday realities of running a business and my background, which includes qualifications in human resources management, marketing and employment law, I think, gives me a unique perspective on how to align people strategies with real business objectives.
I’ve navigated complex change management processes and have a strong focus in supporting SMEs to develop tailored solutions for their people. Whether it’s helping a small charity enhance its workplace culture or guiding a large organisation through a significant transition, my goal is always to deliver an integrated people service that is human and meets the needs of both the business and its team.
What do you do outside of work?
When I’m not diving into HR strategies, you might find me exploring the beaches around the west coast of Scotland with my two dogs, attempting some amateur photography, trying out a new recipe (some sources may say just making a mess in the kitchen!) or getting stuck into a true crime podcast.
Reach out and I look forward to working with you in the near future!
