In this blog, we speak to Lesa Ford, HR and Operations Coordinator who joined the Gravitate HR team in October 2023. We ask Lesa about her journey prior to joining the team and her role with Gravitate HR.

Tell us about yourself, how did you get into HR and what brought you to Gravitate?

I originally joined the business in 2023, and my role has evolved over time into a varied and practical position, which is exactly what I enjoy about it – no two days are quite the same.

My background combines both academic study and practical experience across HR, business, and support roles. I hold degrees in Human Resource Management and Business, both of which gave me a strong grounding in both people-focused work and how organisations operate.

Alongside this, I’ve built experience in HR, marketing, and PA-style support roles, which has helped me develop a flexible, hands-on approach and a good understanding of how different parts of a business connect.

What is your Day to Day role?

I was promoted in May 2025 to HR & Operations Coordinator from HR Admin, reflecting the broader scope of my role across HR, operations, and marketing support.

On the HR side, I work with policies and procedures, and I particularly enjoy developing, updating, and maintaining HR handbooks and policies. I also support onboarding processes for new starters and deal with HR-related enquiries, helping to make sure information is clear, consistent, and directed where it needs to go.

I also provide general HR administration support across a range of day-to-day activities, including HR records and database updates, onboarding support, documentation, communication, and recruitment-related coordination when required.

Operations & Behind the Scenes

A large part of my role sits within operations and the “behind the scenes” running of the business. This includes processing expenses, supporting procurement of services and office supplies, liaising with suppliers, and working with external providers such as IT support to keep systems and licenses running effectively.

I also support onboarding, helping to organise equipment, system access, and setup for new starters so they can get up and running smoothly.

Marketing & Communication

Alongside HR and operations, I support marketing activity across the business. This includes creating and sending newsletters, writing and updating content, and helping keep the website up to date.

I also schedule LinkedIn posts, support social media planning, and assist with coordinating events and communications to help ensure consistency across our messaging and activity.

What is the best thing about your job?

What I enjoy most is the variety and the balance between structure and flexibility. I particularly enjoy working on policies, procedures, and HR handbooks, as I like the detail involved in creating clear and consistent documentation.

I also enjoy the behind-the-scenes nature of my role ; making sure things are organised, practical, and running smoothly so the wider team can focus on their priorities. I do love being organised; a solid spreadsheet and my page-a-day diary are very much my happy place. Chaos doesn’t stand much of a chance for long.

What do you do outside of work?

I enjoy spending time with my teenage son and my family. I love swimming and walking, and I’m also a regular gym goer – although I enjoy the gym most when the session is over! To relax, I love writing poetry and reading.

Want to find out more about how our HR services can help your business? Get in touch at: info@gravitatehr.co.uk