Greg Guilford (left), chief executive of HR Solutions, with Essential Safety’s managing director Dean Howells
Expertise built up over 25 years has led to a health and safety consultancy in Northamptonshire being acquired by a rapidly expanding HR business.
Essential Safety works with clients in sectors including construction, education, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. Now the Corby-based company has become part of HR services consultancy HR Solutions.
The deal is HR Solutions’ largest to date and its fifth in the past six years. It launched a dedicated health and safety division in October 2020.
Chief executive Greg Guilford said: “Essential Safety has an excellent reputation in the health and safety sector due to the expert knowledge of its consultants and its dedication to clients. As a result of this, the company has secured larger corporate clients, as well as working with SMEs. The company’s 25 years’ experience and its expertise compliments HR Solutions’ offering.”
HR Solutions has been providing advice and support to Essential Safety for the past ten years. The deal means that HR Solutions has significantly expanded its reach in the field by bringing the successful health and safety and fire safety consultancy and its team of 12 experienced and Institution of Occupational Safety and Health-qualified consultants on board.
The company offers services including policy writing, risk assessments, auditing, accident investigation and a ‘Competent Person’ to support businesses ranging from SMEs to larger corporations. Essential Safety also provides CDM and Principal Designer services to clients, designers and contractors.
“Our clients will now have access to a broader range of services and support from a wider team of consultants and advisors,” said Essential Safety managing director Dean Howells. “Helping our clients succeed safely has always been at the heart of everything we do and that will not change. This new alliance will add further investment and impetus into our business and our consultants and advisors will benefit from increased support.”
The acquisition is HR Solutions’ fifth since 2015 when it merged with Business Human Resources Solutions. The business acquired HR Services (UK) in 2017, Crispin Rhodes in 2020 and Cherington HR earlier this year.
Mr Guilford said: “While HR Solutions continues to grow organically, we are excited by the opportunity of acquiring similar business to be able to offer a wider range of services to businesses.”