Our Team
Employment Law, HR & Mediation Specialist
Laura Bowyer
Laura is a highly skilled and accomplished professional, known for her expertise in Employment Law, HR, and Mediation. Since establishing The Affable Partnership in August 2011, Laura has cultivated an impressive track record of success, helping numerous organisations navigate complex matters. The founder of The Affable Partnership, she brings a unique blend of legal knowledge and interpersonal skills to provide exceptional services to her clients. With a remarkable ability to seamlessly integrate herself into any business environment, Laura ensures that her clients receive a top-tier experience tailored to their specific needs.
Executive Assistant to Laura Bowyer
Kara Birrell
Kara works alongside Laura, assisting with marketing, administration, organisation and making sure The Affable Partnership house remains 'in order'.
​
Kara comes from a career in business management, mainly within the Hospitality sector. This has given her a comprehensive understanding of HR needs, both from an employer's perspective, but also as an employee. Customer relations, efficient operations, marketing and finance were also skills Kara gained as a Hotel Manager, all of which have helped her become an integral part of Laura's business. ​​​
Health & Wellbeing
Bryan Palmer
Bryan is a long standing member of the team. He has spent 20 years discussing and researching questions raised by mental health illness and the issues it creates for individuals, employees and for companies. He has a unique perspective on mental illness, maintaining wellbeing, recovery and challenges of creating a practical work-life balance. Bryan has run a weekly self-help group with the Depression Alliance & Solent Mind for 9 years, for people experiencing mental illness and has been a Solent Mind board member since 2013. He collaborates on several mental health research programmes run by Southampton University for the HHS.
Nutrition & Health Coach
Hilary J. Abbott
Hilary is a registered nutrition expert with the Federation of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners (FNTP). She helps individuals, small groups, and organizations improve health through essential nutrition, healthy lifestyle habits, and an empowered mindset. Her business combines her psychology education and experience as a private chef. She believes it’s never too late to transform health, and good nutrition can fit into busy schedules without adding stress. Hilary’s corporate wellness programs highlight that "good health is good business," boosting productivity and reducing absenteeism.
Certified Menopause Trainer & Coach
Sophie Cartledge
Sophie works with organisations to ensure that both employees and employers are fully supported when it comes to menopause. This can benefit employers by reducing the costs involved with members of staff leaving, going part-time, increased sickness levels or tribunals related to menopause. She believes that by being proactive in this area, we will create more menopause inclusive environments where all staff feel equipped to manage open conversations and feel comfortable enough to have them. Sophie is passionate about supporting the local community. She runs support groups, talks and workshops to share her lived experience and knowledge to help women advocate for their own health.
HR Cloud Software Specialist
Maddie Hirschler
Maddie is our HR Cloud Software specialist, offering comprehensive support to our clients while also nurturing positive workplace culture in SMEs. With a keen eye for detail and deep software expertise, she works closely with clients, ensuring they maximise potential for streamlining processes. Maddie goes beyond solving technical issues, she helps businesses manage HR more efficiently while fostering an environment that sparks innovation and enhances employee satisfaction. Recognising that the software is a catalyst for positive change within companies, Maddie takes a holistic approach, considering not only the technical aspects but the broader impact on a company's success and workforce well-being.
Health & Safety and Compliance
Kevin Jones
Kevin retired from the Army in 2006 as a Major, after a distinguished military career. During his last eight years of service, he held a pivotal role overseeing Health & Safety, Food Safety and Environmental Compliance on a global scale, demonstrating his commitment to excellence. Transitioning into civilian life, Kevin continued to excel in compliance management, taking on in-house leadership roles at esteemed companies like Carillion, ISS Defence & ISS Education. These positions entailed extensive UK-wide responsibilities, solidifying his reputation as an authority. With over two decades of experience in this field, Kevin's unwavering dedication to operational compliance remains a hallmark of his career.
Digital Management Consultant
David Taylor
A business communications specialist boasting nearly three decades of expertise across various domains, including journalism, in-house media relations, PR, marketing, and social media training. He has guided numerous enterprises through successful transformations. With a well-documented history, he's adept at crafting and executing strategies that fuel business expansion. In the current climate dominated by digital dynamics, David's role has evolved to assisting diverse organisations in surviving, competing and truly flourishing. His adaptive approach ensures clients are equipped to navigate the ever-evolving digital marketplace.
Commercial Legal Consultancy
Heather Stanford-Gould
Qualifying as a solicitor in 1992, spending the next 20 years working in a private practice, local government, and legal recruitment. Initially focused on general litigation, she later honed her expertise in commercial dispute resolution. With a diverse background, including running a law firm as Managing Partner and serving as an SME Operations & Business Manager, she possesses firsthand insights into the challenges of business management. Her skill set encompasses resolving matters concerning commercial property, employment, contracts for goods & services, as well as disputes among directors and shareholders - among other essential areas.
Sustainability Professional
Gavin Lendon
Gavin is a qualified Sustainability Professional with the Global Reporting Initiative. Gavin has provided advice to a wide range of clients from multi nationals to small charities. Each assignment is unique and every client is treated as such. Taking a holistic approach to sustainability, he believes that climate action on its own will not fully address the problems the human race is facing and hence he also champions biodiversity and circular business systems. Gavin says: ‘our role is to educate, initiate and manage positive change within the business community’. He worked in mergers, aquisitions and project finance in the city for 20 years and has a good understanding of corporate strategy.
"The Affable Partnership are amazing we have used them within our independent business to manage HR for years. No matter the problem big or small they are there with great advise, knowledge and support. Everything is completed to the highest standard and always on time.
The staff look forward to their 1:2:1's with Laura as do I she is a fountain of knowledge and joy."
Sophie Sales