About us
Part of your management team
We take a very pragmatic approach and through working very closely with our clients, we consider ourselves to be part of their management team. Businesses can face difficult decisions about their team and the best way forward. We can often contribute to that decision making and help our clients find a way to meet their business objectives.
Use the links below to find out more about the team:
Testing times
If you are facing testing times and need to know how best to manage employment related issues or any specific cases, we can help.
Making your company more productive and efficient
You might think that you are too small, or that HR is too expensive, unnecessary or maybe you did not know that you could get this kind of support. But time and time again we are finding ways to save companies, like you, money and make them more productive and efficient.
A flexible service
Our service is very flexible, it can be as much or as little as your business requires at an agreed timescale and rates. It is practical, personal and professional – it just makes good business sense. Based in Edinburgh, Gravitate HR has clients based throughout Scotland and the UK.
Margery McBain
What is your current role?
I am the owner and Managing Director of Gravitate HR – therefore I spend my time working with key clients on developing their approach to HR and our service delivery to all clients. I enjoy delivering HR and growing and managing the business.
What qualifications do you hold?
My first degree is a BSc (Hons) in Food Science from University of Strathclyde. After 10 years work experience I achieved an MBA from University of Edinburgh and I am a Fellow of the CIPD. I have recently become an acredited mediator through Core Solutions and intend to develop mediation practice through Gravitate HR.
How did you get into HR?
I started my management career in the John Lewis Partnership as a Graduate Trainee and over time moved from general management to staff management, where I found my niche.
Why HR?
I believe that people are the very essence of an organisation and that the style of approach and management of all at work significantly influences success (or not). When people are drawn together by common aims and goals – their energy and involvement can bring positive results. HR can assist in bringing people together. The name of the business is based on the concept of drawing people together towards a common purpose – Gravitate.
Recently I have been developing mediation skills and approaches and the attraction of mediation is that it seeks to find common ground, always parties to build on possible solutions and reach agreement. This fits with our values of respect for others, prevention rather than cure and empowering others.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time?
As Managing Director of a successful and established Human Resource Management Consultancy business called Gravitate HR!
What's been your biggest career high so far?
There have been lots – but the personal challenge and satisfaction from starting and growing your own business out beats them all.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My dad was a significant influence in my life, giving me strong work and life ethics. I take inspiration and encouragement from clients and other contacts whom through personal motivation and commitment have successfully grown entrepreneurial businesses.
Describe yourself in three words
Passionate, pragmatic and protective.
Contact me on:
0131 243 1374
margery@gravitatehr.co.uk
Heather McCaig
What is your role at Gravitate HR?
I am a Senior HR Account Manager. I oversee the account managed clients along with the HR Account Managers and HR Assistant.
What qualifications do you hold?
I graduated in June 2007 with 1st Class BA Hons in Business Law from Stirling University and am currently studying for my MSc in Human Resource Management to obtain my CIPD qualification.
How did you get into HR?
I studied business law as my undergraduate degree and my penultimate module was employment law, I then went onto study statutory dismissal procedures as my dissertation. I had exposure to SMEs and multinationals HR whilst I was a student in various guises and this confirmed that this was the path that I wanted to go down. My interests lie in employment law and the balance in employee versus employer rights.
Why HR?
I have always been interested in the balance of employee and employer rights and updates in employment law. I find it fascinating how the law has shifted over recent decades and how this evolves the way people are managed and impacts on employee relations. I also think that the HR function now is recognised to add significant value to businesses, because of the shift in the balance of power.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time?
In 5 years time I aim to be Chartered in CIPD and have a host of experience under by belt! I might even want to do my CIPD employment law exams to specialise. I want to be able to show Managers and Directors that I work with that HR can add significant value to profitability, efficiency and value in their organisation.
What's been your biggest career high so far?
Working with so many different businesses in different capacities on a variety of issues has been a high for me; each day is different and throws up challenges and opportunities.
Describe yourself in three words
Contentious, chatty and intuitive.
Contact me on:
0131 243 1373
Jennifer Grant
What is your current role?
I am currently an HR Account Manager for Gravitate HR, directly supporting various clients, and assisting with others.
What qualifications do you hold?
I graduated from Heriot Watt University with an MA Honors degree in Management with Human Resource Management in 2008. In September this year, I will start a 2 year postgraduate course in Human Resource Management from Napier University, after which I will be CIPD qualified.
Why did you get into HR?
I became interested in this diverse field within my last year of High School whilst studying business management subjects. HR appeared to be the elusive part of a business, but a part that I felt could influence and strengthen a business in so many ways. I wished to pursue this interest further with a degree, which explored the subjectivity and reality of HRM.
How did you get into HR?
I gained specific HR experience in the summer of 2007 at a Corporate HR department; within the recruitment team. Here I had an insight into an HR environment, and it left me eager to learn more about this field. Following my graduation from University, I was delighted to receive an offer from Gravitate HR, which would accelerate my learning and development in HR in different types of business.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time?
I hope to be CIPD qualified and be using my increased knowledge and experience to create stronger links between industries and HR, whilst carrying out project based work in a variety of HR areas, including performance management, basic HR structure and processes and changing attitudes and perceptions of employees.
What's been your biggest career high so far?
Being part of the dedicated team at Gravitate HR, creating relationships with our clients and gaining first hand experience of their HR issues and challenges.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Hard to name one - all of my family and friends - in different ways!.
Describe yourself in three words
Friendly, considerate and hard working.
Contact me on:
0131 225 7458
Rebecca Scott
What is your current role?
I am currently an HR Account Manager for Gravitate HR.
What qualifications do you hold?
I recently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management where I gained graduate membership of the CIPD. Prior to this, I completed a BSc in Psychology at the University of Edinburgh.
Why did you get into HR?
During my degree in psychology, and with an interest in human behaviour and relations, I was informed of the opportunities and rewards within HR. After studying I took a year out to travel before returning and stepping into the role of a Recruitment Consultant. I have now found my two years recruitment experience provided me with a great groundwork for the area of recruitment and selection. I hope now I will gain the skills and knowledge to progress within my chosen career and develop techniques and ways that support both employer and employee.
How did you get into HR?
After two years as a Recruitment Consultant I decided to return to University to begin my career path in HR. I was exposed to the effective development of key business relationships and the importance of attracting and retaining the right people. This is my first role in HR and I hope to play a key part within the team at Gravitate HR.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time?
I hope to build on my knowledge and skills while working at Gravitate HR. Ideally, I want to have played a significant part in the successful growth of the Company, and become a Senior Consultant dealing with a wide variety of businesses in order to gain maximum exposure.
What's been your biggest career high so far?
To date, is having the strength and will to return to University and complete my second qualification in a subject I am enthusiastic about.
Describe yourself in three words
Social, open minded and dedicated.
Contact me on:
0131 243 1371
Elaine Burns
What is your role at Gravitate HR?
I am currently an HR Assistant for Gravitate HR.
How did you get into HR?
During my undergraduate degree in Applied Social Sciences I selected a module in management and organisational behaviour, I found the interrelationships between management operations and the interactions among the people who work within the organisation intriguing and subsequently developed an interest within this area. Upon relocating to Edinburgh, I was offered a Trainee HR role and it was during this experience I decided to further develop my studies in the field of HR.
Why did you decide to join Gravitate HR?
Having met some Gravitate HR employees previously, I understood the work to be exciting and challenging. When the vacancy arose for the position, it felt too good an opportunity to miss. I have been lucky enough to be offered a position within the Gravitate HR team.
What have been the biggest highlights in your career/life so far?
When I took the decision to return to university to study for a MSc in Human Resource Management a few years after my undergraduate studies. The area of HR really interests me and by studying for the Masters will hopefully start my career path within HR.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I hope to develop my understanding, knowledge and skills, while employed by Gravitate HR, gaining generalist skills and to be able to progress within the company.
How would other people describe you?
Honest, reliable and sociable.
Meet our Support Team
We work closely with Dunedin IT who are our IT Support Team and Julie who provides bookkeeping and administrative back up.
David Inglis
David is a non executive director of Gravitate HR and is an experienced IT Director having worked in retailing, professional services and leading a team of managed services IT professionals. David works closely with the Gravitate HR team to develop and implement the IT strategy to ensure effective use of IT technologies to produce, share and store information that is central to an HR consultancy.
» View David's profile on LinkedIn
Jamie Clague
Jamie is the MD of Dunedin IT, the outsourced IT support provider to Gravitate HR, working to make sure that the team stay online and fully functional 24/7 to meet the needs of the clients and protect the integrity of all the IT processes and functionalities.
» View Jamie’s professional profile on LinkedIn
Julie Osborne
Julie Osborne is a key member of the team processing accounts information, preparing management information and keeping all administration up to date. This allows us to focus on the business and providing HR services to our clients. You can contact Julie at Julie@gravitatehr.co.uk.
