Mel is the Managing Director of Optimal HR & Optimal Recruitment Services. Mel has over 25 years’ experience in HR & Organisation Design and worked in both UK & global roles at Executive level before setting up her own Outsourcing business which has gone from strength to strength.
Over the last 10 years Mel has worked with Clients focused on transformational change or who are going through some form of significant challenge. She has extensive experience in mergers & acquisitions and integration programmes, business modelling & redesign (Organisation Design) and building or restructuring HR functions. Her sector experience includes Financial Services, Manufacturing & Engineering, Education, Retail, Transportation, Legal and Insurance Services and Social Housing to name a few.
Mel has a real passion for effective people management and working with organisations to build high performing businesses.
In addition to running the Optimal businesses, Mel is also a Trustee & Director at at Unmasked Mental Health.
More about Mel
I love walking and gardening, I try to walk at least a couple times every week and I’m in training to climb Mount Killimanjaro. I also have a beautiful greenhouse which I spend lots of time in when I’m working in the garden. As well as growing many lovely plants, I also grow lots of my own fruit and vegetables.
My favourite holiday type is always a sunny beach holiday and anywhere hot, somewhere I can properly chill out and relax. My favourite holiday destination so far has to have been the Maldives, its so tranquil and relaxing.
A long walk with my dogs on Saturday is always on the cards if it is possible. Takeaway and a glass of wine on a Friday or Saturday night and a day pottering in my garden is a good Sunday. Both are very therapeutic and I find they are really good for my mental well-being.
Oh I love all sorts, from popular 60’s, 70’s & 80’s pop songs to Adele, Sam Smith, Lewis Capaldi and Selena Gomez. I love all sorts.
I have two dogs who are my world. Jeff is a 11 year old working Cocker Spaniel who we have had for two years. He adores water and is the most loyal and protective dog I’ve probably ever had. I also have Lucy who is an 10 year old Jack Russell. We’ve had Lucy since she was a couple of months old and she is definitely a man dogs, she falls in love with every man who comes to the house, the Postman, the Gardener, my sons, everyone!
This is a difficult one for me, I’ve had so many people influence my career. My Mum & Dad had a strong work ethic so this has always influenced me to be a hard worker and put effort in. A CEO I used to work with also really encouraged me to start up on my own and was a great mentor for me for many years and I still reflect on the many conversations we used to have. There’s many people I have learnt from during my career and I am really appreciative of everything people have taught me. I’m not really influenced by famous people.
What our clients say
Optimal People and Business are experts in all things HR. We worked successfully with them to produce a series of information videos to help businesses during the Corona lockdown. We are looking forward to working with them again in the near future as we grow our business.
We personally dealt with Vici at Optimal and she was a delight. She was open and honest and gave great advice and guidance. She helped us deal with what could have been a very difficult dismissal with a problematic member of staff. I would not hesitate to recommend Vici to any business for their HR.
Can’t thank Mel and the team enough. Really helped my business in a crisis. Looking forward to working with you and the team.
Brilliant service, friendly staff, lovely team
Amazing service and support from extremely knowledgeable people, who also take great care in the standard of their work. Can't fault them, thank you so much!
5* all round, Mel was extremely helpful and answered all my questions, very friendly and professional. Recommended to others and would definitely use again. Thank you again Mel and Helen.
Mel and her team are fantastic, help me all along the way with some complex issues. Couldn't recommend more.
I've used Optimal PBS on a couple of occasions now to assist with due diligence on an acquisition i've been working on and also to provide contract and handbook production. Cannot fault the support or advice provided.
We love this company and Mel is a god send to our business, she sorted everything for us from employee contracts to helping us source the right accountant, she is at the end of the phone whenever I have any HR questions (even when on holiday) can not fault her commitment. Keep up the good work!