About Ostara HR
Where HR magic meets workplace transformation
Hello, I'm Sarah
A Chartered HR professional with over two decades of experience transforming people practices across organisations of all sizes.
Throughout my career, I've been asking, "There's got to be a better way of doing this, right?" That persistent question has been my guiding star, pushing me to reimagine how HR can work smarter, feel lighter, and boost both joy and productivity in every corner of your organisation.
My approach always blends professional expertise with a dash of magic and a commitment to making things better than they were before. Whether I'm handling sensitive employee relations cases, streamlining complex HR workflows, optimising systems, or crafting policies that actually make sense to humans, I bring both structure and creativity to every challenge.
Beyond the world of HR, I'm a rock music enthusiast who brings that same energy and passion to everything I do. The creativity, authenticity, and bold spirit of rock music influences my approach to business and life. I'm also drawn to worlds of imagination (from Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings) and believe in building things piece by piece (sometimes literally with Lego!). Like any great band needs different instruments working in harmony, I understand the importance of balancing my various roles as a mum, partner, sister, and friend—a perspective that enriches my understanding of today's workplace challenges.
The Magic Behind Our Name
When I founded this consultancy, I wanted a name that would capture both the essence of what we do and the spirit of how we do it. Ostara isn't just a business name—it's a philosophy, a promise, and a personal connection.
Ostara (or Eostre) is the Germanic goddess of dawn, spring, and renewal—the perfect embodiment of transformation and new beginnings. Just as she heralds the awakening of nature after winter's slumber, Ostara HR brings fresh energy and innovative approaches to workplaces that may have grown rigid or uninspired.
In ancient traditions, Ostara represents the perfect balance between light and dark at the spring equinox—mirroring our approach of balancing structured AND flexible, compliant AND creative, business-focused AND deeply human HR practices.
There's a bit of magic in the timing too—I was born during the season of Ostara, when the world awakens with possibility and renewal. This personal connection to the name reminds me daily of our mission to breathe new life into traditional HR functions.
Symbols That Inspire Our Work
The Hare
Intuition & Agility in HR
Known for its intuition and quick thinking, the hare represents our agility in responding to complex HR challenges with both wisdom and creativity.
The Dawn
Awakening New Possibilities
When possibilities are awakening but not yet fully formed, the dawn encapsulates those magical moments when we help clients see that there truly is "a better way" to approach HR.
My Journey
Two Decades of HR Transformation
From Administrative Roles to Strategic Leadership
My HR journey spans over 20 years, evolving from early administrative roles to strategic leadership positions across organisations ranging from SMEs to FTSE 100 companies with 15,000+ employees. As a Chartered Member of the CIPD with a background in Law, I've had the privilege of transforming HR practices across the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America.
My experience has taken me through diverse sectors including International Development, professional services, financial services and insurance, veterinary and retail, higher education, housing associations, and hospitality. This varied background has honed my ability to understand unique organisational cultures and deliver HR solutions that truly work for different environments.
Throughout this journey, I've consistently delivered measurable business impact: achieving a 16% uplift in global engagement scores, reducing employee relations escalations by 30%, and generating £200K cost savings through innovative HR approaches. I've led HRIS implementations, managed complex change programmes, and developed award-winning employee relations initiatives.
Just as Ostara represents renewal and transformation, my career has been dedicated to helping businesses transform through people-centred HR practices. I combine deep expertise in employee relations, policy development, systems implementation, and digital transformation with a passionate belief that work should feel less like work and more like a fulfilling journey of growth and discovery.
My Approach & Values
Strategic insight with practical magic
My approach to HR transformation is built piece by piece, like a complex but beautiful structure. I believe that when the right elements connect properly—policies, systems, people practices, and organizational culture—they create something far greater than the sum of their parts. Every piece matters, from the foundational blocks of compliance to the decorative elements that make your workplace culture unique.
Integrity
Honest & Transparent Relationships
I believe in honest, transparent relationships built on trust. You'll always get straightforward advice and realistic assessments, even when they're challenging to hear.
Empathy
People at the Heart of Solutions
Understanding the human experience in the workplace drives everything I do. I put people at the heart of HR solutions, ensuring practices work for real individuals, not just processes.
Fairness
Balancing Diverse Needs
I champion equitable practices that balance diverse needs while meeting business requirements. Fair doesn't always mean equal—it means thoughtful consideration of individual circumstances within organisational frameworks.
Creativity
Fresh Thinking & Innovative Solutions
I approach challenges with fresh thinking, bringing innovative solutions and that touch of magic to everyday HR practices. There's always a better way when we're willing to reimagine possibilities.
Areas of Expertise
Transformative HR expertise across key business areas
Every HR transformation is a journey that requires both vision and practical steps. Whether you're embarking on a complete HR overhaul or seeking to enhance specific elements, I provide the map, resources, and guidance needed to reach your destination successfully.
Let's Work Together
With Ostara HR, you get a blend of deep HR expertise, commercial understanding, and creative thinking—all focused on reimagining HR in a way that brings out the best in your people and your business.
Let's unlock the magic in your workplace together!