Midlands law firm appoints HR manager

Law firm Sydney Mitchell has hired Sharon Levell as HR manager to drive and deliver its people strategy, employee engagement and support, and recruitment and retention policies.

As HR manager at Sydney Mitchell, Sharon is responsible for the operation and implementation of all elements of the firm’s HR operations for its 100-plus workforce that operates throughout the Midlands via its office network in Birmingham, Solihull and Shirley.

A highly experienced HR specialist and practitioner, Sharon holds the Complete Advanced HR Diploma qualification, and Certificates in payroll, employment contracts and employee handbooks.

Sharon joins the firm from Love Finance in Birmingham, where, as HR manager, she led the creation and delivery of its HR strategy, including an ambitious recruitment and retention programme to enable its growth plans, which saw it grow its team from 30 to a 90-plus headcount in 18-months.

Dean Parnell, partner and joint head of the firm’s Birmingham office, says: “Sharon joins the firm during an exciting period where we are looking to build up a stronger internal infrastructure in order to help support our ambitious growth plans.

“The firm’s commitment to exceptional client service and its supportive culture are central to our values and philosophy, and our people are at the heart of this.

“Sharon’s skills and experience will enable the firm to build on this solid foundation, as she creates and delivers programmes and policies to continue our recruitment and retention, as well as employee engagement and DE&I strategies.”

Sharon adds: “This is a rare opportunity to support a 260-year old firm in the next stage of its growth and history.

“My goal is to ensure the firm and its people have everything needed to excel, by using my inherent enthusiasm and professional desire to provide all the practical and holistic tools and environment to foster a caring, positive and happy culture for the firm’s most valuable asset, its people.”

Pictured (L-R): Joint head of Sydney Mitchell’s Birmingham office Dean Parnell with the firm’s new HR manager Sharon Levell