Following a period of rapid growth and a strategic takeover, Future Advanced Manufacture Ltd (FutureAM) partnered with HR People Support to build a strong HR foundation, focusing on compliance, employee development, and cultural cohesion. With HRPS as their dedicated HR partner, FutureAM has fostered a high-performance, compliant workplace that empowers managers and supports its skilled workforce across various technical industries.

Future Advanced Manufacture Ltd (FutureAM) has a single-minded vision to help the world’s best engineers and designers turn ideas, concepts, and designs into highly engineered prototypes through to full scale production. Their expertise and technical ability support the aerospace, oil & gas, medical, and defence industries – delivering reliable, safety-critical components, and integrated systems solutions. Designers and engineers develop and evolve ideas through to finished prototypes using state-of-the-art technology and advanced manufacturing processes.

Following a takeover in 2021, the new FutureAM leadership team set about establishing a clear organisational structure and a working culture based on high performance, trust and personal development. New directors had been recruited and with around 70 full time employees they needed to ensure all aspects of HR policy and procedure were fully compliant and in place. Without a dedicated HR team, they asked HR People Support (HRPS) to help them develop the building blocks required to support the new organisation. Says Ashok D’Sa – FutureAM’s Chairman and Managing Director:

“Prior to our takeover the company had seen steady growth over recent years, and it had reached a point where more formalised HR processes and policies were needed, alongside greater employee motivation and personal development. We don’t have a dedicated HR department and we needed an expert third-party partner to work with on these immediate priorities, and on our continuing journey – HRPS is just such an organisation.”

The company handbook, HR policies, processes, and documentation were reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with all aspects of employment law, and to recognise staff loyalty and improve productivity, they improved work life balance benefits such as leave entitlement and working practices. New reporting lines were created across the workforce giving departmental managers direct responsibility for their people.

Simultaneously, and with the help of HRPS, a programme of skills development was introduced across the business. Managers were trained in team leadership skills, and Personal Development Plans (PDPs) were introduced across the entire workforce.

Inevitably in a developing business of this size there are times when redundancies and staff turnover issues need to be addressed. This critical area needs to be handled professionally and compassionately to enable the business to focus on its priorities. Continues Ashok:

“Our business success relies on people and the skills they bring. Ad-hoc HR issues will always crop up and they can be very time consuming, so it’s great to have HRPS’s help when such matters arise. Having listened closely to our needs and working with our leadership team, Helen really understands our business. She sourced a trainer to upskill our line managers and she worked with us to develop the processes and documentation for staff PDPs. Everything has been designed to build confidence, accountability, and empowerment throughout the company.”

The contracts and projects worked on by FutureAM are predominantly handled by company’s workforce of over 70 people, but occasionally, there’s a need bring in consultants and contractors to support projects. HRPS reviewed and clarified the way contracting is handled to ensure full compliance with IR35 requirements.

With the basics in place and a new working culture established – the company is going from strength to strength. Future AM have a contract with HRPS for a number of support hours each month, and they’re seen as the company’s HR department. Hours are scaled up or down as required and the model is an ideal fit for both organisations. Concludes Ashok:

“Elevating an already successful business and driving it towards higher levels of performance requires careful planning and handling. People need to feel trusted and empowered to make that journey with you, and the team at HRPS have been core to our development and growth.  We’ve industrialised the HR side of the organisation and we work closely with Helen on a continual journey towards people management excellence. HRPS are very responsive to our needs and they’re always available if we need help at short notice, their HR expertise and competence is invaluable to us.”