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Mel Stead
Strategic HR Professional *HR Outsourcing * Organisation Design and Change Management * Executive Coach * Non-Executive Director & Trustee
Professional Background
Mel Stead is a seasoned professional in the Human Resources and Organizational Development arena, serving as the Managing Director of Optimal People & Business Services Ltd. In this role, Mel leads a dedicated team that specializes in comprehensive HR outsourcing services tailored to meet the diverse needs of various sectors, including Education, Health & Social Care, Legal & Professional Services, and Hospitality. With a genuine end-to-end service approach, the organization supports clients through every aspect of the HR lifecycle, from administration to strategic implementation, as well as training, recruitment, and payroll services.
Mel's expertise encompasses building and aligning people strategies with business models, resulting in enhanced employee engagement and optimized organizational performance. The combination of a strong educational foundation and years of practical experience in HR has enabled Mel to effectively navigate the complexities of workforce management, ensuring that the organizations he collaborates with are well-equipped to achieve their strategic goals.
Education and Achievements
Mel has pursued extensive education in HR and Organizational Development, acquiring certifications and qualifications that underscore his expertise in the field. He has completed the CIPD Advanced Award in Organizational Development and holds a Diploma in Neuro Linguistic Programming. Additionally, Mel has successfully completed the ILM Level 5 Management Development Programme, which showcases his commitment to evolving as a leader in human resources.
Moreover, Mel is a certified practitioner for psychometric testing and the MBTI Step 1, both of which equip him with valuable skills to understand and enhance team dynamics and individual performance. He holds certifications in Prince 2 Foundation and Practitioner, which reflect his proficiency in project management methodologies, critical for effective HR strategies.
Further elevating his credentials, Mel has obtained a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching from Henley Business School, positioning him as a strong advocate for leadership development and supportive workforce engagement. His educational background at the University of Huddersfield, where he studied Human Resources Management and Personnel Administration, has also contributed significantly to his career trajectory.
Professional Experience
With an impressive resume that includes numerous leadership roles, Mel has garnered extensive experience in various capacities within the field of HR. Prior to his current position, Mel served as a Board Trustee at Unmasked Mental Health, indicating his commitment to mental health awareness and advocacy within the workplace. His leadership capabilities were further highlighted during his tenure as Chairperson at the Calderdale Business Hub, where he facilitated growth and collaboration amongst local businesses.
Throughout his career, he has held influential roles such as Interim Director of HR & Corporate Services at the Medical Defence Union (MDDUS) and Interim Global Vice President of HR at Weir Flow Control. With positions like Group Director of HR & OD at Fairpoint Group PLC and Director of HR & Change at the Lewis Group Limited, Mel has consistently demonstrated his ability to manage complex human resource operations effectively.
Additionally, his role as Group Head of OD for Yorkshire & Humber at Together Housing Group showcased his strategic insight into Organizational Development. As a former Non-Executive Director at North Halifax Partnership and an HR Manager at Halifax, Mel has played essential roles in enhancing organizational effectiveness and fostering positive workplace culture.
Achievements
Mel Stead's career is marked by a series of noteworthy achievements that reflect his commitment to excellence in Human Resources. His leadership in developing and implementing robust HR strategies has successfully aligned organizational goals with employee engagement initiatives, leading to improved retention and productivity rates.
His proactive approach in establishing a culture of learning and development within organizations has facilitated significant advancements in employee skillsets and overall workforce capability. Furthermore, his contributions to fostering positive workplace environments, advocating for mental health, and promoting diversity and inclusion have made a lasting impact on the organizations he has served.
Given Mel's profound understanding of HR practices and his passion for helping organizations thrive through effective people strategies, he continues to be a valuable resource and leader in the world of HR Outsourcing. As the Managing Director of Optimal People & Business Services Ltd, he is dedicated to providing tailored solutions that help businesses navigate the evolving workforce landscape, ensuring they remain competitive and successful.
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Clay is designed for anyone who values maintaining meaningful relationships. The app is popular among a wide range of industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. It’s even used by half the Fortune 500! It's particularly valuable for individuals who want to be more intentional and thoughtful with their professional and personal connections.
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Clay is considered the best personal CRM and team CRM on the market. Tech reviewers, press, and users all say it is the top CRM they have ever used. Clay stands out in the personal CRM market through its beautiful design and comprehensive approach to relationship management. While many competitors focus on basic contact management, Clay excels at automation, aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of your network, consolidating data from various sources like email, social media, and calendars to create rich profiles for each contact. Its AI-powered Nexus feature sets it apart by allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network, something few competitors offer. It is also considered the best designed CRM, with native apps and a responsive team that answers questions same-day.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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