Two Leading HR Firms in Sussex Announce Merger

Sustained growth has driven neighbouring human resources businesses to join forces and form The HR Dept Sussex-by-the-Sea.

The HR Dept Eastbourne was launched by Serena May in 2013, followed by Sue Beeby launching The HR Dept Chichester in 2014.

Providing outsourced human resources and employment law support to small and medium-sized businesses, the two companies have seen the need for HR support grow significantly in recent years.

Together the award-winning businesses have expanded into Brighton, Hove, Arun, Adur, Worthing and Horsham and now serve over 100 clients in many different sectors, ranging from those with just one employee to those with over 100 members of staff. 

Based out of offices in Falmer, the expansion will provide more SME businesses in Sussex with crucial HR support and services to help them through both common and complicated HR issues. This may range from new starters and employment contracts to disciplinaries, leavers, and everything in between.

Serena and Sue have worked closely together on many HR projects over the years and feel that the merger is a natural business progression that will enable them to take on more staff and grow the business further. 

The creation of The HR Dept Sussex-by-the-Sea will initially see the recruitment of an HR & Business Support Co-ordinator to complement the existing team and the acquisition of office space near Brighton.

Serena said: “It’s been an incredible 10 years so far and I’m so excited for the next stage of my business journey with Sue as my business partner. Sue and I have provided local businesses with quality HR and employment law support for some time. The expertise, experience, and solutions we provide are an essential part of how businesses operate in today’s world, and more and more companies are demanding our services as a result.”

Sue added: “We are both getting so much work from our respective 

areas that it’s just a logical progression to meet in the middle and share the next phase of our business journey together.”

Both Serena and Sue have won various awards over the years, the latest being the People Management Award in 2021 from County Business Clubs where they are joint members and value-added partners. 

Sue said: “It’s onwards and upwards for us. I like to think we are playing a significant role in the communities we serve and the businesses we support – especially during the last two years. Employers have needed us more than ever to navigate their way through pandemic-related HR issues, whether that’s furlough, closing a business, starting a new business or advice with applying Government guidance, which has been overwhelming for many.

“I would like to thank the ongoing efforts of the team and continued support of our clients.  However, we know there are difficulties on the horizon for the businesses we are working with who worked so hard to come through the pandemic.  We will be there to continue to support them in the coming months and years.”

Serena May MCIPD
Director
E serena.may@hrdept.co.uk
T 01323 403500

Sue Beeby
Director
E susan.beeby@hrdept.co.uk
T 01243 214404

www.hrdept.co.uk/sussex-by-the-sea