Gravitate HR secures senior appointments to own team - including new MD and chair

Gravitate HR has made key leadership appointments as it targets further growth.

Neil Ferguson has been selected for the managing director hotseat, with Laura Wiegratz named director of client services, and former Whitespace and Dentsu chief Iain Valentine has joined as non-executive director and chair of the firm that was founded by Margery McBain in Edinburgh in 2006. It says the core of its business is retained HR support, whereby it is effectively the virtual human resources department for clients, embedded within client organisations and working alongside the leadership team and senior management. It also delivers bespoke HR projects and assignments.

Gravitate, which has hubs in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, now operates across the UK, working in sectors including registered social landlords, charities, renewables, social care, hospitality, tech, property, construction, and membership organisations. The firm’s client base includes offshore construction firm FoundOcean, healthcare technology specialist Sitekit, Glenturret Distillery, the Scotch Whisky Association, National Theatre of Scotland, and Hilton Garden Inn-Heathrow.

Ms McBain said: “I am excited about our next phase of growth, with Neil running the business with the support of Laura, and the expert guidance of Iain. Neil joined us back in 2012, so it’s been great to see his development within the business, and Iain is a longstanding client dating back to his time with Whitespace ahead of the acquisition by Dentsu.”

Mr Valentine said: “Margery has built an incredible business through the years, underpinned by her absolute focus on client service and team culture... I look forward to helping to guide strategy at Gravitate over the months and years ahead.”

In addition to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises around all stages of the employee life cycle, Gravitate says it has seen a big uptick around helping organisations to build more inclusive workplaces – advising on diversity and inclusion, hybrid working, mental health and wellbeing.

New MD Mr Ferguson said: “We have seen massive change over the last few years... there is an increasing emphasis on inclusive workplaces, a trend that is only going to strengthen going forward.” Commenting on the recent appointments, he also stated: “Margery, Laura, and I are really pleased to have Iain’s support on the board, as we look ahead to continuing growth.”