Strachan and Kemp

Our Client

Based in Scotland’s central belt, Strachan and Kemp Commercial Services Ltd provide a complete contractor solution to commercial property clients. They deliver a diverse range of services to support every aspect of property-related services, including full Hard and Soft Service provision, ranging from the smallest of routine repairs, time-critical emergency works and Planned Preventative Maintenance through to refurbishment and dilapidation works. 

Formed in 2014, the now 60-strong firm has enjoyed rapid growth in the demand for its services and plans to expand its geographical base beyond Scotland. 

Our Challenge

AAB began advising Strachan and Kemp as part of a North Lanarkshire grant-funded project. In September 2022, our team were taken on directly by the firm to provide a retained consultancy and practical support for their managers on a range of HR issues. The permanent employee headcount has grown to seven, with 50+ remote and casual staff providing the bulk of the commercial services.

Strachan and Kemp sought ongoing guidance and in-person visits by our People team to assist with contracts, compliance and a diverse and sometimes challenging range of employee relations issues. 

Our Solution – HR

Our role has spanned many aspects of HR, from practical documentation and daily HR admin needs to advising on a range of sometimes complex employee relations issues. We introduced a bespoke employee handbook to all staff outlining all the entitlements and policies available and serving as an educational guide for managers on company processes.  

We support the directors, service manager and cleaning managers with processes they may not have dealt with previously, provide a guide for how to handle them, draw up any relevant documentation and attend meetings with management on request. 

A significant part of our work has been helping with internal communications around employee relations, sometimes involving sensitive issues and complex individual situations.  We contribute to meetings with staff and management where required and have regular calls to discuss a wide range of people management needs.  

We also advise on contractual issues, including those related to TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment rights).  TUPE is the law that protects employees and their benefits when their employment changes hands. 

 

Our Solution – Health & Safety

Strachan and Kemp also asked us to review their Health & Safety systems and policies as part of their business growth requirements. Our dedicated Health & Safety team assigned a consultant to become an integral part of the client team and act as a retained, ongoing first port of call.

A full review, a new bespoke action plan and upgrading of policies and procedures followed in Autumn 2023, including a review and simplification of documentation. The review included several risk assessments, including fire risk, and a series of training sessions for the field team on dynamic risk assessment in core business areas such as roofing, cleaning, security, drainage and waste management. 

All Health & Safety materials were revised to create maximum efficiency and user-friendliness and tailored carefully to fit the specific needs of Strachan and Kemp as a diverse and growing business. AAB are retained as regular advisors for all day-to-day enquiries as they arise and treated very much as part of the in-house team.

 

Our Impact

Business development director Megan Smernicki values the sound knowledge, experience and reassuring level of support that the team bring to the business: 

“AAB’s depth of experience is fantastic and the value of working with them is second-to-none – both with HR and Health & Safety. Ours is a complex and diverse business and they’re a great support in helping us get our policies and procedures to where they need to be.”

“They’re a next level, integral part of our team – there’s no divide. It’s like having an internal HR manager. The team are always on hand to guide us and suggest practical solutions. They do so much more than just advise – they take control of projects, create templates for action and help us do the work that needs doing.” 

“We wouldn’t be where we are without them. They guide us on difficult situations and always come with solutions thanks to their vast range of experience across the wider team. In complex situations, we find it very helpful that they can advise as a collective.”