People Director
Michelle is a warm, entrepreneurial and action orientated HR professional who thrives on working with organisations to support them getting the best out of their people.
Summary
With 20 years multi sector experience in both established blue-chip, FTSE100 companies, start-ups and SMEs in industries ranging from Commerce, Real Estate, Architecture, Media, Research, Fintech and PR, Michelle confidently grasps issues, quickly resolving with a pragmatic and commercial approach. Michelle is used to working with owner managed businesses and also larger group owned companies.
With strong generalist experience. Michelle advises clients on all areas of HR. She manages projects spanning the employee journey; delivers Leadership Development programmes, resolves complex employee relations issues, creates organisational structures, handles TUPE transfers, manages restructures and is experienced with delivering Lencioni programmes and behavioural assessments of teams amongst many other matters.
Currently Michelle is collaborating with a number of clients as their trusted senior advisor on both operational and strategic matters and is an embedded member of their team. A firm believer in leading by example, immersing herself into a business she will seek to partner with the leaders to create a positive working environment. Michelle sits on Boards and Management Teams in some of her clients.
Prior to joining the People Puzzles team she earned her stripes in global blue chip environments, media and an early stage tech businesses. Michelle has gained a BSc in Psychology & an MSc in Human Resource Management. When she is not immersed in her clients Michelle has a full family life which also keeps her very busy!
What Others Say About Michelle
- "Michelle has been an essential part of the growth and success of Stella & Dot in Europe. She has been a true partner to build the European and local teams. Michelle gets under the skin of the business and understands what is required to be successful at Stella & Dot. Michelle is a huge asset and partner.” Kathleen Mitchell, VP EMEA of Stella and Dot
- "As well as being an incredibly buoyant person, Michelle has guided Bright Partnerships through many complex people challenges. Michelle offers as much or as little guidance as you need, and we have worked with her from a period of establishing best practice (HR processes, Internal Engagement, Learning & Development) to the current day when it might simply be a quick call to double check our own internal approach to an imminent change. Her pragmatic approach is extremely valuable, and she has played a part in the past few tricky years helping our agency become renowned for its‘ Bright culture, allowing us to attract and retain the best talent in the industry." Clare Foot, Co-Founder and Partner of Bright Partnerships
- "Michelle joined us during a period of significant growth and massively helped us to professionalise the way we work together. She has introduced processes that have led to successful hiring, fantastic team retention and most importantly an improvement in the happiness of our team and culture. This has all led to us gaining third-party recognition that we are one of the best places to work in the media and advertising industry. I would highly recommend working with Michelle." Alistair Hill, Co-Founder and CEO of On Device Research
- "Although we have an internal HR department, working with Michelle as an external HR advisor for over 5 years has been massively beneficial. Michelle has been able to provide an external, experienced voice to a range of topics and by working on a long-term basis, she understands the dynamics and people in the business and can factor that in to the solutions suggested. Michelle has worked with our Leadership Team and Senior Managers delivering training and development using Lencioni 5 Behaviours and DiSC profiling. These workshops have enabled us to perform better as leaders & managers across our business." Robert Ginsberg, Managing Director of HiB Ltd
- "We turned to People Puzzles when we outsourced our HR function two and a half years ago, and we were immediately impressed with Michelle’s confidence, warmth and her general approach to looking after our people. She quickly became a trusted adviser to the executive team and just as importantly, a trusted confidant of the wider team. We are a relatively small business with a close team of high performing professionals and with Michelle’s help, we have managed to nurture talent, and attract and retain key staff. In our difficult moments, she has provided calm, clear and decisive advice and we are grateful for her contribution." General Counsel and Head of Operations, London-based Real Estate Asset Manager
- "Michelle joined United Fitness Brands at a time of rapid growth and expansion. She led us through a TUPE process and merging of businesses with a clear plan. She provided valuable insight and advice and we welcomed her experience in handling sensitive matters. She ensured we put our people first as well as being commercial and pragmatic. As we bedded into our larger organisation, Michelle continued to be our outsourced HR partner and played a key part in supporting both the Board & the C Suite and was able to navigate a complex and fast paced environment with a warm, professional and capable approach." Robert Rowland, Co-Founder of United Fitness Brands
- My Mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style - Maya Angelou - "If asked to articulate the qualities that I feel Michelle characteristically displays during every encounter, the above quote would immediately spring to mind. During the past months, it has been a sheer delight to work alongside you and have access to your considerable knowledge in planning strategy and operations. Also, having a sounding board to discuss the best approach has been invaluable, as I have sought to identify the best altitude in which to operate at the Bright Agency." Ian Whilby, Non Executive Director, The Bright Agency
- "Michelle provided great support throughout a difficult HR situation for me. She's both knowledgeable and experienced and helped me navigate through offering great advice whenever a hurdle arised. Michelle's communication was fast and she was on hand whenever I needed. Above all, her positive nature kept me calm when my anxiety levels were high. Managing a business and team on your own can be very lonely so knowing you have the support of someone like Michelle is invaluable." CEO, Beauty & Lifestyle Industry
Recent Works
- Does your sales team’s ‘selling style’ match your customers’ ‘buying style’?
- Variety, agility and professional growth with People Director Michelle Lustig
- Measuring Success with OnDevice – Transforming talent retention & culture through people planning
- Illustrating success: how strategic HR helped ensure a Bright future