About

Senior expertise.
Independent perspective.

With over 25 years of independent practice, I bring the depth of a seasoned HR director with the objectivity that only an external adviser can provide.

Background

A practice built on
genuine seniority

I am an Independent Senior HR Advisor with over 25 years of practice, working with UK and international organisations on their most complex and sensitive people matters. My work sits at the intersection of employment law, commercial strategy and human judgement. I am at my most effective when the stakes are highest.

My clients range from mid-market businesses to global enterprises. What they share is a need for senior, credible, independent HR expertise: someone who can engage at board and C-suite level and navigate the most sensitive workplace matters with discretion and sound commercial judgement.

I have particular depth in employee relations, UK employment law and the People dimension of mergers, acquisitions and organisational change. I also advise on cross-border workforce matters, drawing on experience of international labour law frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.

For organisations without senior in-house ER capability, or where the complexity of the situation calls for additional senior expertise, I provide the expertise and objectivity those situations require.

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Shirley La Costa, Senior HR Advisor
Primary Expertise
  • Employee relations: complex, sensitive and high-risk matters
  • UK employment law and international labour law frameworks
  • Independent workplace investigations
  • Organisational change, restructuring and redundancy
  • Mergers and acquisitions: HR due diligence through to close
  • International HR advisory across multiple jurisdictions
  • Senior exits and settlement discussions
  • Mediation and workplace conflict resolution
What Distinguishes This Practice
  • Direct engagement at board and C-suite level
  • Significant reduction in unnecessary legal expenditure
  • Strategic deployment of legal counsel where it genuinely adds value
  • Absolute discretion on all matters

Discuss a specific matter

All initial conversations are treated in strict confidence.

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