Large scale, complex redundancy in multiple phases.
The Situation
As part of a shift in business strategy — from network ‘build’ to network ‘operation’ — this nationwide infrastructure company initiated a large-scale organisational restructure. The change required significant headcount reduction and role realignment across approximately 15 business units.
Although the internal HR team was well resourced and experienced, the scale and urgency of the change — combined with investor pressure and a concurrent focus on shaping the future structure — meant that they needed support to manage the people side of the programme.
- Client
A UK fibre infrastructure company - Industry
Telecoms / Network infrastructure - Services Provided
Redundancy programme planning and full delivery support - Duration
Phase 1: 5 months
Support for subsequent phases was a further 18 months - Team Deployed
10 consultants, 4 administrators, 1 director
The Challenge
The restructure required approximately 1,000 employees to be taken through individual consultation. The client had a clear plan but not the internal capacity to deliver the volume of work involved — particularly while navigating a legally mandated 90-day collective consultation period and preparing for future state design.
Our Solution
We embedded a team of 10 experienced consultants, 4 project administrators, and a director. Each consultant was paired directly with a senior member of the client’s HR team. This partnership model allowed our team to quickly gain insight into the business rationale for each unit and act as an extension of the client’s internal team.
Our support included:
- Planning & preparation during the collective consultation phase, including minuting meetings and supporting employee rep engagement
- Training over 60 managers to conduct individual consultations with clarity and consistency
- Customising consultation scripts to reflect varied business rationales across multiple functions
- Scheduling and attending 1,000 individual consultation meetings, taking notes, tracking feedback, and ensuring consistency
- Managing and issuing post-meeting documentation, including redundancy calculations, follow-ups, and signed confirmations
- Providing mid-point and final consultation meeting support, including leaver processing and documentation collation
- Creating a complete, structured document pack for every individual for audit and internal use
Our project administrators were instrumental in maintaining pace and accuracy — managing trackers, schedules, letters and quality control — ensuring every milestone was met.
The director provided oversight for the delivery as well as guidance to the HR leadership team.
The Outcome
Despite the volume and complexity of the programme, every key milestone was met. The internal HR team remained fully engaged in stakeholder management and future planning, confident that the consultation process was in expert hands.
Feedback from the client highlighted how quickly our team became trusted and embedded. They described us as:
“Responsive, easy to work with, and fully aligned to our culture… it took a weight off our shoulders.”
Since this project, the client has re-engaged us on five separate occasions to support further transformation work.
Why It Worked
Structured delivery model aligned to a pressured internal environment
Experienced consultants who understood both legal compliance and cultural sensitivity
Administrative rigour that kept every moving part tracked and recorded
A team who didn’t just understand redundancy processes — but understood how to make them deliverable at scale
What You Get With Us
Practical Planning
Real-world planning for TUPE, redundancy, or integration. Detailed plans so you know exactly what needs to happen and by when.
Experienced Team
Qualified HR professionals who don’t just know the theory, they know the real life challenges that change presents.
Honest, Clear Advice
You know your business and your team. We’re here to provide honest, clear advice on how to deliver the change in the most efficient way.
What You Get With Us
Practical Planning
Real-world planning for TUPE, redundancy, or integration. Detailed plans so you know exactly what needs to happen and by when.
Experienced Team
Qualified HR professionals who don’t just know the theory, they know the real life challenges that change presents.
Honest, Clear Advice
You know your business and your team. We’re here to provide honest, clear advice on how to deliver the change in the most efficient way.
Clarity first. Then execution.
Sometimes the hardest part is figuring out where to start. We’ll help you build a plan that’s credible, deliverable, and right for your business – then, if you want, we’ll help you make it happen.
