This Is Guernsey

By Tom Edwards

Focus HR founders Becky Machon, left, and Katie Vidamour. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0575367)

A SERVICE to help workers moving to Guernsey is being set up by two human resources professionals.

Focus HR directors Katie Vidamour and Becky Machon are expanding their business after many of their clients requested additional support. The concept caught the eye of Bright Young Things organisers and propelled them  to the final six of the entrepreneurs’ contest.

‘Sarah Langford, who joined the team recently, had the idea and we thought that it fitted in quite well with what we do,’ said Ms Vidamour. ‘When you work in HR, you’re often called on to do different things that are not within the usual boundaries of your everyday job. Information about schools, different housing regulations and other issues can be quite difficult to find and it was something we felt could be added to the services we offer.’

Mrs Machon and Ms Vidamour started Focus HR in September after having gained considerable experience in the finance sector.

They entered the competition to benefit from the publicity by pitching their relocation agency idea to an audience of 500 islanders.

‘Being a new business, we don’t have the capital to get this venture off the ground, so the £5,000 prize money would have been useful to create a dedicated website for the service,’ said Ms Vidamour.

‘Even though we didn’t win, it was a worthwhile experience to understand the value of letting people know what we do. We’ve already had a lot of enquiries.’

The enterprising pair worked with mentor Simon Torode, who brought a great deal of expertise and enthusiasm to the table.

‘Because of his background in property, it was very close to home for him and he came up with some great ideas,’ said Ms Vidamour.

‘We couldn’t have competed with any of the others in terms of presentation, but he told us that we had a really good business idea and to concentrate on that.’

For now the pair intend to continue with Focus HR while gradually introducing the relocation service into the business.

They have even come up with a tiered structure to offer employers a cost effective means of recruiting outsiders who stay only on a short-term basis.

Mrs Machon pointed out that some firms were losing £30,000 every time a person left Guernsey soon after having been brought to the island.

‘For us it’s about offering a comprehensive service that helps families to settle into life on the island.

‘We’re really appreciative to Schroders [Bright Young Things sponsor] and the general public for all their support as otherwise we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to show everyone our idea.

‘All of the finalists got on really well and we all cheered each other on.

‘It was also really exciting to have been involved in the first Bright Young Things. Maybe one day we will be mentors ourselves.’