FORREST GROUP
Meet the Team
Sophie Forrest-Lavery
Founder & CEO
Sophie originally founded ForrestHR in March 2018. She swiftly grew the business and started offering 5 key business services under the revised business name, Forrest Group in 2022.
​
Sophie is a highly qualified HR professional, who has previously won the award of Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 at the SME News Southern Enterprise Awards.
​
With over 20 years’ experience in the HR industry, Sophie has worked in senior HR generalist and strategic roles within a variety of industries including financial services, construction, law, hospitality, sports, retail, plus many more. Sophie is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider.
​
Her HR consultancy experience has included managing and supporting clients with a variety of complex and day-to-day needs, operating at board level.
​
She is committed to giving a first-class service in all areas of her practice, which has included dealing with high-profile employment relations cases, company restructure projects and employment contract and company policy reviews.
Jacqui Falvey
Associate Training Manager​
Jacqui’s specialisms are conducting Training Needs/Skills Analysis and creating annual training plans along with personal development plans based on the outputs of her research.
Jacqui also designs and delivers bespoke training solutions for our clients.
As well as being an experience coach and mentor, Jacqui has specific qualifications in training delivery and psychometrics.
Laura Reilly
Associate Senior HR Consultant
Laura is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management, Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Associate Chartered Institute of Legal Executives member with a certificate in employment practice and a qualified Paralegal.
​
She works as an Employment Lawyer and trained in employment tribunal advocacy through Central Law Training, with coaching from an experienced retired employment judge who has mentored Laura throughout her career.
​
Laura has over 15 years of private and non-profit sector experience, a practical understanding of operational management as a national operations manager, combined with operational and strategic HR management experience, up to Board level.
​
She is a qualified mediator (civil and commercial) as well as a skilled negotiator, with particular expertise in manufacturing and professional services environments. Experienced in settlement negotiations, employment dispute resolution and unionised environments spanning multiple UK sites.
Nick Adams
Head of Health & Safety
​
Nick’s specialisms are delivering business added value, risk management solutions, training, safety culture change and organisation health and safety improvements.
Nick also provides coaching and advise to employees, senior management, and board directors.
Nick brings over 20 years of health and safety management knowledge and experience, shaping and guiding businesses in industry and commercial sectors.