OXFORDSHIRE - Leading Law Firm appoints new HR Director

For Immediate release - 3rd March 2025, OXFORDSHIRE: Regional law firm, Gardner Leader has appointed new HR Director, Sarah Hunt, marking another significant step in cementing its position as one of the leading legal services providers across the south of England.

Since 2023, Gardner Leader’s team has grown by 19%, with the firm now employing more than 200 members of staff across its seven locations, which include offices in Newbury, Thatcham, and Maidenhead in Berkshire, Swindon in Wiltshire, as well as Oxford, Windsor and London. Its highly experienced team of legal professionals work across six specialist teams each dedicated to providing specific services to businesses and individuals.

Sarah’s appointment aligns with the firm’s focus on strengthening its reputation as an employer of choice and its commitment to attracting and retaining the best legal talent in the region. Upholding the highest standards of performance, accountability and transparency, this commitment extends to employee benefits, best practices, and its broader social and environmental responsibilities. Additionally, the firm actively supports initiatives that benefit the communities it serves, charity and the environment.

With over 30 years’ experience, Sarah’s background includes working in both SME and large corporate environments across a variety of sectors, including utilities, financial services and IT services under both private and public ownership. Before joining Gardner Leader, Sarah held positions at Thames Water, Prudential, and at IT provider ESP Global Services.

Sarah’s expertise includes HR transformation, including building HR functions and people focussed strategies from the ground up. She is also skilled in delivering a full suite of HR policies and systems, covering employee relations, learning and development, training programmes, reward, recruitment, performance and line management, and employment law.

Gardner Leader’s HR Director, Sarah Hunt, said: “Since joining Gardner Leader’s team I’ve been particularly struck by the firm’s culture and its caring, inclusive approach to all its employees. I’m looking forward to getting to know the team and the firm, and ensuring we have the right HR strategy in place to support our ambitious goals and the right mixture of tools to help drive the highest levels of engagement across the firm.

“People spend a lot of time in the workplace and it’s important that they feel valued and fairly treated, enjoy what they do, have opportunities to learn and grow, and understand how they contribute to the success of the business. HR plays a key function in delivering this and ensuring that employees and the business succeed.”

Managing Partner, Derek Rodgers added: “It’s fantastic to have someone of Sarah’s stature bring such a wealth of expertise and knowledge to our team. As we continue to grow, attracting and retaining the best talent remains a priority. Sarah has hands-on experience in establishing effective pathways for professional development and building strong, people-focused cultures. We look forward to the positive impact Sarah will have on our team and our firm’s future success.”

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Editors notes

With offices in Newbury, Thatcham, Maidenhead, Windsor, Swindon, Oxford and London, Gardner Leader is a leading law firm in the Thames Valley and South East, offering a wide range of legal services for businesses and individuals.

In the Legal 500 prestigious guide for 2022 the firm was described as ‘shining above all with their approachable and friendly way of doing things’, with Partner Niamh Minihane named as a “Next Generation Partner”, and Katie Dyson, Partner, singled out as a “Rising Star.”

In 2018 the firm won ‘Best in Business’ and ‘Best in Customer Service’ awards in the Newbury Weekly News award, and in 2016 it also won the LawNet award for Law Firm of the Year, and the Halsbury Legal Award in Business Development. Other awards include the LawNet Excellence in Employee Engagement award (2015), Highly Commended in the Regional Conveyancing Firm of the Year category in the 2015 National Conveyancing Awards and Commended.

The firm was first founded in 1895. It has over 160 staff. Its team of highly experienced and friendly solicitors are all specialist, specifically dedicated to their areas of expertise. Each team is driven by what matters to the client and committed to delivering results.