Mace & Jones hires HR specialist

North West employment firm Mace & Jones has exp-anded its specialist HR consultancy with the hire of HR consultant Vince Housecroft.

Housecroft is the former HR director at Dalkia, an employer of more than 2,800 staff and a client of the firm's employment law group.

He joins Gordon Capper and Alison Wood in the firm's HR consultancy group, which operates out of the employment practice.

Mace & Jones head of employment Martin Edwards believes the consultancy practice is a perfect complement to the employment law group. "It enables the firm to advise on tribunal cases and drafting contracts of employment, as well as on people management," he said. The group has seen particular demand for advice on implementing schemes in areas including performance management and drug and alcohol testing.

The hire comes amid the growth of similar HR consultancy services in law firms across the UK. Edwards said that "there is a growing enthusiasm for this service".