years
Meet our team of ACAS-trained Workplace Investigation HR specialists and learn more about Kraft HR service standards.
John Krafts set up Kraft HR in 2007 to provide affordable HR specialist services for independent businesses and non-profit organisations, including the NHS and healthcare. Liz Willett joined John as Director and Co-owner in 2024 after eight years as Head of Business Partnership. Darren Kehoe oversees the workplace investigation caseload, providing peer review and ensuring service quality.
John, Liz and Darren are HR specialists delivering independent workplace investigations alongside a fantastic team of ACAS-trained Associates. We are all approachable people with excellent communication skills. We are sensitive to how stressful and sensitive investigations can be, so we are always clear, concise and compassionate with every person involved.
Together, our team have worked in every sector including:
The team have handled:
John and Liz are based in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and Kraft HR is a member of the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, the regional centre for business excellence.
All our specialists work from home which enables us to keep overheads down to the absolute minimum. We work with organisations across the UK and Ireland and regularly manage cases that cross international borders.
Our data protection systems, quality assurance and records and reporting processes are independently verified as providing quality management systems by Certified Quality Systems.
Kraft HR workplace investigations operates a ‘pay as you go’ model, so you don’t need to pay us a retainer or annual fee.
“We’ve always worked remotely and we know how to approach the relevant people and gather evidence from every workplace environment. Being agile and responsive, we keep costs low. Our thorough, respectful approach will help your business to move forward.” Liz Willett, Chartered MCIPD, Director
We will provide you with comprehensive investigation support which is backed up by detailed understanding of the law. You can be confident that we will be thorough and produce straightforward reports that are easy to read and quick to reference.
Objectivity. Transparency. Integrity.
Contact us for an expert and honest appraisal of your investigation or employment situation. With our support, your business will be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the fair treatment of employees.
Because we specialise in HR and workplace investigations, we can offer you extensive insight into cultures, organisational structures and business models. Kraft HR provides a full human resource advice and consultancy service. We understand the contemporary people management context so we can help our clients to manage the full range and complexity of employment relationships and workforce planning.
Find out more about our generalist HR support, including corporate development and workforce structures, at: khrconsulting.co.uk.
Director
As Founder and Director of Kraft HR Investigations, John manages the long term sustainability of the business. He also oversees the quality of advice, conclusions and outcomes.
John has over 30 years experience delivering workplace investigations for public, private and third sector organisations with clients in the NHS, universities and small businesses. He is absolutely loves working in HR and “bringing in diverse perspectives to enhance workplace dynamics”.
John holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD, the UK body for the advancement of HR and people development. He has over 800 connections on Linked In and regularly gets involved in debate and discussions about all things HR and business.
John is a trusted advisor to business owners, HR leaders, Trustees, non-Executive Board members, Chief Executives and senior leaders, trade unions officials and lawyers. He is known for being direct, clear and honest.
John’s special interests are;
“Our mission is to ensure clients meet their legal obligations and avoid the massive costs and damage caused by mishandled complaints and grievances. We enable our clients to focus on the success of their business.” John Krafts, Chartered MCIPD, Director
Liz is a Director and Co-owner of Kraft HR and leads on developing services to meet the needs of employers and supporting them to provide a great place to work.
Liz has holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Nottingham Trent University, and a Bachelors Degree in Special Psychology with Occupational Psychology, and is a Chartered Member of the body for HR professionals, CIPD.
Liz writes about HR practice and developments for the media and has been published in healthcare magazines Pulse and Management in Practice. Liz is an engaging and clear communicator and leads on Kraft HR’s training and presentations. Liz is a regular guest speaker at conferences for organisations including Primary Care Development Centre, Nottinghamshire Local Medical Committee, and Management in Practice.
Liz works hard to ensure our clients experience an excellent and seamless service. She is an experienced CIPD qualified practitioner and provides effective advice in the management of even the most difficult and contentious cases. Our clients consistently rate her customer service and the outcomes she delivers as excellent.
Liz is also a skilled investigator with more than 15 years experience. Her specialisms include:
Liz uses her experience from managing Human Resources both in-house and via consultancy to offer practical advice and technical assistance.
“Our reputation for quality and excellence comes from clients being satisfied with our services and with us delivering on time and within agreed expectations. These standards are really important to me and the growth of the business.” Liz Willett, Chartered MCIPD, Director
Managing Consultant
Darren is an exceptionally effective senior executive with over 25 years in HR management, workplace investigations and senior leadership positions for the Ministry of Defence, large public bodies and private clients. He has successfully resolved workplace disputes, grievances and negotiated TUPE transfers.
Darren worked at Magistrate-level for the Ministry of Defence for over seven years, assessing and investigating complex HR and disciplinary cases and presiding over military Courts-Martials.
Darren has led a Ministerial Board of Inquiry, identifying the contributing factors of a complex workplace death that happened overseas.
“I know from many of our clients that one of the most important benefits of Kraft HR Investigations is having a single point of contact. I manage all aspects of the investigative process and provide advice and support throughout. I am then on-hand to advise on likely next steps, and can call on the team if more support, like a Deciding Officer, is required.”
Investigator
Judy is a people-focused professional with over 40 years HR experience and a strong foundation in organisational development, learning and fair and independent investigations, in the public, private and third sectors.
In particular, Judy has an extensive background the development of core values in the public sector at senior level – including in Police, Fire and Health – and has been particularly proud to have successfully applied this knowledge and experience in investigative assignments for Kraft HR.
Her work is characterised by a keen interest and deep understanding of how people, culture, and capability shape successful organisations. Clients complement on her accessibility and a thorough approach with an attention to detail in the work she does with them.
“I’m a values-driven professional and so, through the investigation process, get real satisfaction from supporting organisations with complex and sensitive people issues. I am also proud to work with an organisation like Kraft HR that is the very embodiment of the values I hold.”
Gary has worked on hundreds of investigations for Kraft HR Investigations, none of which have progressed to Tribunal. He is a confident investigator and is highly skilled in questioning witnesses and clarifying the most complex cases with plain and simple facts.
Gary’s experience with senior roles in union UNISON as a Convenor and Branch Secretary offers our clients insightful approaches during intricate industrial relations projects.
He was also a social worker, where his study of psychology means he is able to effectively question people to ensure full and accurate reports.
“I focus on delivering results and I thrive on projects that most people would find daunting. It’s up to me to get to the facts and provide clarity, so that robust and sound decisions can be made.”
Investigative Associate
Terri has 34 years of experience in the NHS and private healthcare sector where she held a senior position in Corporate Governance and Risk Management giving her extensive exposure to complex organisational environments, high risk decision making, and sensitive people related issues. All of which has enabled her to undertake a wide and varied range of workplace investigations including, but not limited to bullying and harassment, safeguarding, information security breaches, capability, misconduct etc.
Terri is ACAS trained and is quietly assertive, calm and assured, able to put people at ease while maintaining rigour, impartiality and pace. She builds trust quickly, gets to the heart of difficult issues, provides clear, pragmatic advice that minimises disruption with sensitive handling, efficiency and outcomes that stand up to scrutiny.
“Workplace Investigations work has always been a professional passion of mine. I take pride in approaching each case with thoroughness and fairness with an unwavering commitment to uncovering the facts whilst ensuring that all concerned are made to feel at ease during what can be an emotional and stressful time for them.”
Andy has been involved in investigations at all levels in various types of organisations for over 20 years. His eye for detail and presentation enables organisations to confidently take decisions even in the most complex situations.
Andy particularly enjoys working with clients in public services, like the NHS, Universities and Local Government.
Andy previously worked for organisations which presented evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees and Parliamentary Committees scrutinising Private Bills. He has prepared reports and presented evidence to Parliament and has appeared as a witness at Tribunals and Professional Bodies.
He also has over 20 years experience as an official at UNISON, including 15 years as a Regional Officer.
“It is crucial that employers have the relevant facts in front of them in order to take the difficult decisions that are often required. Robust investigations are central to that goal.”
Nic is a down to earth generalist HR professional with 20 plus years’ experience. Nic’s style enables her to quickly win the confidence of others and gain a real understanding of the situation. Clients report feeling at ease and reassured that their people matters’ will be dealt with sensitively and efficiently, with minimal business disruption. Helping clients and their workforce achieve their maximum potential is at the heart of Nic’s approach.
Having spent her career in the private and public sector, Nic is at home in FTSE100 business through to small the medium enterprises. Her special interests are:
“I take a 360 degree approach in my work, which enables me to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that all facts are established within the investigation. When offering guidance, I balance commercial needs with legislation, best practice and client policies to put forward a range of recommendations for the client to decide upon. I am proud to say that I have never had a decision overturned or had any of my cases reach tribunal.”
Adrian is a chartered HR professional with a generalist HR background and a strong commercial focus. His expertise ranges from input on strategic planning through to practical support on employee relations issues including dismissal, TUPE, business re-structuring, discipline/grievance, mental and ill health case management, and terms and conditions.
He also has significant experience in providing HR Support to GP Doctor surgeries. He has worked closely with Partners and Practice Managers on managing challenging people issues. He’s re-structured non-clinical back office support teams and supported practice and partnership mergers.
“When I advise my clients of legislation and the parameters of what you can and can’t do, I always provide the financial context so they can measure the impact of the choices they make.”
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Enter an email address here to download a PDF version of the Kraft HR Practical Guide to Workplace Investigations, or click here to browse the web version.
