New HR consulting firm launches in Scotland

Recently launched in Aberdeen, Moonstir – Thinking Heads is a boutique HR consultancy providing psychological solutions for businesses looking to improve their employee performance. The firm is the brainchild of human resources expert Morag Ormiston.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the global recession which has accompanied it have proven disastrous for many companies and employees – with swathes of jobs being lost as embattled organisations seek to stay afloat. When Morag Ormiston was handed her redundancy with technology firm Seatronics – where she had been Group HR Manager for the last six years – however, she saw it as an opportunity.

Talking to Aberdeen news outlet The Evening Express, Ormiston explained that leaving her old job presented her the chance to finally chase a goal she had been thinking of for years – and help others in the process.

“Although I have chosen to develop Moonstir now following my redundancy, this is something I have been considering since completing my MSc dissertation on Work Life Balance in 2005,” Ormiston stated. “Many of my former colleagues were very keen for me to set up and provide the dedicated HR and counselling support I am known for.”The resulting business, Moonstir – Thinking Heads, aims to improve business and individual performance. In a key time for businesses and workers looking to keep their heads above water in an unprecedented UK downturn, Moonstir designs management solutions which build, improve or restore business or individual performance. According to the firm’s founder, there are already signs that Moonstir has major opportunities to grow in the local market.

Ormiston said, “Finding some new business clients is the first challenge for Moonstir as we are keen to support both local SMEs with their HR needs, and larger companies with their health and wellbeing campaigns… There is certainly a demand for the services Moonstir can provide by offering bespoke packages to suit specific needs of companies and individuals… I have supported CLAN, ACIS, and now Shirley’s Space since November 2019. The business is also currently working on the first health and wellbeing contract with a local company.”

Ormiston currently runs Moonstir alongside two other permanent team members. Jenni Butler is a specialist physiotherapist with over 10 years of experience working in private clinics and football clubs in and around Aberdeen, something which has given her the capability to support businesses with their wellbeing programmes, enabling employees to remain physically well and work productively without injury.

Jenny Thomson meanwhile brings years of experience working in mental health delivering social work interventions, coaching and cognitive behavioural interventions.