David McCrum Employment Lawyer

Testimonials & References

Reference - Vauxhall Motors Ltd

Reference from Phil Millward - Industrial Relations Director - Vauxhall Motors Ltd Ellesmere Port Plant

I have known David McCrum since he joined the Vauxhall legal department in 1988.

He was responsible for providing employment law advice to the General Motors companies in the UK, and part of his job was to provide advice to the Ellesmere Port plant. The plant employs around 3,000 employees, and so there is a constant need for employment law advice.

When I first knew him I was a unit manager at the plant, and I was regularly impressed by his willingness to visit the plant and understand the operational context of the particular employee problem.

I then became Vauxhall’s Industrial Relations Director at around the same time as he left Vauxhall to set up his own legal practice.

Since then I have benefited regularly from his advice in relation to numerous, often difficult, employment situations. For example there have been a number of Employment Tribunal cases, industrial disputes, and several senior executive separations.

He is always available, which is particularly important as we run a three shift operation, and he has often provided advice, including attending the plant, at unsocial times of the day or night.

He also provides an efficient update service, so I am always made aware of new legal developments which will affect the plant.

His trustworthiness and integrity are without question, and I would not hesitate to recommend his services to others.

Reference - General Motors UK

Reference from Keith Benjamin - Legal Services Director - Vauxhall Motors Ltd

David McCrum worked for the General Motors UK Legal Department between June 1988 and July 2001, when he left to set up his own legal practice specialising in employment law.

He was based at the offices of Vauxhall Motors Ltd in Luton, and was solely responsible for the provision of all employment law services to Vauxhall and the other GM companies in the UK.

During his time with GM he successfully established himself as the leading specialist in-house employment lawyer in the General Motors (Europe) group of companies, and headed the General Motors (Europe) Personnel and Employment Forum, which provided advice on pan-European projects such as European Works Councils and contracts for internationally mobile employees.

When he started his own legal practice we were keen to continue using his expertise, and he remained responsible for the provision of all GM UK’s employment law advice needs. This is a substantial requirement as the workforce numbers more than 4,000.

He has provided his services to our complete satisfaction. His particular strength is his involvement with the client from the inception of a problem in the workplace, right through to the conduct of Employment Tribunal proceedings, including carrying out all the advocacy.

One major project was the closure of the Luton plant, employing over 3,000 employees, for which David provided all the employment law advice required.

In addition he has kept us regularly updated on new legal developments, ensuring that we have remained compliant with all relevant employment legislation.

Our HR and line managers have gained a real benefit from his easy availability, including a willingness to attend our plants at unsocial hours. He has developed strong personal relationships with me and the HR and line managers for whom he has provided advice.

[In May 2004 Vauxhall joined the Engineering Employers’ Federation, and one of the services provided by the EEF package is employment law advice. It is for this reason alone that David will soon cease providing services to Vauxhall. We have been extremely satisfied with his service, which has had no bearing on our decision to join the EEF.]

He is entirely trustworthy, and has provided a cost-effective service. I do not hesitate to recommend him to anyone who needs employment law advice, and will be happy to provide further information on the phone if required.