0345 646 5201
HR Consultancy in London
Whether you’re scaling at speed, navigating high-stakes M&As or looking to build a leadership team for long-term success, our London-based Fractional People Directors bring senior-level expertise right into the heart of your business. So much more than your average HR consultants, they’re business leaders, board advisors and commercial change-makers who work hands-on to align your people strategy with your business goals – using proven strategies to deliver meaningful change, and long-term value.
Strategic HR Consultancy in London and Surrounding Counties
We provide high-calibre fractional HR consultancy to businesses across London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, combining regional insight with the strength and capability of a UK-wide team. Your local People Directors bring senior-level commercial experience across a range of industries, from finance, law and tech to property, hospitality, and the creative sectors, to name just a few.
Whether you’re scaling fast, restructuring for future growth or navigating people challenges in a high-pressure market, our experienced team is ready to support you in key London business hubs including:
- City of London
- West End
- North London
- East London
- Greater London
- Buckinghamshire
- Hertfordshire
Talk to us today
Drop your details onto our form and we’ll book you in with one of our HR experts:
Meet our London HR consultancy team
Our London HR consultancy team is made up of senior People Directors with commercial roots, board-level expertise and a deep understanding of what makes businesses thrive.
Former PLC directors, business founders, global HR leaders and operational change-makers – our team has backgrounds spanning Warner Bros, Coca-Cola, Tesco, IBM, Standard & Poor’s, and high-growth start-ups across tech, property, media, financial services and more. Some have led £70m businesses. Others have built global people functions from the ground up.
But beyond credentials, it’s their approach that sets them apart. Our People Directors immerse themselves in your world – sitting on boards, driving transformation, coaching senior leaders and tackling sensitive issues with commercial clarity and emotional intelligence.
They know how to build trust, unlock leadership potential, and have the conversations CEOs need but often can’t have. They also know that operational efficiencies mean profit. And they’ve always got their eye on the bigger strategic picture, which they firmly believe is rooted in one thing – people.
For every business challenge – from scaling fast to succession planning – our team combines sharp strategic thinking with a people-first approach. And for them, it’s never just ‘work’. As one of our London People Directors put it, “When a business brings you in to help steer a high-stakes merger or unlock growth through people – that’s not just work – that’s a privilege.”
Get to Know our London People Directors
Bringing high calibre strategic HR expertise to businesses across the capital and surrounding counties.
Meet the team
Strategic HR Consultancy in London Case Study
OnDevice – Doubling Growth and Boosting Retention with Strategic People Planning
Challenge: OnDevice Research was scaling fast – but people management issues, leadership gaps and retention challenges were starting to affect collaboration, performance and future growth.
Solution: London People Director Michelle Lustig delivered targeted leadership coaching and development across the business, helping to strengthen management capability, align culture and enhance organisational structure. Her strategic input ensured the right people were in the right roles and empowered senior leaders to lead with confidence.
Results: Within three years, the company doubled its headcount and revenue, significantly improved retention, and earned Campaign Magazine’s “Best Place to Work” award – with stronger leadership and a culture built for sustainable success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fractional HR gives you access to senior HR expertise at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. Our London-based People Directors work part-time but fully embedded in your business – understanding your goals, challenges and team dynamics from the inside. This flexible model allows ambitious and scaling businesses to access high-impact HR leadership – without long-term overheads.
A People Director is a strategic HR leader – someone who works alongside your senior team to solve people challenges and support business growth. At People Puzzles, our People Directors bring decades of commercial and HR experience across sectors such as finance, tech, property and hospitality. They’re not here to write handbooks or chase timesheets – they help shape your organisational structure, leadership, and culture to unlock real value, and drive performance.
Yes – and we believe it makes all the difference. Our London HR consultants work on-site within your business, not remotely or via a call centre. This hands-on approach means we can quickly understand how your business really operates – and help you lead meaningful change from within
Operational HR handles policies, grievances and admin. Strategic HR focuses on aligning your people with your business goals – for example, by building a leadership pipeline, reshaping teams after a merger or acquisition, or fixing high talent turnover. Our People Directors focus on the strategic side – helping London businesses scale, attract talent, and improve culture and retention with a clear people plan in place.
Definitely. Many of our London clients come to us during periods of rapid change – whether after investment, ahead of a merger, or during a high-growth phase. We’ll help you restructure your business so it operates without reliance on the founder, support with succession planning, and build management capability at every level.
Yes – and we believe this is vital to success in London’s competitive job market. Our People Directors help you define and embed a positive culture that attracts and retains the right people – by developing clear values, leadership behaviours, career paths and flexible working practices. The result? A team that’s aligned, motivated, and committed to your business.
Yes – our HR consultants in London can step in on a project or interim basis for anything from redundancy consultation to leadership development or dispute resolution. But we find most businesses gain more value from having a fractional People Director embedded longer term – building sustainable change, not just firefighting.
We work with ambitious businesses across Greater London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Our clients range from creative agencies, tech and property firms, and consultancies, to investment houses, hospitality, and service sector businesses. Whether you’re based in the City, West End or further afield, we match you with a People Director who understands your sector, your challenges – and knows how to get results.
Who we work with and what we do: Strategic HR explained
Our Fractional People Directors work across London and surrounding counties with high-growth tech firms, creative agencies, professional services, architects, consultants, property businesses, investment houses and more. They’ve restructured teams to improve profit margins, guided leaders through mergers and strategic transitions, and built people strategies that drive performance and long-term value.
We work differently to traditional HR consultants in London, becoming a trusted part of your senior team – sitting on boards, shaping strategy and working side by side with leaders to make change happen, as well as rolling up our sleeves to get the work done. We take the time to truly understand your business from the inside – its culture, challenges and ambitions – so we can deliver people strategies that are aligned, actionable and commercially focused.
And with 90+ People Directors across the UK, you gain the strength of a national network, alongside the insight and agility of local expertise.
“We now have brilliant people throughout the organisation, which means we now have the ability to double – AGAIN.”
Alistair Hill, CEO & Co-founder, OnDevice
Strategic HR consultancy services our London clients rely on most
Having supported businesses across London to accelerate achievements, attract the best people (and keep them longer), build high performance teams, drive sustainable cultural change, support mergers, acquisitions and investments, and deliver commercial transformation, our People Directors know what it takes to deliver meaningful results in one of the UK’s most demanding business environments.
With wide-ranging commercial and leadership experience as well as board-level HR expertise, our People Directors work closely with your team to shape the people strategy behind your business plan – helping you move from firefighting to future-proofing.
Whether you’re tackling high turnover, leadership gaps or widespread disengagement, we work from within – designing structures, developing leaders and building cultures that unlock growth through people – and drive measurable commercial value.
People Processes
People issues often stem from unclear processes. From recruitment and onboarding to performance management and compliance, our London-based Fractional People Directors work inside your business to bring clarity and structure. We’ll help you put practical people processes in place that protect your business and your reputation, support your leaders, and keep your teams performing at their best – including through change and challenge.
Strategic HR
Strategic HR is the driver behind every successful business transformation. Our experienced People Directors align your people function with your growth ambitions, delivering structure, leadership, and culture that support your next move – whether that’s scaling, acquisition, succession or even exit. We don’t waste time creating theory-heavy plans or leave you with a long to-do list – we roll up our sleeves and work within your team to implement tangible, tailored solutions that generate real commercial returns.
Leadership Development & Executive Coaching
Technical expertise is all too often mistaken for leadership potential. But knowing your craft isn’t the same as knowing how to lead. Our London-based People Directors help upskill senior and middle managers into well-rounded, confident leaders – capable of taking ownership, thinking commercially, and stepping up when needed. By strengthening your leadership team from within, we free up founders and CEOs to focus on the bigger picture – not the day-to-day.
Organisational Structure
When a business revolves too heavily around the founder or CEO, it risks becoming un-scalable and un-investable. Our London-based People Directors help reshape organisational structure so it works independently of any one person – enabling business leaders to step back from day-to-day operations and focus on strategic growth. By developing future leaders and defining clear roles, responsibilities and reporting lines, we help increase operational agility, accountability, and value – paving the way for your chosen next steps.
Talent Management & Retention
When talented people leave – or land in the wrong roles – productivity suffers, and so does growth. Our London HR Consultants help you take charge of your entire talent lifecycle: attracting the right people, retaining them, and placing them where they can deliver real value. We’ll identify skills gaps, eliminate duplicated roles, and build a stronger people strategy from the inside out – reducing recruitment spend, improving engagement, and shaping and supporting the people who’ll drive your business forward.
Culture Development
Toxic culture, high turnover, lack of motivation, productivity under pressure – we see the impact when company culture isn’t working, and how periods of intense change or rapid growth can erode even the strongest company culture. Our London-based strategic HR Consultants work within your business to define and embed values, behaviours and leadership habits that support well-being, accountability and performance. By building a culture where people feel valued, with clear career paths, flexibility, and purpose, we improve retention, reduce people problems, and create a workplace that supports business growth.
Business Strategy
You have a business plan – but is your people strategy aligned with it? Without the right leadership, structure and culture, growth ambitions can quickly stall. Perhaps you have a list of challenges keeping you from focusing on the bigger picture, or perhaps your existing strategy is no longer right for your vision. Our London-based People Directors work at board level and within your senior teams, using their vast commercial experience to help you clarify where you want to go – and turn your vision into a clear, actionable roadmap to help you get their faster and bring your people with you on that journey.
Why choose our strategic HR consultancy in London?
From the finance and legal powerhouses of the City to the creative, hospitality and tech businesses of the West End and beyond, London’s commercial landscape is diverse, dynamic and demanding. Competition for talent is fierce. And ambitious founders are often spread too thin to lead the next phase of growth.
At People Puzzles, we understand what it takes to unlock commercial value through people. Our London-based People Directors are more than your avergage HR consultants – they’re business founders, former PLC directors and operational leaders who’ve worked across FTSE 100s, high-growth scale-ups, global blue chips, and a variety of sectors in between.
Whether you’re navigating high-stakes mergers and acquisitions, fast-track scaling, building a leadership pipeline or considering exit strategies, we’ve helped ambitious businesses take strategic action that delivers clear ROI – from six-figure cost savings to stronger, more resilient teams built for future success.
Proven Impact. Tangible Results. HR with ROI.
Our work delivers measurable outcomes – from improved retention and stronger leadership to sustained growth.
Call us on: 0345 646 5201 or email [email protected]
Talk to a People Puzzles HR Consultant in London Today
Whether you’re navigating complex change, planning for growth or tackling persistent people challenges, our London-based Fractional HR Directors are here to help. We work hands-on as part of your senior team – bringing high-calibre strategic HR support that delivers commercial results and lasting change.
See what our clients say!
Clyde has been instrumental in taking BEAR Scotland from 'good to great'
Iain Murray, Managing Director, BEAR Scotland
Working closely with Clyde Marwick we developed a five-pillar framework addressing our goal for a high performing HR function including employer branding, recruitment innovation, and reward enhancement. We have navigated complex employee relations challenges while building strategic capability across our HR team. We now have the people infrastructure to match our operational excellence.
Liz's support was instrumental in us delivering a successful consultation
Director of Finance, National Hair & Beauty Federation
Following the completion of our restructure, I wanted to get in touch to say thank you. Liz's support was instrumental in us delivering a successful consultation. We are extremely grateful for her measured and sound advice, helping us to navigate such a sensitive situation, and we look forward to working with her again in future .
Lynn guided me out of my comfort zone to help me achieve my goals
Samantha Freeman, Management Accountant, Wirtgen Group
I could not recommend Lynn more, she guided me out of my comfort zone to help me achieve my goals and to think about things from an alternative perspective. I have also had a few people comment on the positive changes they can see in me which is a result of our sessions.
Sarah is a trusted advisor and sounding board to both me and my team.
Claire Watkin, Managing Director, Trendsetter
Working with People Puzzles has enabled me to step out of the day to day running of the business and concentrate on our future strategic direction. Sarah has helped us focus on how we develop our future leaders, cross team collaboration, and enhance overall business performance, as well as supporting the achievement of B Corp status.
The achievements of the People Strategy made a measurable difference.
Craig Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, Sigma
I can't thank Paula enough for all her support over the last 3 years. Her time with us turned out to be much longer than any of us expected but I guess this reflects the extraordinary events and circumstances we’ve encountered since 2019. The achievements over this period made a measurable difference to engagement and has helped Sigma transition our people policies from that of an SME into market leading large corporate. Thank you.
Lynn was always positive and listened when it mattered
Coaching Client – Wirtgen Limited
I cannot give Lynn enough thanks for the help that she gave me to better understand myself and help me find the answers to some tough questions. Lynn was always positive and listened when it mattered, Thanks again Lynn.
I have been able to build a proactive relationship with Pauline
Amy Fisher, MD, Doby Verrolec
I have been able to build a proactive relationship with Pauline. I came into this role last year with an agenda for growth and we have been working together across employee engagement, contacts and policies.
Pauline developed our people strategy with a robust methodology
Jeremy Royle, MD, YourNRG
Pauline’s hands on approach helped us to build on the work we have already taken and develop our people strategy with a robust methodology to meet the current needs and future growth of the business.
Working closely with one local and very knowledgeable person
Amy Fisher, MD, Doby Verrolec
The real benefit of People Puzzles is that your business and industry sector needs are matched with one of the People Puzzles Directors. This means you work closely with one local and very knowledgeable person who can quickly understand the people needs of the business.
Working with Sarah has been a rewarding, productive and an educational experience
Chief Operating Officer, Salford Primary Care Together
We wanted to understand more about what was driving our organisational culture, key risks and issues, what our priorities should be, and to understand what we could achieve with our limited resources. Sarah brought commitment, pragmatism, and positivity to our challenges which helped us achieve many of our goals including organisational restructures, re-design of several key HR processes and upskilling of our teams.
Pauline has very quickly gotten to grips with Your NRG.
Managing Director, Your NRG
Pauline has very quickly gotten to grips with Your NRG, and has brought to our attention some processes that need our focus as a result of our recent rapid growth. We are pushing on with the more pressing operational day-to-day strategies and initiatives whilst also educating the SMT on their overall understanding of ‘cradle to grave’ employment. Pauline continues to work diligently and tirelessly for Your NRG and I am delighted to have her ongoing support alongside us as we continue on our journey to realise our levels of ambition.
Changed the way we approach our senior meetings and develop our strategy.
Chair, Regular Cleaning
Shaun worked closely with me and the senior team and taught us a lot. Shaun dedicated time for each team member and encouraged, educated and guided them to be the best they can be. We achieved so much in the time we worked with Shaun and he has helped to change our focus from working in the business to working on the business giving us time to dedicate to the progression of the teams that make up the rest of our family.
Jill has worked on many projects as our part time HR Director.
Founder, Aura
One was around sick days which she has now reduced by 75%. This has significantly minimised the disruption it was causing.
Stewart's work has been a major factor in helping us achieve our ambitious targets.
Gerry Simmonds, Safpro
Stewart helped to align our senior team around business goals and implemented clear people plan has been a major factor in helping us achieve our ambitious targets. We have grown 20% over the past two years and with the team we now have in place this growth is set to continue.
Lynn's work as our trusted HR consultant and my mentor has been absolutely invaluable.
Oktawia Ellis, HR Manager, We Seal
I have the distinct pleasure of working with Lynn at People Puzzles. Her work over the last few years as our trusted HR consultant and my mentor has been absolutely invaluable. Lynn is an expert in her field, she is very knowledgeable, encourageing, supportive, and an effective leader. She is also really funny and a pleasure to be around! I learned a lot from Lynn and I would strongly recommend her.
The impact Lynn has had on our challenges are beyond my expectations
James Laxton, Managing Director, Laxtons
She has engaged with all our staff and her approach is a breath of fresh air for the business. The support she has given me has made some difficult issues appear straight forward and she has given a new lease of life in the business. We would not have been able to get to where we are now without her wealth of experience and hands on people approach and I am excited to see what the future brings working with Lynn.
Every team leader can now make decisions in line with the vision
Roy Bowie, Managing Director, GreenBlue Urban
I used to have the view that HR was managing difficult cases and moving people on with occasional recruitment support. But what People Puzzles does is so much more than that. It’s about the development of the business and its people as a whole which has been the biggest eye opener for me.
Working with Gill has helped us develop a People Plan which goes beyond compliance
Bernard Sellars, Managing Director, Lindum Packaging
Working with Gill from People Puzzles has helped us develop a People Plan which goes beyond compliance – it has helped us as a team to achieve greater alignment and engagement with the business strategy and goals.
I found the personal development coaching I received from Lynn to be very beneficial.
Alex Calvert, Marketing and PR Account Manager, Intandem Communications Ltd
I found the personal development coaching I received from Lynn to be very beneficial. Lynn helped me to work on some very clear objectives with a good balance of supportiveness and knowing when to challenge and push me out of my comfort zone!
We are now in a strong position from a people perspective, to leverage the future
Craig Bennett, CEO, Sigma Group
Paula developed a clear People plan and road map, which has significantly moved us on. She has developed the existing HR team, and ensured that we progressed quickly on all the initiatives that we identified. I’m confident that based on the last 6 months, with Paula’s input and contribution, we are now in a strong position from a people perspective, to leverage the next 6 months and beyond.
A very professional team
Chris Morling, Founder & CEO, Money.co.uk
It’s been brilliant to have such knowledgeable consultants help us to empower our people. Stuart and Sophie were incredibly flexible, adapting their services to our business and existing culture. I’d highly recommend People Puzzles.
Shifted my view of HR!
Gavin Pooley, Managing Director, Liquidline
I used to think that HR was all about employment law compliance and managing the administration basics. I didn’t get the hugely positive impact strategic HR could make to the business – I do now!’
Transformed my understanding
Managing Director, B2B Supplies and Support Services
Having Alison on the team is like having another MD/MBA in the business. She has totally transformed my understanding of HR.
Fantastic support!
Kerry Berry, Director, S&K Berry Associates LLP
Lynn has been a fantastic support to us and an ongoing fountain of knowledge. If you have a business and/or staff you need to take care of, you need a Lynn on your team!
Such a detailed process
Sue Ford, Director, Bridge Case Management
Lynn ran a detailed process and I wasn’t allowed to get away with anything – All relevant issues were included and dealt with objectively.
We’ve accomplished a lot!
Joseph Carr, Managing Director, Carrs Pasties
This is an inspiring story and it’s all true. I can’t believe it’s about us! We’ve accomplished a lot over the last 18 months.
Helping us shape the business
Stuart Hill, CEO, WNDirect
Carole has helped me and the business massively and added real value while helping us shape the business.
Vee has delivered a huge amount for the company
Bertie Kerr, Managing Director, Albany Associates Ltd
Vee started with a baseline study of where we were. She then presented a work plan to deliver over the coming months and while some priorities have changed it is impressive to look back and see how much has been achieved. She has become a trusted member of the senior team, providing advice and guidance on difficult topics and is regularly consulted by staff for her input.
Alison joined Valleys to Coast on an interim basis and 18 months later is still with us!
Joanne Oak, Chief Executive Officer, Valleys to Coast Housing
Alison has been instrumental working with me to recruit to a permanent role. Alison’s approach has been one of partnership, contributing as part of the strategic leadership team, which has been critically important given the turbulence the organisation has been through. Alison is always available, responsive and I would highly recommend her for expert HR support
Over the last 3 years, People Puzzles has helped build a very strong people culture
Phil Dupont, Director, RVT Group
We now have a clear Vision for the Companies 5 Pillars, In-house manager, leadership ‘Power 90’ Training and a rhythm of key meetings throughout each year. This has had a direct contribution to the significant growth of the company in the last 3 years… With this support from People Puzzles continuing, the company continues to grow both financially and culturally for the benefit of all.