0345 646 5201
HR Consultancy in Brighton
Whether you’re navigating growth, cultural drift or post-acquisition change, fighting talent drain or struggling with founder dependency, our Brighton People Directors are ready to guide your business through its next turning point. Working hands-on alongside your leadership team, they’ll align your people strategy with your broader business ambitions, driving transformative change in just a few days a month – without the cost of a full-time hire – and with measurable ROI.
Strategic HR Consultancy in Brighton
Brighton’s economy is as vibrant as the city itself. From the famous creative and digital hub of Silicon Beach to its long-established tourism and hospitality industry, the city thrives on innovation and diversity.
Professional and financial services play a key role too, alongside education, health and social care. With two universities and a growing health tech cluster, Brighton has become a centre for research, talent and entrepreneurial energy.
This mix makes Brighton an exciting place to do business. But it also means organisations here face unique people challenges — from managing rapid growth and high staff turnover, to building sustainable leadership and culture.
Our Brighton-based Fractional People Directors understand these pressures. We work hands-on alongside business leaders to help shape people plans that balance ambition with long-term stability.
You’ll find us supporting businesses across the various districts of the city, including:
- Brighton City Centre
- North Laine & Lanes
- Brighton Marina
- Cultural Quarter
- Digital & Creative Hub (Silicon Beach cluster)
- Education & Innovation Quarter
- London Road & Lewes Road Regeneration Zone
- Hove Business District
Talk to a People Puzzles HR Consultant in Brighton
Whether you’re navigating complex change, planning for growth or tackling persistent people challenges, our Brighton-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.
Meet our Brighton HR consultancy team
Our Brighton People Directors combine senior HR leadership with commercial know-how and executive-level experience across sectors including tech, finance, hospitality, healthcare, education and the creative industries.
Our team has built strategic HR functions from the ground up, guided businesses through high-stakes mergers, investment rounds, complex restructures and international growth, and supported founders preparing for exit. Their backgrounds span global names such as Pret, Vodafone and Hotel Chocolat, alongside high-growth regional employers here on the South Coast.
With Brighton’s unique mix of start-ups, scale-ups and established brands, our team understands the challenges of attracting and retaining talent, structuring for growth, and developing leaders for the future.
Working with you for just a few days a month – and able to drive transformational change in short periods of time – they embed as part of your leadership team – aligning people strategy with commercial goals and creating workplaces where people thrive, and businesses achieve lasting success.
As Daniel Broome – Regional Director for the South of England – puts it, “So many businesses carry on suffering in silence and battling challenges because they don’t realise there’s a cure. But we’re here to show them there IS a cure – and that’s strategic people planning.”
Strategic HR Consultancy in Brighton – Building Performance and Accountability
GreenBlue Urban – Root and Branch Transformation
Challenge: East Sussex-based, family-run GreenBlue Urban employs around 30 people. Managing Director Roy Bowie initially turned to People Puzzles to resolve day-to-day HR issues. But it quickly became clear that a short-term fix wouldn’t be enough. To achieve his ambitious growth plans, Roy needed a longer-term strategic approach to strengthen leadership, engage staff, and improve performance across the business.
Solution: People Puzzles HR Director Zoë Murphy introduced departmental KPIs to link individual roles with business goals, ran workshops to strengthen senior leadership, and restructured departments to improve efficiency. She also supported a new reward framework tied to performance and helped managers address underperformance with confidence.
Results: Sales rebounded from a 75% dip in early 2020 to 120% above expectations in the first half of 2021, with the business on track to exceed its annual target. The leadership team became more accountable, staff embraced change, and greater autonomy allowed Roy to step back from day-to-day operations and focus on future growth.
“I used to have the view that HR was managing difficult cases and moving people on – with occasional support on recruitment. But I would like to pass on to other business owners and managing directors that 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.”
Roy Bowie, Managing Director – GreenBlue Urban
Strategic HR consultancy services for Brighton businesses
Brighton’s business economy is thriving, with digital agencies, creative studios, hospitality and professional services all growing fast. But growth brings challenges. Competing with London salaries makes it harder to attract and keep great people, and without clear career paths, communication and culture, even the best talent will move on.
Many Brighton leaders also find themselves stuck in the day-to-day, unable to step back and share vision or plan succession. Hybrid working has weakened knowledge transfer, outdated structures struggle to keep pace with scale, and too many founders are still firefighting when they could be leading strategy.
Our Strategic HR Consultants embed within your leadership team to tackle these issues head-on. By rethinking structures, strengthening leadership, and creating a culture that attracts great people, we free you up to work on the business, not just in it — building resilience, growth and future value.
Here are the most in-demand HR support services Brighton businesses turn to us for:
People Processes
Even the best teams can stall without clear processes. Our Strategic HR Consultants in Brighton streamline everything from hiring and onboarding to performance management and compliance – reducing risk and freeing up leadership time. We create practical, consistent systems that support retention, accountability and growth.
Strategic HR
Our Strategic HR Consultants in Brighton help ambitious businesses move beyond firefighting to create a clear, future-ready people plan. Whether you’re scaling, restructuring or preparing for exit, we align culture, leadership and structure with your long-term goals – helping you retain talent, reduce founder dependence, and unlock commercial value through people.
Leadership Development & Executive Coaching
Brighton businesses often have talented team members, but lack confident, well-rounded leaders. Our Strategic HR Consultants work alongside senior teams to develop the broader skills needed – from vision-sharing and communication to commercial thinking. We strengthen your internal leadership pipeline, so the business can keep moving forward.
Organisational Structure
Fast-growing Brighton businesses often scale without the right structure to support them. Our local Fractional People Directors help reshape organisations for clarity, accountability and growth – making sure leaders know their roles, teams pull in the same direction, and founders can step back from day-to-day firefighting to focus on strategy.
Talent Management & Retention
On the South Coast, many businesses lose their best people to London – or struggle to compete on salary alone. Our local People Directors help you build a stronger employee value proposition: one that offers culture, career progression and purpose. We create an environment where people want to stay– helping you attract and retain the talent you need to grow.
Culture Development
Without a shared vision, talent retention suffers and succession planning stalls. Our Brighton-based Fractional People Directors help define and embed the values, behaviours and leadership practices that create positive culture. By building trust, purpose and consistency, we help shape a working environment people want to commit to – and grow with.
Business Strategy
Big decisions need strong people foundations. Our Brighton-based People Directors work at board level to align your team, structure and leadership with your commercial goals – whether you’re scaling, restructuring, or preparing for exit. We help turn ambition into action with a people strategy that’s built for the future.
Why choose People Puzzles for strategic HR consultancy in Brighton?
Brighton’s business scene is as creative and ambitious as the city itself. From digital start-ups and independent agencies to financial services, hospitality and healthcare, it’s a place where talent, culture and innovation come together to create exciting opportunities.
But behind these opportunities, rapid growth and fierce competition with London salaries can create challenges. Attracting and retaining the right people, building clear career paths, tackling leadership gaps and freeing founders from day-to-day operations are issues many Brighton employers face.
This is where People Puzzles brings a unique proposition. More than operational HR consultants, our Fractional People Directors are senior business leaders who work at board level to embed structure, culture and clarity – aligning people strategy with business goals to drive growth, resilience and performance.
And with over 90 People Directors nationwide, you benefit from deep local insight – backed by the scale and shared expertise of a national team.
“It’s the whole people thing that has driven this. You hear business leaders saying people are your biggest asset and I neglected this before. But it’s absolutely true.”
Roy Bowie, Managing Director – GreenBlue Urban (East Sussex)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A Fractional People Director is an experienced HR leader who works with you part-time, giving you senior expertise without the full-time cost. Our Brighton-based People Directors become part of your team – aligning people strategy with growth plans, developing leadership, and unlocking potential. It’s a flexible, cost-effective approach that suits ambitious Brighton businesses looking to scale sustainably.
Operational HR takes care of the essentials: contracts, policies, compliance and employee relations. Strategic HR looks ahead – shaping culture, structure and leadership to meet future goals. Most Brighton employers need a balance of both. Our Strategic HR Consultants provide high-level, thought-leading direction, while ensuring everything is covered compliance-wise for total peace of mind.
This is a familiar challenge across Brighton and Sussex. Our Fractional People Directors work with leaders to put the right structures in place, strengthen line management, and bring clarity to roles. Often, it’s not about sweeping changes, but instead making targeted adjustments that allow individuals to thrive, and the business to achieve more.
They’re very much hands-on. Our Brighton People Directors spend time inside your organisation, getting to know how you operate, what motivates you and your people, and working closely with your leaders and teams. By understanding the day-to-day reality, they earn trust and deliver change that is practical, workable and measurable.
Yes. Brighton is home to two universities, a strong digital and creative scene, and a growing professional services sector – all of which means fresh talent is in demand. Our Strategic HR Consultants help sharpen your employer brand, shape career pathways, and build a culture that appeals to graduates and experienced professionals alike.
Definitely. Being good at the day job doesn’t always mean being confident at leading others. Our Brighton-based Fractional People Directors coach and mentor managers to improve their communication and leadership skills, giving them the tools they need to inspire teams and grow into strong future leaders.
Brighton’s economy is strongly influenced by tourism, hospitality and events, which often means big fluctuations in staffing needs. Our Fractional People Directors help you plan ahead – from designing flexible contracts and workforce models to creating retention strategies that keep your best people engaged year-round. The result is a more stable, motivated workforce, even in seasonal industries.
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 Brighton Today
Let’s move your Birmingham business forward – together
Whether you’re growing fast, reshaping your structure or developing your leadership team, our Brighton-based Fractional HR Directors are here to help. Working hands-on as part of your senior team, we bring clarity, focus and people expertise that drives real progress – and long-term results.
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.