0345 646 5201
HR Consultancy in Chelmsford
If high staff turnover, overstretched managers or post-restructure uncertainty are holding back your plans for innovation, it’s time to rethink what strategic HR can deliver. Our Chelmsford Fractional People Directors make your people strategy the secret weapon for growth, embedding into your senior leadership team to align people with your wider commercial goals, and delivering measurable impact and ROI in just a few days a month, without the cost of a full-time HR hire.
Strategic HR Consultancy in Chelmsford
Chelmsford businesses face a mix of challenges, from restructuring and talent retention to leadership gaps and overstretched managers. Many leaders still see HR support as compliance or admin, when in reality the right people strategy can become a secret weapon for sustainable growth.
If issues like these are holding your business back, our Chelmsford Fractional People Directors are here to help.
Working hands-on at senior leadership level, they bring the expertise to build resilient structures, strengthen leadership capability, and create the culture you need to attract and retain talent.
Whether you’re scaling, restructuring or planning for the future, we help move businesses from reactive problem-solving to confident, long-term growth.
You’ll find us supporting organisations across Chelmsford and its nearby commercial centres, including:
- Chelmsford City Centre
- Chelmer Village & Retail Park
- Springfield & Boreham Interchange
- University of Essex
- Braintree & Stansted corridor
Talk to a People Puzzles HR Consultant in Chelmsford
Whether you’re navigating complex change, planning for growth or tackling persistent people challenges, our Chelmsford-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 Chelmsford HR consultancy team
Our Chelmsford HR consultancy specialists combine board-level expertise with hands-on experience, helping ambitious businesses strengthen leadership, structure and culture to unlock growth.
Between them, they’ve delivered £11m in cost savings, turned a £6m loss into profit, and supported organisations in achieving B Corp, Investors in People and Great Place to Work status. Their backgrounds include senior roles at BT, Balfour Beatty, Serco, Aviva and Kinnerton Confectionary, as well as scaling HR functions in biotech, engineering, retail and education.
But credentials are only half the story. What sets our People Directors apart is how they work, embedding directly into your senior leadership team, analysing challenges, and designing practical solutions that build clarity, capability and resilience.
From managing restructures to building succession pipelines, they’re trusted partners to CEOs who want to move beyond day-to-day issues and focus on long-term growth.
And while our Chelmsford team knows the local business landscape inside out, you’re never limited to just regional experience. People Puzzles is the UK’s largest and longest-established fractional HR provider, supported by Regional Directors and a strong central resourcing team. So whatever challenge you’re facing, one of our People Directors has solved it before – and can bring proven solutions straight into your business.
As Katrina Walker – Regional Director for the East of England – puts it, “Our mission is to help businesses become more profitable and desirable places to work.”
Strategic HR Consultancy in Essex – Embedding Innovation for Sustainable Growth
GT Engine Services – Building Stronger Structures for the Future
Challenge: With ambitious growth plans, Essex-based GT Engine Services recognised that its people strategy wasn’t keeping pace with business objectives. Processes lacked alignment with future goals, accountability wasn’t clear, and talent management wasn’t robust enough to secure long-term success. Without change, the company risked stalling momentum just as opportunity was opening up.
Solution: People Director Kathryn Marshall conducted a deep review of existing processes, working closely with leadership to connect people strategy with business strategy. Together, they embedded clear mission and values, streamlined accountability to drive productivity, and introduced stronger talent management practices. The aim was to hardwire innovation into company culture while building the structural foundations for growth.
Results: Engagement improved, teams became more focused, and innovation is now a defining feature of how GT Engine Services operates. With People Puzzles’ ongoing support, the leadership team has a clear line of sight between people performance and business goals – ensuring growth is sustainable and aligned with long-term ambitions.
“The strong focus we have had on people and developing the right culture has played a major part in the success of the business. We are able to attract and keep great people as we are known in the industry to be a great place to work.”
Tracey Clark, Chief Operating Officer – GT Engine Services (Essex)
Strategic HR consultancy services for Chelmsford businesses
Chelmsford’s businesses are known for their culture of innovation, but they’re also under pressure to do more with less, from managing growth after investment and stabilising teams post-restructure, to future skills planning. Leaders know people are the key, but without a clear strategy, time and energy get drained by day-to-day issues.
Our Chelmsford People Directors step in with a fresh perspective. They help you design people frameworks that unlock leadership capacity, build succession strength, and keep talent engaged for the long term.
With commercial and legal know-how on your side, you’ll have the structures and culture to deliver on your goals with confidence.
Here are the most in-demand HR support services Chelmsford businesses call on us for:
People Processes
From onboarding to compliance, weak processes put businesses at risk. We design clear, scalable systems that protect the business, support managers and keep teams performing through change.
Strategic HR
Chelmsford’s ambitious businesses need more than compliance – they need people strategies that fuel growth. Our Fractional People Directors work at senior level to align leadership, structure and culture with your commercial goals, creating resilient teams and measurable value.
Leadership Development & Executive Coaching
Technical skills aren’t enough to lead growth. We coach senior and mid-level managers to step up with stronger people skills, communication and confidence – building a leadership pipeline that supports long-term ambition.
Organisational Structure
When roles blur and founders are stretched too thin, growth stalls – highly typical following restructures and acquisitions. We help redesign organisational structures that clarify accountability, strengthen performance and create capacity for succession or investment.
Talent Management & Retention
Chelmsford employers face fierce competition for talent. We help shape a compelling Employer Value Proposition – balancing purpose, progression and culture – so you attract and keep the people who power growth.
Culture Development
Restructuring and fast growth can quickly turn culture toxic, impacting productivity and morale in the process. We work hands-on with leadership teams to embed values, behaviours and habits that drive accountability and innovation, building workplaces people want to be part of.
Business Strategy
Big ambitions so often falter without the right people plan. We connect leadership, culture and structure with commercial goals – turning strategy into practical steps that deliver growth and resilience.
Why choose People Puzzles for strategic HR consultancy in Chelmsford?
As the Capital of Essex, Chelmsford brings together advanced manufacturing, engineering, logistics and a strong university presence, creating a thriving hub of innovation and growth. But with restructuring, rising costs and talent competition across the region, too many businesses are left focusing on everyday challenges instead of making plans for the future.
That’s where People Puzzles makes the difference. Our Chelmsford Fractional People Directors are seasoned board-level leaders who’ve steered businesses through transformation, built high-performing cultures and delivered measurable commercial results. They embed into your senior team to create a clear, future-ready people strategy that powers sustainable growth.
Why People Puzzles?
- Proven commercial impact from day one
- Expertise spanning manufacturing, engineering, education and innovation-led sectors
- Trusted by over 1,000 innovative business leaders nationwide
- A fully flexible model with no minimum commitment period
- Board-level HR support at 60–70% less than the cost of a full-time hire
And with a network of more than 90 People Directors nationwide, you’ll benefit from Chelmsford-focused expertise, backed by the collective strength, sector depth and shared insight of a national team.
“We had ambitious growth plans, but the question we needed answering was how to grow our team to support growth. Victoria has helped us plan for this and get it right.”
Matt Anderson, Managing Director – Planteria (Essex)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Fractional HR consultancy gives you access to board-level HR leadership on a part-time basis. For innovative Chelmsford businesses balancing growth with cost control, it’s a way to embed strategic expertise without the overheads of a full-time hire, helping you scale with confidence.
Operational HR covers the essentials: contracts, compliance and day-to-day employee relations. Strategic HR looks ahead, aligning people, leadership and culture with your business goals. Most Chelmsford employers need both – and our People Directors deliver a balance of practical compliance and forward-looking strategy.
Yes. Our Fractional People Directors spend time inside your business, whether you’re based in Chelmsford, Braintree, Stansted or across Essex. By being embedded with your team, they get under the skin of your culture and challenges – and lead change from within.
Absolutely. Many Essex businesses are navigating change and uncertainty. We help stabilise teams, rebuild leadership confidence, and create clear structures that support long-term performance – turning disruption into an opportunity to reset for growth.
Yes. With competition from London and beyond, pay alone isn’t enough to keep the best people. We sharpen your employer value proposition, strengthen career pathways and build cultures that make people want to stay.
Yes. Our People Directors have experience in advanced manufacturing, engineering, aviation and logistics, as well as tech and innovation-led businesses. They combine sector insight with a tailored discovery process to understand your organisation’s unique challenges.
We do both. Whether it’s redundancy consultation, executive coaching or preparing for investment, we can step in on a project basis. Most Chelmsford clients see the greatest value, however, in having a Fractional People Director embedded as part of their leadership team long term, for lasting impact.
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 Chelmsford Today
Let’s design a people strategy that unlocks growth for your Chelmsford business.
Our Chelmsford-based Strategic HR Consultants work alongside your leadership team to drive transformational change. It’s hands-on, board-level expertise that delivers lasting impact in a short timeframe.
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.