0345 646 5201
HR Consultancy in Derby
Navigating scaling pains or fragile business structures? Facing talent drain, founder dependency or leadership weakness? Our Fractional People Directors are here to guide your Derby business through the challenges that are holding you back. Working hands-on at board level, they bring senior HR expertise into your organisation, putting people at the heart of your business strategy, strengthening leadership and culture, and delivering transformative results in just a few days a month, without the commitment of a full-time hire.
Strategic HR Consultancy in Derby
Derby’s economy is driven by advanced engineering, precision manufacturing and a strong professional services base. With Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Alstom anchoring world-class aerospace, automotive and rail clusters, the city combines heritage industries with cutting-edge innovation and a growing tech and digital scene.
But with scaling pains, leadership gaps and the challenge of competing with London salaries, many Derby businesses find themselves stretched and stuck – lacking the right people in the right roles, or leaders with the skills to drive growth.
That’s where our Derby-based Fractional People Directors step in. Working hands-on at board level, we align people strategy with commercial goals – creating future-proof structure, developing confident leaders, instilling positive culture, and ensuring your people are in the right roles to drive sustainable growth.
You’ll find us supporting businesses across Derby and its surrounding commercial districts, including:
- Derby City Centre
- Pride Park
- Raynesway
- Burnaston
- Sinfin
- Infinity Park Derby
- Derby Commercial Park
- Modwen Park Derby
- University of Derby Enterprise Centre
- Cathedral Quarter
Talk to a People Puzzles HR Consultant in Derby
Whether you’re navigating complex change, planning for growth or tackling persistent people challenges, our Derby-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 Derby HR consultancy team
Our Derby People Directors are more than HR consultants – they’re senior leaders, board advisers and commercial strategists with decades of experience in shaping organisations for growth and resilience.
They’ve held senior roles at global names such as Rolls-Royce, Vodafone and Northern Foods, and delivered transformation across family-run firms, public bodies and private equity-backed businesses. From high-stakes restructures and succession planning to leadership coaching and culture change, they bring the credibility and clarity that drives results.
This is a team that has doubled headcount for ambitious employers, boosted profits by 20%, built international HR functions and delivered award-winning employee engagement strategies. Whatever the challenge, they deliver measurable impact.
Working with you for just a few days a month, our Derby-based People Directors deliver transformational results fast – bringing clarity, focus and momentum where it’s needed most.
As Nicola Cavanagh – Regional Director for the Midlands – puts it, “Prioritising your people is key for business transformation” – and this remains the guiding focus here at People Puzzles as we drive change, and commit to delivering results for all our clients.
Strategic HR Support in Derby – Embedding People Strategy for Sustainable Growth
200 Degrees Coffee – Putting People at the Heart of Expansion
Challenge: 200 Degrees Coffee was on a steep growth curve, with 20 coffee shops, seven barista schools and a much-admired customer-focused culture. But while the business had a clear vision, it lacked an HR function to support its next stage. Leadership knew that without a structured approach to people and culture, rapid growth could put the brand’s strengths at risk.
Solution: People Director Ben Birchall began with a Discovery phase to capture employee feedback and highlight priorities. He then supported the appointment of a Head of People, co-created a company-wide people strategy, and established a dedicated People function. Alongside this, he facilitated leadership workshops and helped restructure senior roles – giving clarity at the top and embedding the foundations for sustainable, culture-led growth.
Results: 200 Degrees Coffee now benefits from a defined Employee Value Proposition, stronger internal communications, and a formal Performance and Development Review process. Its senior team is more unified, roles are clearer, and the business is set to expand with confidence – holding onto the culture that makes it stand out.
“As we grew, we knew that we needed a dedicated resource to manage our HR, and Ben supported that recruitment process and created a great foundation for the new head of HR, leaving the business in great shape.”
Stephen Fern, Managing Director, 200 Degrees Coffee (East Midlands)
Strategic HR consultancy services for Derby businesses
Derby’s advanced engineering, manufacturing and professional services economy creates huge opportunities for growth – but it also brings complex people challenges.
Many leaders find themselves bogged down in day-to-day operations, unable to focus on strategy. Others struggle with fragile frameworks that can’t keep pace with scale. Some have difficulty competing for top talent, or lack the leadership skills and structure that will support them into the future.
That’s where our Derby-based Strategic HR Consultants make the difference. Working as part of your leadership team, they bring clarity and momentum – rethinking structures, strengthening leadership capability and creating a culture where talent stays and thrives. The result? Less firefighting, more time to focus on strategy, and a business that’s built to grow with confidence.
Here are the most in-demand HR support services Derby businesses turn to us for:
People Processes
From recruitment and onboarding to performance reviews and compliance, our Strategic HR Consultants help Derby businesses create people management systems that save time, reduce risk and maintain consistency. With streamlined processes in place, leaders gain cast aside regulatory headaches, and instead focus on strategy.
Strategic HR
Our Derby-based Strategic HR Consultants bring the outside perspective and board-level expertise needed to shift the dial from firefighting to planning. By aligning people, culture and structure with your commercial goals, we help you compete for talent, scale with confidence and achieve sustainable growth.
Leadership Development & Executive Coaching
Derby is home to some of the UK’s best technical talent – but great engineers, developers or managers are not always natural leaders. We work closely with senior teams to strengthen people management skills, from motivating staff to communicating vision. The result? A new generation of confident leaders, ready to support succession, inspire their teams and carry businesses forward.
Organisational Structure
Rapid expansion can expose weak spots in structure. Without clarity, roles blur, accountability drops and leaders lose sight of the bigger picture. Our Derby-based Fractional People Directors reshape organisations to create clear reporting lines and stronger frameworks – so founders can focus on strategy, leaders can keep everyone moving in the right direction, and teams pull together towards shared goals.
Talent Management & Retention
Derby businesses typically face constant pressure to hold onto great people. Our People Directors help you stand out with a compelling employee experience – built on career progression, culture and purpose. We’ll help you compete with larger employers and bigger city salary offers, while also making sure your business is an appealing destination for locally-based graduate talent.
Culture Development
When companies scale quickly or transition from family-run to more formal structures, culture can get lost. Our Fractional People Directors work with Derby firms to define and embed values that resonate across every level of the business. The outcome? A culture of trust, accountability and pride that keeps people motivated, engaged and loyal.
Business Strategy
Derby’s industrial base is ambitious – but to succeed, businesses need people strategies that match commercial vision. Our People Directors work hands-on at board-level to align leadership, teams and structure with long-term goals, giving you the resilience to grow, adapt and seize new opportunities.
Why choose our strategic outsourced HR consultants in Derby?
Derby’s economy is built on technical excellence and innovation – from world-class aerospace and rail manufacturing to automotive, logistics, professional services and a growing tech scene.
But with talent pulled towards bigger city salaries, leadership gaps in technically strong industries, and structures strained by rapid growth, too many businesses are stuck firefighting instead of focusing on their ambitions.
This is where People Puzzles makes a clear difference. Our Derby-based Fractional People Directors are more than traditional HR consultants – they’re senior leaders, transformation strategists and board-level executives with a top level understanding of the challenges faced by growing businesses.
Working side-by-side with your team, they put processes in place to strengthen leadership, embed sustainable structures, and build the culture and resilience you need to move from “survive” to “thrive.”
Why People Puzzles?
- Proven commercial impact from day one
- Skills matched to your sector and Derby business needs
- Trusted by over 1,000 ambitious business leaders
- Fully flexible with no minimum commitment period
And with a network of more than 90 People Directors nationwide, you’ll benefit from Derby-focused expertise – backed by the shared knowledge, sector depth and collective strength of a national team.
“People Director Ben was really easy to get on with. He understood what was needed from the People function to add value to the company.”
Charlotte Coore, Head of People & Culture – 200 Degrees Coffee (East Midlands)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Fractional HR brings senior-level HR expertise into your business on a flexible, part-time basis – without the cost of a full-time hire. Our Derby People Directors embed at board level, getting to grips with your goals, teams and challenges, then shaping people strategies that flex as you grow. Because of their calibre and leadership backgrounds, they deliver impact fast – so transformation happens sooner than you might expect.
Operational HR keeps the basics running – compliance, policies and everyday people processes. Strategic HR looks ahead – aligning people with business goals, developing leadership capability, and creating the resilience needed to grow. That’s the focus of our Derby-based People Directors: working hands-on with leaders to build future-proof organisations.
Yes – this is a common challenge in Derby, especially for advanced manufacturers, logistics firms and tech scale-ups. Our People Directors work side-by-side with leadership teams to design structures that support growth, clarify roles and free up founders from firefighting, so the business can scale with confidence.
Attracting and retaining talent isn’t only about pay. Career progression, culture and purpose play just as big a role. Our Fractional People Directors help Derby employers define a compelling employee value proposition, build clear career pathways and create a workplace culture that makes people want to join and stay – even in competitive markets.
It’s common in Derby’s engineering and manufacturing sectors for managers to be promoted for technical expertise without support in leadership. Our People Directors provide mentoring and coaching to build communication, decision-making and people skills – creating confident leaders who can motivate teams and drive performance.
When informal setups no longer work, it can cause confusion, low morale and talent churn. Our Derby People Directors help restructure organisations, clearly define roles and strengthen leadership capability – all while preserving culture – so growth doesn’t come at the cost of stability.
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 Derby Today
Let’s design a people strategy that unlocks growth for your Derby business.
Our Derby-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.