0345 646 5201
HR Consultancy in Edinburgh
In Edinburgh’s high-performing economy, business leaders are typically under pressure to keep pace with change and unlock future growth. And all too often, the missing piece is a focused people strategy. Our locally based Fractional People Directors bring board-level expertise, putting people at the heart of your commercial goals and delivering transformational results with measurable ROI, without the cost of a full-time hire.
Strategic HR Consultancy in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is Scotland’s financial powerhouse and a hub of innovation. From world-leading financial services and government institutions to fast-growing life sciences, professional services and tourism, the city blends tradition with forward-looking enterprise.
But success brings pressure. Employers face rising costs, fierce competition for talent, and the challenge of building leadership capacity that keeps pace with growth. Without the right people strategies in place, even the strongest businesses risk slowing down.
That’s where our Edinburgh Fractional People Directors step in. Working hands-on with your leadership team, they align people, culture and structure with your commercial goals, creating resilient organisations that are ready for long-term success.
You’ll find us supporting businesses across Edinburgh and its key commercial districts, including:
- City Centre & Financial District
- Edinburgh BioQuarter
- West End & Haymarket
- Leith & Waterfront regeneration zones
- Southside professional and university districts
- New Town & George Street commercial hubs
Talk to a People Puzzles HR Consultant in Edinburgh
Whether you’re navigating complex change, planning for growth or tackling persistent people challenges, our Edinburgh-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 Edinburgh HR consultancy team
Our Edinburgh strategic HR consultancy team blends entrepreneurial experience, board-level expertise and international perspective, helping ambitious organisations strengthen leadership, retain talent and deliver sustainable growth in one of the UK’s most competitive markets.
Between them, our Fractional People Directors have scaled start-ups to multi-million-pound turnover, guided transformations across financial services, life sciences, technology, energy and government, and delivered award-winning programmes in culture, well-being and retention.
Their track record spans global brands such as BT, EE, National Trust and HS2, alongside executive leadership across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Australia.
From governance, risk and compliance to executive coaching, succession planning and organisational change, our Edinburgh People Directors bring clarity and strategic insight. Trusted by boards and founders alike, they align people strategy with commercial ambition – shaping resilient organisations that are built to last.
Rather than advising from a distance, they immerse themselves in your team, uncover real challenges, and deliver practical, people-first solutions that move your business forward and create lasting impact.
As Zoe Hamilton – Regional Director for Scotland – puts it, “Whether it’s misaligned leadership, disengaged teams or growing pains across multiple sites, getting the right people in the right seats with a shared direction can be transformational. That’s exactly where People Puzzles steps in – and the results are, quite literally, game-changing.”
Strategic HR Consultancy in Edinburgh – Building Stronger Teams for Sustainable Growth
Bear Scotland – Embedding a Future-Ready People Strategy
Challenge: Bear Scotland’s rapid expansion highlighted a gap between business growth and people processes. HR was often reactive, leadership development hadn’t kept pace, and retention risks were mounting. Without stronger structures, the business faced potential disruption to both culture and competitive performance.
Solution: Partnering with People Director Clyde Marwick, Bear Scotland began building HR capability on firmer ground. Clyde introduced a people strategy built around five key pillars, modernised benefits and reward schemes, developed leadership strength, and set a clear framework for organisational culture and identity. This provided a more sustainable foundation to support future growth.
Results: The company now benefits from a long-term people plan fully aligned with its commercial ambitions. Stronger leadership, refreshed processes, and a defined cultural framework mean Bear Scotland is well positioned to retain talent, strengthen engagement, and compete with confidence.
Strategic HR consultancy services for Edinburgh businesses
Edinburgh businesses may be thriving, but many leaders are feeling the strain. Rising costs, complex legislation, skills shortages and succession gaps can all hold back growth – especially when senior teams are caught up in day-to-day demands.
This is where our Edinburgh Fractional People Directors make a measurable difference. They bring board-level expertise to strengthen leadership, modernise people processes, and ensure compliance with Scotland’s evolving employment law. The result? Clearer structures, stronger culture, and people strategies that unlock future value while protecting the business you’ve worked hard to build.
Here are some of the most in-demand HR support services where our Edinburgh clients see the greatest impact:
People Processes
In Edinburgh’s regulated sectors and beyond, gaps in processes can be costly. From recruitment and onboarding to performance management and compliance, our Fractional People Directors design people systems that reduce risk, safeguard reputation, and support smooth day-to-day operations, freeing leaders to focus on growth and service delivery.
Strategic HR
Our Edinburgh Strategic HR Consultants help ambitious businesses move beyond short-term fixes to create future-ready people plans. By aligning leadership, culture and structure with your commercial goals, we build resilience and deliver measurable ROI. Whether you’re navigating regulation, succession, or scaling, we make sure your people strategy drives the business forward.
Leadership Development & Executive Coaching
Even strong technical teams can fall short without confident leaders. Our Edinburgh Strategic HR Consultants coach and mentor managers to improve communication, commercial focus and people skills, building a succession pipeline that ensures your business has leaders ready to guide the next phase of growth.
Organisational Structure
Outdated structures are one of the biggest barriers to growth in Edinburgh’s high-value sectors. Our People Directors redesign organisations to clarify accountability, reduce duplication and build capacity, ensuring teams deliver efficiently today while preparing the business for tomorrow.
Talent Management & Retention
Financial services, tech and life sciences employers in Edinburgh all face intense competition for skills. Our People Directors help sharpen your employer value proposition with career pathways, purpose-led culture and development opportunities, so you can attract top talent and retain the people who power long-term success.
Crisis and Project Support
When urgent people challenges arise – from redundancy consultations to employee disputes – you need trusted senior interim HR support. Our Edinburgh Strategic HR Consultants step in quickly to guide complex processes, protect your reputation, and provide hands-on, interim expertise at critical moments.
Business Strategy
Big ambitions need strong people foundations. Our Edinburgh Fractional People Directors work with boards to connect strategy and structure, aligning leadership capacity, culture and people plans with commercial objectives. The result is sustainable growth, reduced dependency on founders, and a business fit for the future.
Why choose People Puzzles for strategic HR consultancy in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh’s economy is dynamic and diverse, from financial services and government to life sciences, tech start-ups and world-class tourism. But rapid growth, shifting regulation and fierce competition for talent often leave leadership teams stretched, structures creaking, and culture under strain.
This is where People Puzzles introduces transformational value. Our Edinburgh Fractional People Directors are senior leaders and board-level strategists who’ve successfully guided businesses through the same challenges you’re facing right now.
By embedding in the day-to-day reality of your business, they uncover what’s holding you back, translate strategy into action, and deliver measurable improvements in leadership strength, structure and culture.
Why People Puzzles?
- Proven commercial impact from day one
- Expertise matched to Edinburgh’s financial, professional and innovation-led sectors
- Trusted by more than 1000 ambitious business leaders nationwide
- Flexible model with no minimum commitment period
And with a network of over 90 People Directors across the UK, you’ll benefit from Edinburgh-focused insight, backed by the scale, depth and shared expertise of a national team.
“We realised people were our greatest asset, and when we believed and invested in them, we could make our strategy happen.”
A People Puzzles Client
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A Fractional People Director is a senior HR professional who embeds within your leadership team on a part-time basis, typically a few days a month. For Edinburgh companies operating in competitive, high-value sectors like finance, tech and professional services, it’s a cost-efficient way to access board-level expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire.
Operational HR takes care of the essentials – policies, contracts, compliance and employee relations. Strategic HR goes further, aligning people strategy with business ambition, culture and long-term growth. Most Edinburgh businesses benefit from both. Our consultants make sure you stay compliant day-to-day, while also shaping leadership, structure and culture to prepare for the future.
Yes. In Edinburgh’s financial, legal and tech sectors, pay alone rarely secures loyalty. Our People Directors work with you to build a compelling employee offer – combining purpose, career pathways, development opportunities and flexible working – so your people choose to stay, even in a highly competitive market.
Definitely. Many fast-growing Edinburgh businesses face this gap. We coach and mentor managers to strengthen communication, leadership presence and team-building skills. This builds a strong pipeline of confident leaders who can inspire performance and support long-term business goals.
Both. If you’re facing immediate challenges – from redundancies and restructuring to disputes or sudden leadership gaps – we can usually step in quickly to provide on-site support. Many Edinburgh clients come to us at a critical moment and choose to continue with ongoing fractional HR support once the crisis is resolved.
Yes. While employment law is largely UK-wide, Scotland has its own tribunal system and procedural nuances. Our Edinburgh Fractional People Directors bring both legal awareness and practical experience, ensuring your business is protected and compliant while avoiding unnecessary risks.
It’s a real challenge for many Edinburgh employers, especially in regulated sectors like finance and professional services. From flexible working rights on day one to new Worker Protection Act requirements, the rules are shifting fast. Our Fractional People Directors stay ahead of these changes, updating policies, handbooks and processes so you remain compliant, without distracting leaders from running the business.
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 Edinburgh Today
Let’s design a people strategy that unlocks growth for your Edinburgh business.
Our Edinburgh-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.