0345 646 5201
HR Consultancy in Liverpool
Battling high talent turnover, skills shortages or the strain of scaling with a structure that’s no longer viable? Many Liverpool businesses face these challenges – but don’t realise there’s a solution. Our Fractional People Directors bring board-level strategic HR leadership into your team, resolving issues fast while building stronger structures, sharper culture and leadership resilience. Because when your people strategy is working for you, your business strategy really starts to fall into place.
Strategic HR Consultancy in Liverpool
Liverpool’s economy is powered by professional services, advanced manufacturing, digital innovation, health and life sciences, and a thriving maritime and logistics sector. With global names alongside ambitious SMEs and scale-ups, the city is rich in opportunity. But with evolving industries and shifting workforce expectations, employers face new challenges in staying competitive.
For many employers, weak structures, stretched leadership and high staff turnover are blocking growth. Founder-led businesses often face people challenges they feel too close to solve. And attracting and retaining the next generation of graduate talent requires clearer progression routes and stronger culture.
That’s where our Liverpool-based Fractional People Directors make a difference. Bringing board-level experience and practical insight, they step into the heart of your business to untangle people challenges, align people strategy with business strategy, and create the structure needed for sustainable growth.
You’ll find us supporting businesses across Liverpool and its key commercial districts, including:
- Liverpool City Centre
- Knowledge Quarter Liverpool
- Liverpool Waters
- Baltic Triangle
- Speke/Garston Employment Area
- Liverpool Innovation Park
- Estuary Commerce Park
- Liverpool John Moores University / University of Liverpool Enterprise Zones
- Daresbury Science Park
Talk to a People Puzzles HR Consultant in Liverpool
Whether you’re navigating complex change, planning for growth or tackling persistent people challenges, our Liverpool-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 Liverpool HR consultancy team
Our Liverpool Strategic HR Consultants are seasoned board-level leaders with commercial acumen and proven people expertise. They know how to deliver impact fast – drawing on established strategies and cross-sector knowledge.
Our team includes People Directors with backgrounds spanning manufacturing, engineering, technology, professional services, healthcare, retail, leisure and the charity sector.
They’ve held senior positions with global brands such as BT, Aviva, Mars, Kimberly-Clark, Mitsubishi and the BBC, as well as steering ambitious regional enterprises through investment rounds, international expansion, restructuring and succession planning.
By embedding into your business for just a few days a month, our Fractional People Directors bring measurable results and clear ROI – typically at 60–70% less than a full-time equivalent.
Clare Riches is Regional Director for People Puzzles North West. A seasoned business leader and celebrated entrepreneur, she scaled a start-up from £0–£10m in less than four years. She says: “Having a strategic people plan in place is proven to have a significant impact on your profitability and performance.”
Strategic HR Consultancy in Liverpool – Supporting Ambitious Growth through People Strategy
The Pet Vet – Restructuring for a Nationwide Future
Challenge: The Pet Vet, an independent veterinary group, faced a transformative acquisition that tripled its size overnight. With headcount rising from 82 to 263 across 12 surgeries, leaders needed to align two very different cultures, restructure operations, and free up time to focus on the legal and commercial demands of the deal.
Solution: People Puzzles People Director Vic Foster joined ahead of the acquisition to design a new organisational structure, lead consultation and redundancy processes, and oversee recruitment for key roles including a Head of People. Vic also implemented robust communication plans, introduced consistent policies, and migrated HR systems to support retention in a sector already battling long recruitment cycles.
Results: The acquisition was successfully completed, taking turnover from £6.2m to £19m in just one year, with a forecast of £23m the year after. 70% of the workforce transitioned smoothly into new roles, internal promotions were achieved, and a new people strategy was embedded to underpin growth. The Pet Vet is now the UK’s largest independent vet group, positioned for further expansion with a clear, sustainable people framework.
“People Puzzles came in with the level of competence we needed for the challenge that we faced.”
Mel Fuller, Managing Director – The Pet Vet (North West and Nationwide)
Strategic HR support for Liverpool businesses
Liverpool’s economy is alive with opportunity – from professional services and advanced manufacturing to digital, health and the creative industries. But many businesses face people challenges that slow growth.
Some operate without any formal HR function, relying on overstretched managers to handle complex issues. Others are scaling quickly but lack the leadership layers or structure to support expansion.
Our Liverpool-based Strategic HR Consultants go beyond an advisory role to bring all of these challenges into line. They roll up their sleeves, working alongside your leadership team to redesign structures, strengthen succession pipelines and embed the culture that keeps talent engaged.
Their goal: to take the pressure off founders and managers, while creating the systems and leadership framework to support future expansion.
Here are some of the most in-demand strategic HR services Liverpool businesses turn to us for:
People Processes
Growth and change put pressure on core HR processes. Without consistency in recruitment, onboarding or performance reviews, engagement suffers. Our Liverpool Strategic HR Consultants streamline processes to create clarity and compliance – giving leaders the stable foundation needed to deliver on strategy.
Strategic HR
Without a clear people strategy, even the strongest firms risk losing sight of their ambitions. Our Fractional People Directors bring external perspective and board-level expertise, aligning people with commercial goals to build structure, strengthen leadership and keep your Liverpool organisation moving forward with confidence.
Leadership Development & Executive Coaching
Liverpool has deep pools of technical and entrepreneurial talent, but not every skilled professional is prepared for leadership. Our Fractional People Directors coach and support managers to build confidence, sharpen communication and motivate teams. The result is a stronger leadership pipeline that fuels sustainable growth.
Organisational Structure
As Liverpool companies grow, many outpace their structures. When roles blur and accountability weakens, momentum stalls. Our Strategic HR Consultants reshape organisations so responsibilities become clear team-wide, leaders develop confidence, and founders are freed up from daily firefighting to focus on driving the business forward.
Talent Management & Retention
Competition for talent in Liverpool is intense, and from graduates to senior specialists, high turnover can derail growth. Our People Directors help employers stand out with compelling employee value propositions, clear career pathways and cultures that encourage people to join, stay and grow with your business.
Culture Development
When values are unclear or leadership is stretched, culture quickly drifts. Our Liverpool-based Fractional People Directors work with you to define and embed behaviours that inspire trust, accountability and motivation – turning culture into a driver of performance and loyalty.
Business Strategy
Ambition alone won’t prepare a business for change. Without a clear people strategy that’s aligned to your business strategy, growth can stall. Our Liverpool-based Fractional People Directors ensure teams, structures and leadership support your commercial vision – building the foundations needed for long-term success.
Why choose People Puzzles for strategic HR consultancy in Liverpool?
Liverpool is a city with deep heritage and modern ambition – but one where talent shortages, graduate attraction, and leadership gaps often hold businesses back. Many founder-led firms also struggle to balance day-to-day firefighting with the need to plan for long-term growth.
This is where People Puzzles makes a tangible difference. Our Liverpool-based Fractional People Directors are more than operational HR consultants – they’re senior leaders and board-level strategists who’ve faced the same pressures.
By embedding into your business, they help strengthen leadership teams, design clear and resilient structures, and create cultures where people want to stay and perform. So you can move forward with your plans, safe in the knowledge you have a strong people-based platform to support you.
Why People Puzzles?
- Commercial results that make a difference from day one
- Experience tailored to Liverpool’s diverse industries and business challenges
- Trusted by over 1,000 business leaders nationwide
- Flexible engagement with no long-term tie-in
And with a network of more than 90 People Directors across the UK, you’ll gain Liverpool-specific expertise – backed by the collective strength, knowledge and insight of a national team.
“People Director Vic was an objective ear for us and a good sense checker who made herself available for us to consult with her when needed.”
Mel Fuller, Managing Director – The Pet Vet (North West and Nationwide)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A Fractional People Director is a senior HR leader who works with you on a part-time basis, giving you access to board-level expertise without the cost of a full-time hire. Our Liverpool People Directors embed directly into your business, aligning people strategy with commercial goals, strengthening leadership, and creating the structures needed for sustainable growth. It’s a flexible, cost-effective model that suits ambitious organisations across the city and wider region.
Operational HR keeps the day-to-day running smoothly – from compliance and contracts to policies and employee relations. Strategic HR goes further – developing leaders, shaping culture, and designing structures that fit your long-term ambitions. Many Liverpool businesses benefit from both. Our People Directors provide the senior-level strategic input you may be missing, while ensuring your operational HR is consistent and effective.
Yes. Many Liverpool clients come to us from exactly this situation. Our People Directors stabilise immediate issues, put robust processes in place, and design frameworks that give your business a platform for growth. Whether you’re tackling compliance gaps, high turnover or cultural challenges, we meet you where you are and move you forward.
Yes. Many Liverpool organisations have deep roots and proud legacies. Our People Directors understand the sensitivities of balancing heritage with progress. We help modernise structures, develop leadership, and refresh culture in a way that protects the values and customer loyalty you’ve built over generations.
Absolutely. With the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and Edge Hill producing skilled graduates each year, competition for talent is strong. Our People Directors help you define a compelling employer brand and employee value proposition, create clear development pathways, and build a culture that appeals to the next generation.
This is a common challenge in Liverpool’s industrial, logistics and tech sectors. Our Fractional People Directors coach and mentor managers to improve communication, decision-making and people skills. The result is confident leaders who can inspire teams, reduce founder dependency, and support long-term business resilience.
Our Liverpool People Directors embed directly into your business, spending an agreed number of days per month on-site to understand and help you resolve your challenges from the inside. By building trust with leaders and teams, they deliver practical, tailored solutions – not just surface-level advice at the end of the phone.
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 Liverpool Today
Let’s design a people strategy that unlocks growth for your Liverpool business.
Our Liverpool-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.