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Organisational Structure
Helping you build a fit-for-purpose business structure that supports your goals
Is your organisational structure supporting your long-term vision – or is it holding you back?
As your business grows, the structure you started out with may no longer support your ambitions. Over time, gaps emerge, reporting lines blur and senior leaders can find themselves stretched too thin – or just not aligned at all. As a result, progress slows, communication breaks down, and opportunities are missed. You may just not have the right roles to meet future demand, or you may have people sitting in the wrong roles when they could be adding more value elsewhere.
At People Puzzles, we help businesses design the right organisational structure for sustainable growth, and help align teams, leadership and accountability behind your long-term goals.
Whether you need to reshape your senior team, clarify roles and responsibilities or set the right foundations to scale with greater confidence, we help you put the right people in the right places – and create the ideal conditions for better performance and long-term success.
Organisational Structure Case Study
Supporting a Lasting Legacy
Discover how People Puzzles enabled The Fine Bedding Company’s directors to step out of the day-to-day running of the business and concentrate on future strategic direction – and achieve B Corp status.
“Working with People Puzzles has enabled me and the team of Directors 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, develop cross team collaboration and enhance overall business performance, as well as supporting the achievement of B Corp status. She is a trusted advisor and sounding board to both me and my team.” – Claire Watkin, Managing Director, The Fine Bedding Company
Ready to create organisational structure that works for everyone?
Discover what happens when your people feel motivated, aligned and proud of the business they’re part of.
Book your free 30-minute consultation today
Call us on: 0345 646 5201 or email [email protected]
What is organisational structure?
Organisational structure – or business structure – is the framework that defines how roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are arranged within your business. It determines how decisions are made, how effectively people work together, and how successfully you can deliver on your business strategy.
A strong structure supports clarity, agility and accountability. Everyone understands their responsibilities, knows who to collaborate with, and feels proud of the contribution they are making. With aligned leadership, efficient reporting lines and the right people in the right roles, your business can scale more confidently and sustainably.
At People Puzzles, we help businesses review and redesign their organisational structure in line with their business strategy. Whether that means resolving overlaps, closing leadership gaps or reshaping your senior team, we bring structure, clarity and focus to your business – so it can move forward with purpose.
Learn more about Organisational structure in our Knowledge Hub
Why organisational structure matters
Your organisational structure affects how decisions are made, how clearly people understand their roles, and how effectively your business can respond to opportunities or challenges. Whether you’re aiming for growth, preparing for exit, or simply want things to run more smoothly, structure plays a vital role in long-term success.
- Faster decisions, fewer bottlenecks – With the right reporting lines, leaders lead and ambitions move forward
- Teams that know where they stand – Clarity around roles means less confusion and more accountability
- A business built to scale (or sustain) – Structure that evolves with your strategy avoids disruption down the line
- Less firefighting, more focus – Clear structure frees up leaders to think and plan, not constantly problem-solve
- Greater engagement and retention – When people understand the value of their roles, they stay – and thrive
How organisational design works at People Puzzles
We do more than simply suggest new reporting lines or rearrange organisational charts. Our experienced People Directors work inside your business to redesign team structures from the ground up, clarify accountabilities and align leadership behind your long-term goals.
Here’s how we work:
1.Understand your business goals
We begin by exploring where your business is now, and where it is headed. Whether you are restructuring, entering a new phase, or simply need more clarity around roles, we work to understand the operational and strategic context behind your goals.
2. Identify friction points and structural gaps
From unclear reporting lines and duplicated roles to stretched leadership teams, we uncover what is holding your structure back – and what needs to change to support your ambitions.
3.Design the right structure to meet your goals
We work with you to reshape your organisation in a way that supports your business vision – whether that’s growth, succession, stability or exit. We define clear roles, build leadership capacity and establish structures that make it easier for people to perform and stay accountable.
4.Implement, support and evolve
Working as part of your senior team, we work alongside you to embed the new organisational structure, communicate changes clearly, and equip your leaders and teams to thrive within it. As your business evolves, we continue refining the model so it stays fit for purpose.
“Working with People Puzzles has helped us focus on how we develop our future leaders, develop cross team collaboration and enhance overall business performance, as well as supporting the achievement of B Corp status.”
Claire Watkin, Managing Director – The Fine Bedding Company
What are the benefits of sorting your organisational structure?
Reduce risk with clear expectations
Clear values and behaviours reduce confusion, limit disputes, and protect your brand and reputation.
Improve productivity with aligned teams
When people feel connected and clear on goals, they perform better and need less hands-on management.
Retain talent by building belonging
A strong culture helps people feel valued and supported, making them more likely to stay long term.
Create a place people want to work
Your culture becomes a magnet for people who share your values and feel inspired to grow with your business.
Scale with confidence and clarity
Culture provides structure as you grow, helping you delegate, empower others, and lead more strategically.
Why Choose People Puzzles for Organisational Structure planning?
Clarity and accountability where it matters most
Our strategic People Directors work at the highest levels of your business to bring definition and focus to your team structure. We help clarify roles, reduce friction, and ensure everyone knows what they are accountable for – and why it matters.
Flexible, senior-level expertise without the full-time cost
You get a dedicated People Director with executive-level experience embedded in your leadership team – helping you build a fit-for-purpose organisational structure that supports your goals, and evolves as your business changes.
Turning structure into strategy
From reshaping leadership teams to streamlining internal operations, we have helped hundreds of businesses design and implement structures that support smarter decisions, faster growth and stronger performance. At Stockdale Martin, for example, clear structural improvements helped resolve longstanding people issues and boost business performance.
80+ strategic HR experts, 1,000+ businesses supported
Our nationwide team of over 80 People Directors brings real-world experience from the boardroom to your business – offering proven, practical insight on how to design a business structure that delivers.
“Rob and the team at People Puzzles have been instrumental in getting our team on the same page and setting us up for success.”
Giles Greenfield, CEO – Markham Private Clients Ltd
Organisational structure Development Success Stories
Yewdale – Restructuring for Resilience and Revenue Growth
Challenge: Leadership lacked clarity, HR was reactive not proactive, and engagement was inconsistent – limiting growth in a tough market.
Solution: People Director Mark Waine redefined roles, enhanced board efficiency, and strengthened leadership and communication.
Results: Revenue and profit increased despite difficult market conditions, and the business built a more resilient, engaged workforce with employees feeling heard and invested in the company’s future.
Markham Private Clients – Aligning Leadership for Sustainable Growth
Challenge: Rapid growth and a new acquisition meant Markham needed clearer leadership, stronger alignment, and a strategy to scale.
Solution: People Director Rob Cook helped define company values, develop team leaders, and embed a performance-driven management structure.
Results: The team is now strategically aligned, more engaged, and better positioned for growth – with the CEO freed to lead on business development.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is organisational design, and why is it important?
Organisational design is the process of structuring roles, teams and reporting lines to support your business strategy. For growing businesses, it ensures you have the right people in the right roles, with clear responsibilities and effective leadership – all essential for scaling sustainably and avoiding internal bottlenecks.
How do I know if our current business structure is holding us back?
Warning signs include blurred responsibilities, slow decision-making, duplicated roles, and/or key tasks relying too heavily on one person. If growth feels chaotic, leadership is overstretched, or team dynamics are breaking down, it may be time to review your business structure.
What does a scalable organisational structure look like?
A scalable organisational structure is clear, adaptable and aligned with your long-term goals. It has defined reporting lines, empowered leadership, and space for future growth – whether that’s new departments, locations, markets, or product lines. Most importantly, it avoids over-reliance on individuals and supports performance at every level.
How do you align team structure with company strategy?
Start with your business goals. Once you are clear on where the company is headed, you can map out the structure needed to deliver those goals – including leadership responsibilities, team capacity, and communication flow. At People Puzzles, we help businesses translate strategic aims into practical people plans that drive results.
What are the signs we need to restructure our leadership team?
If decision-making is slow, accountabilities are unclear, or growth plans are stalling, your leadership team may need reshaping. Other signs include leadership overlap, lack of strategic focus, or internal friction at the top. A leadership restructure can help realign responsibilities and improve business performance.
How can I reduce founder dependency in the business?
Founder dependency is common in growing businesses, and it often limits scalability. The solution lies in clear delegation, succession planning, and leadership development. We help founders build empowered senior teams, define strategic responsibilities, and free up their time to focus on the bigger picture.
What’s the difference between organisational structure and people strategy?
Organisational structure defines how your business is arranged – its roles, teams and reporting lines. People strategy is the broader plan for attracting, developing and retaining the talent you need to meet your goals. A good people strategy includes reviewing structure, but also focuses on culture, leadership and future skills.
How can we make sure our teams are working together, not pulling in different directions?
It starts with leadership alignment and role clarity. Teams need to understand both their responsibilities and how their work supports wider business goals. An effective organisational structure promotes collaboration, avoids duplication, and ensures everyone is working towards the same vision.
What role does succession planning play in organisational structure?
Succession planning ensures you always have capable people ready to step into key roles – essential for continuity and growth. It helps you future-proof your structure, reduce risk, and build leadership strength from within. A good organisational design supports this by identifying critical roles and potential talent gaps.
Ready to develop a strong organisational structure to help your business thrive?
When your people are happy, engaged and proud to work for you, your business thrives. Let’s talk about how we can shift your company culture to great.
Call us on: 0345 646 5201 or email [email protected]
Glossary
- Organisational Design: The process of structuring roles, teams, and responsibilities to support your business goals.
- Business Structure: How your business is set up to operate – including reporting lines, leadership roles, and team functions.
- Leadership Alignment: Getting your senior team pulling in the same direction with shared priorities and clear accountability.
- Scalable Structure: A business setup that can grow without becoming chaotic or breaking down.
- Role Clarity: Ensuring everyone knows what they’re responsible for, who they report to, and how they contribute to the business.
- Founder Dependency: When a business relies too heavily on its founder for day-to-day decisions, limiting its ability to scale or operate independently.
- Succession Planning: Preparing future leaders to take on key roles, so the business can keep moving forward.
- Strategic HR: Forward-thinking people support that directly aligns with your long-term business vision.
Want more information?
Have a look at our dedicated Fractional HR knowledge hub:
What does outsourced HR do?
How much does it cost to outsource HR?
What are the disadvantages of HR outsourcing?
What HR functions should not be outsourced?
Related Services
Company culture development is just one piece of the strategic HR puzzle.
Explore other ways we can support your people strategy:
Ready to Make Your Business a Great Place to Work?
At People Puzzles, our customised, data-driven, expert-led strategy guarantees that your people are not only managed but empowered to move your business forward. If you’re ready to reap the rewards of a solid company culture, share a few details and we’ll be in touch to discuss the next steps.
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.