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Your business grows faster when your people are
your advantage
Better people. Better business. Better life.™
We embed experienced HR Directors into ambitious businesses – part-time, long-term, commercially focused. Board-level people expertise, without the full-time cost, delivering instant, dramatic and long-lasting improvement.
WHO WE HELP
We work with ambitious business leaders navigating growth, change or turbulence
Whether you’re scaling fast, going through significant change, preparing for investment, or managing a period of real turbulence, the people side of the business tends to be where things get hard first. That’s exactly where we come in.
We work with businesses of all sizes. For some clients that means being the only HR expertise in the building. For others, it means working alongside and elevating an existing HR team to operate at a more strategic level.
You're good at what you do - but the people side is getting complicated
SOUND FAMILIAR?
You’re spending more time in the weeds than on the business. Performance is patchy. Good people are leaving. Or you’re about to grow significantly and you know the team isn’t quite ready. But you don’t have the capacity (or the HR expertise) to fix the root causes of the issues.
WHAT YOU NEED
A trusted expert who gets embedded in your business, understands your goals, and makes things happen. Not a consultant who hands you a report. Someone who rolls up their sleeves and gets stuff done so your business can achieve its potential – faster.
HOW IT WORKS
Part-time. Long-term. Embedded.
A People Puzzles HR Director works inside your business as part of your leadership team, not as an outside consultant. They get to know your people, your goals and your challenges. Then they get on with it, leaving you free to work on the business, not just in it.
Board-level expertise
Former HR leaders from Tesco, Balfour Beatty, Coca-Cola and BT. Experience that matters, deployed in your business.
Commercial first. HR second.
We’re business people who happen to be HR experts. Everything we do connects to your goals: growth, performance, profitability.
Matched to your business
85+ People Directors across the UK. We match you with the expert who has the right sector knowledge and the right approach.
Part-time cost. Full-time presence.
A dedicated expert who knows your business inside out — without the overhead of a full-time hire.
THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES
Better people. Better business. Better life.™
When you get the people side right, everything else gets easier.
20%
Year-on-year growth
30%
Above revenue target
35%
Reduction in recruitment costs
75%
Reduction in sick days
1,000+
Businesses supported
85+
People Directors
“I used to think HR was compliance and admin. I didn’t get the hugely positive impact strategic HR could make to the business — I do now.”
– Gavin Pooley, Managing Director, Liquidline
SIX IMPACT AREAS
Where we make the biggest difference.
Which of these would have the greatest impact on your business right now?
01
Structure for scale
Clear roles, accountability and leadership layers, so growth doesn’t create chaos, and decisions stop routing through you.
02
High performance culture
Defined values, behaviours and leadership habits that drive engagement, reduce attrition and create consistency at every level.
03
Leadership development
Build the leaders your business needs next, from managers finding their feet to senior leaders ready for the next stage of growth.
04
Talent attraction and retention
Find the right people and keep them longer. Reduce the cost and disruption of constant recruitment.
05
Succession and exit readiness
Build a business that can stand on its own; one that investors and buyers want to back, and great people want to work for.
06
People strategy at scale
For growing and established businesses: align your people strategy with your commercial ambitions at Board level, supporting sustained growth at pace.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Five steps to lasting change.
Our tried-and-tested process delivers instant, dramatic and lasting improvement.
A free honest conversation
30 minutes with a local expert. Useful advice whether you work with us or not.
Meet your People Director
Meet the expert who’s the right fit for your business and its challenges.
Your Success Roadmap
2–5 day discovery. A clear, practical plan, not a generic report.
We get on with it
No lengthy onboarding. Embedded fast, focused on the biggest wins first.
Long-term support
We stay with you as your business evolves, deepening our understanding over time.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Don't take our word for it
Honest feedback from the leaders we work with.
“After a period of significant change, we needed someone who could come in and actually solve problems, not just write reports. In the first three months, Conal helped us get structure where there was confusion.”
Andrew Whittle, MD
“Working with People Puzzles enabled me to step out of the day-to-day and concentrate on our future strategic direction. Sarah is a trusted advisor and sounding board to both me and my team.”
Claire Watkin, MD
“Having Alison on the team is like having another MD/MBA in the business. She totally transformed my understanding of HR.”
Managing Director
“The achievements of our People Strategy made a measurable difference to colleague engagement — and helped us transition from SME to market-leading corporate.”
Craig Bennett, CEO
Ready To Talk?
Find out what a People Director could do for your business.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. No obligation, no sales pitch — just a useful conversation about where you want your business to go next.
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.