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Your people function is good. Does it have everything it needs for what is coming next?
Established businesses with a Chief People Officer / People Director or HR team already in place face a different kind of people challenge. The question is not whether to invest in people leadership, but instead, whether your people function has the capacity, the specialist expertise and the senior support it needs to handle everything the business is asking of it right now.
Sometimes the answer is yes. Often, at the moments that matter most – a major change programme, a period of rapid growth, a leadership transition, a complex project that needs a specialist – the answer is “not quite”.
People Puzzles works with established businesses to provide exactly what is missing: senior people expertise, deployed quickly, in whatever form the situation demands, whether that’s filling an interim HR gap, or providing ongoing “fractional twinning” support.
It is rarely one thing. Here is what we hear most often.
The businesses that come to us at this stage are not looking to build a people function – they already have one. What they need falls into a number of recognisable patterns:
- The people team is stretched and something important is not getting the attention it deserves
- A major project, like a restructure, M&A integration, TUPE, or a systems implementation, needs dedicated leadership that the existing team cannot provide on top of everything else
- The business needs specialist expertise – reward, organisational design, employee relations, ED&I – that does not sit within the current team
- A senior HR leader has left at short notice and the business needs immediate interim HR cover at the right level
- The People Director needs a thinking partner, a sounding board, or peer-level support for a particularly complex period
- The HR team has solid operational capability but needs development to operate more strategically
None of these are signs of a failing people function. They are signs of a business with ambitions that its people team is working hard to keep pace with. We provide what is needed, at the level it needs to be provided.
Five ways we add to you HR capability (not replace it)
Everything People Puzzles does with established businesses is built around complementing your existing team, not challenging it (though we can do that too, if you need us to). The aim is always to increase what your people function can do, its capacity, its capability, its seniority, without creating dependency or undermining what is already working.
Additional fractional People Director
A senior People Puzzles People Director works part-time within your business. That could be for a specific division, region, major programme or strategic workstream that needs its own dedicated people leadership. This is board-level seniority, applied to exactly where the business needs it, without the cost of a permanent hire. It’s a great option for businesses running complex programmes in parallel, or for those with multiple business units that each need strategic people input.
Interim People Director
When a senior HR or People Director leaves suddenly, when a major programme needs full-time dedicated leadership, or when the business is navigating a critical transition, an interim People Director provides immediate, board-level cover. Because our People Directors are already part of our team, deployment is measured in days, not weeks. The interim engagement has a defined purpose and end point — and can transition to an ongoing fractional arrangement if that is what the business needs next.
Fractional twinning
A People Puzzles People Director works directly alongside your existing People Director — not as a subordinate, but as a peer and partner. This is the model for businesses whose People Director is at full capacity, needs specialist expertise for a specific challenge, or is navigating a major programme while trying to keep everything else moving at the same time. Fractional twinning gives your People Director back the strategic thinking time and specialist resource that intensive periods tend to consume. It is the People Director’s People Director.
Mentoring for People Directors
Senior people leadership is an often isolated role. People Directors carry complex, high-stakes decisions and rarely have an internal peer to think with. People Puzzles provides one-to-one mentoring from People Directors who have held exactly these roles — not coaching, not training, but a genuine peer relationship with the experience to back it up. Right for People Directors stepping into a first board-level role, navigating a particularly demanding period, or preparing for their next career move.
HR team development
A capable HR team with untapped potential is one of the most common things we find in established businesses. The gap is usually not effort or commitment — it is strategic exposure, specialist skills and the confidence to operate at a higher level. We develop HR teams through a combination of structured input, specialist knowledge transfer and on-the-job capability building, working alongside a senior practitioner over time. The result is a team that does not need us indefinitely — one that has grown into what the business needs it to be.
The need looks different depending on where you sit.
If you are the CEO or MD
You have invested in people leadership. The question is whether it has everything it needs to deliver at the level you need right now. Whether that means capacity for a major programme, specialist expertise for a specific challenge, or interim cover for an unexpected gap — we provide it quickly, at the right level, without disrupting what is already working.
If you are the CFO
You need senior people expertise — immediately available, specialist where required, scaled to what the business actually needs — without adding permanent headcount, a six-figure salary commitment or a drawn-out recruitment process. Every People Puzzles engagement is scoped to the specific requirement. The cost is transparent, the commitment is flexible, and there is no recruitment fee.
If you are the People Director or HR Director
You know better than anyone what is missing. Whether you need capacity to lead a major programme without dropping everything else, specialist expertise you do not have in-house, a peer to think through the hardest decisions with, or support to develop your team — we provide it in a way that works alongside you, not around you. This is support for your function, not a signal that anything is wrong with it.
What senior people support looks like when it is done well.
When Connected Places Catapult undertook a complex organisational transformation, the existing HR function — solid operationally — was not resourced to lead the scale of change required. The CEO was clear: successful transformation depends on having the right people leadership in place first.
People Puzzles provided a senior People Director working alongside the existing team, embedded in the leadership conversations from day one and accountable for the people side of the transformation throughout.
What the engagement delivered:
- Performance management systems designed and embedded across the organisation
- HR function rebuilt into strategic business partners
- Five internal promotions — external expertise developed, not replaced, internal talent
- Minimal redundancies across a complex, multifaceted transformation
- People infrastructure built for what the organisation needed to become
Dy came in to support us through a massive change programme. She quickly got up to speed, gaining the confidence of both the senior team and the HR team. Her approach is in understanding culture and personalities and bringing quick and clear solutions. She was instrumental in us achieving an excellent outcome.
Erika Lewis, CEO — Connected Places Catapult
FAQs
Will this undermine or replace our existing People Director?
No — and this is the question we are asked most often at this level, usually by the People Director themselves. Everything we do with established businesses is explicitly additive. Our People Director works alongside yours, not instead of them. The aim is to increase capacity, bring in specialist expertise, or provide support for a specific programme — not to challenge what the existing team has built. If that was not made clear from the first conversation, it would not be a good engagement.
How quickly can you deploy someone?
Because our People Directors are already part of our team, we are not running a search. In most cases we can match you with the right person and have them in place within days. The match matters — sector experience, the specific challenge, how they will work alongside your existing team — and we take it seriously, but the process is fast.
Do you need to be managing a major project to use this?
No. Some of our most valuable engagements at this level are not project-led at all — they are ongoing support arrangements where the additional capacity, specialism or peer-level support makes a consistent difference to how the people function operates. That said, a specific project or change programme is a very common starting point.
What if we just need a specialist for a specific area -- reward, ER, ED&I -- rather than a generalist People Director?
We can provide that. Our network of 85+ People Directors includes depth in specific disciplines alongside generalist capability. If your need is genuinely specialist rather than broad, we will match you to someone with that specific expertise. The engagement can be narrowly scoped or broader — we build it around what you actually need.
Is this appropriate for the public sector or not-for-profit organisations?
Yes. Our People Directors work across commercial businesses, charities, arts organisations, education bodies, housing associations and public-sector-adjacent organisations. The people challenges at this level — capacity, specialist expertise, major change, leadership development — are not sector-specific. The right People Director will have relevant sector experience.
How long do these engagements typically run?
It depends on what the business needs. An interim engagement covering a leadership gap or a specific programme might run for three to six months. A fractional twinning arrangement supporting a major change programme might run for a year or more. Mentoring relationships often continue for several years because the value of a trusted peer compounds over time. We build the engagement around the need, not a standard contract.
Organisations our People Directors have had a lasting impact on
Tell us what your people function needs. We will find the right fit.
Whether it is capacity for a major programme, specialist expertise the team does not currently have, interim cover at short notice, peer support for your People Director, or development for your HR team — the conversation starts the same way. Tell us the situation. We will tell you what we can do, and how quickly.
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.