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Fractional HR: the secret to SME success
Imagine being able to access the best strategic talent in the UK exactly when you need it.
Imagine Board-level support that doesn’t require six months of recruitment and onboarding.
Imagine no fixed-term contracts, no long-term risk, and the proven experience of a strategic people expert at your side to drive business growth and overcome obstacles.
That’s exactly what fractional HR offers. All the benefits, without the risks.
People Puzzles is the leading provider of fractional People Directors in the UK, giving growing businesses access to top tier talent to help drive:
- Business strategy and growth
- Leadership and management excellence
- Organisational structures to deliver your goals
- Best-in-class people processes
- Talent attraction, retention and engagement
- High performance cultures
…and a whole lot more. Whether you’re looking to secure investment, plan for succession or exit, expand internationally or simply strengthen your position in your sector, a strategic people expert is an essential ingredient for success.
Scroll down to find out more about fractional HR or get in touch to have a no obligation chat about how strategic people planning can benefit your business and every person in it.
Fractional HR frequently asked questions
What is fractional HR?
Fractional HR is the final piece of the jigsaw that can accelerate your business to fast growth. SMEs can access a high-calibre People Director with experience of working at board-level for some of the UKs top brands, for a fraction of a full-time hire. On average, People Puzzles clients grow 30% in 12 months of working with our People Directors.
People Puzzles is the leading provider of fractional People Directors in the UK. Our team offer a wide range of strategic HR solutions tailored to the needs of your business, including strategic people planning, leadership and management development, and talent attraction and retention to support organisational growth. Our approach ensures that businesses can access high-quality HR expertise without the cost or commitment of hiring a full-time People Director.
Is fractional HR the same as HR consultancy?
Fractional HR is more than just consultancy; it combines the strategic insights of HR consulting with the practical, hands-on support of an in-house Director. Unlike traditional consultancy, which often focuses on one person providing advice and recommendations and then moving on to the next job, fractional People Directors integrate directly into your business. Nearly half our clients have worked with a People Director for over 2 years.
Our team stay with you and deliver your goals. Having a People Puzzles People Director also means that you gain the compound benefit of the UKs top People Directors, so expert advice is always on hand. We can provide seamless cover if your People Director is unable to continue for any reason. As well as advice from 90 nationwide People Directors, you also have the support of your local Regional Director who will work with you to understand your requirements and suggest the most appropriate People Director to help you grow.
What sectors can fractional HR help?
Collectively our team of nearly 100 nationwide People Directors has experience of every business sector. We have people who have worked at the biggest names in tech, construction, retail, energy, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, biotech, media and many more.
We understand that every sector has slightly different needs and challenges. Our team can use their expertise to position your business to stand out within your industry.
Who benefits from fractional HR?
Fractional HR benefits ambitious mid-tier businesses that need help with aligning their people plans to achieve their goals without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. Businesses gain access to high-calibre HR expertise tailored to their specific needs. Our fractional People Directors often work with a client one day a week to improve their HR processes, enhance employee satisfaction, and support organisational growth, all while maintaining flexibility and cost efficiency.
How does fractional HR differ from interim HR?
Working with a fractional People Director means that you have a trusted people expert working with you for the long haul. Our team do not just deliver on one particular project, but they remain with you and collaborate with your leaders for as long as you need support to achieve your commercial goals.
If you have been considering appointing an interim HR Director, there could be an even better way. A fractional HR Director could be the ultimate solution if you’re looking for breadth and depth of experience, the ability to hit the ground running, and the commercial, strategic insight to add real value from day one.
For most clients, a fractional People Director one or two days a week ongoing is ideal, especially as they can dial up and down on demand. But sometimes, clients need people expertise on a slightly different basis, such as for a significant change management project, a high-calibre maternity cover, help upskilling an existing HR team, or leadership coaching.
What type of businesses benefit from fractional HR?
Fractional HR is the magic ingredient that can significantly boost growth without the overhead of a full-time People Director. Our clients often face rapid growth and changing needs, and the People Puzzles fractional model offers flexible, on-demand support tailored to these dynamic environments. We work with start-ups, scale-ups, established businesses, family-owned, PE-backed, university spinouts, private sector, public sector, third sector and more. Our clients are not tied into long-term contracts so benefit from a flexible relationship with a People Director. Services such as strategic HR planning, talent acquisition, and employee engagement can help start-ups build a strong foundation and culture from the outset.
See what our clients say!
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 have 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 of the People Strategy over this period have made a measurable difference to colleague 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.
Shaun changed the way we approach our senior meetings and helped develop our strategy.
Chair, Regular Cleaning
Shaun worked closely with me and the senior team and taught us a lot. He changed the way we approached our senior meetings and helped us develop our strategy. 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 already had on our challenges are beyond my expectations
James Laxton, Managing Director, Laxtons
The impact Lynn has already had on the challenges we gave her are beyond my expectations. 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.
A trusted partner providing valuable scrutiny of our HR practices.
Crawford Knott, Managing Director, Hawk Training
Our workforce and people planning strategy needed developing, there was a clear need to better articulate our strategy. Doing the People Puzzles Discovery, allowed us to gain an objective view of where we were as a business and where we needed to develop in order to meet our goals. The output highlighted we needed to better define our vision, mission, values and strategy to enable our people to live and breathe them. Kerry worked closely with us to provide solutions and a plan to support implementation. I would certainly recommend a Discovery from People Puzzles if you want to gain a clear insight as to where you need to develop your strategy, or to implement one if it’s something you don’t have already.
Janet and People Puzzles have been invaluable to me and my Senior Team.
Dave Henderson, Group CEO, Direct Voice and Data
Janet spent time understanding our business needs and aspirations, then developed a people management strategy which she continues to oversee and deliver. Janet also provides 1-2-1 coaching to the SMT- she is professional, proactive and friendly and we are extremely pleased with the support and advice we have received. Janet is always available and quick to respond, the guidance and assistance given allows us to feel confident we’re approaching any HR matters the right way. I would happily recommend Janet to any business who needs HR support.
Alison only worked for us part-time but had a full-time presence and influence.
Duncan Forbes, Interim CEO, Valleys to Coast
Alison was always a sound, reliable and expert source of practical advice and made things happen. She has a good sense of humour and was very easy to work with. She acted as the sounding board that every Chief Executive needs, supporting the Board to deal with some difficult HR issues. She was a vital source of calm at the outbreak of the COVID pandemic as we grappled with the impact on the organisation and our team. I would strongly recommend her as a strategic HR advisor as she would be an asset to any Executive team, providing effective support and expert advice.
Lynn's approach is refreshing and ensures you get where you want to be much quicker than we would otherwise.
Tony Passmore, CEO, Passmore Group
Lynn has worked as our HR consultant for the last year and has helped us bring structure to our HR systems & processes – she has reviewed all our procedures as well creating new ones and for sure the Company and it’s people have benefited. Her matter of fact approach is refreshing and ensures you get where you want to be much quicker than we would otherwise. She is a hands on ‘do-er’ who gets things done and I recommend her to anyone who needs some real expertise in their HR.
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 next 6 months and beyond
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 has ensured that we have progressed quickly on all the strategic 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 now been Albany's HR Director for a year, and 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 the staff for her input.
Alison joined Valleys to Coast in March 2019 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 from expert HR support to
Over the last 3 years, People Puzzles has helped build a very strong people culture at the RVT Group
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.