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Outsourced HR | flexible, expert HR support
Expert HR support without the full-time commitment
You shouldn’t accept a one-size-fits-all strategy just because your business may lack the time or resources to handle HR internally. People Puzzles’ Outsourced HR can help with that.
We offer adaptable, superior HR knowledge customised for your company. Our knowledgeable HR Directors collaborate with you to overcome obstacles and support the success of your company, whether you require assistance with recruitment, retention, compliance, leadership development, or developing an outstanding company culture.
What is Outsourced HR?
Without having to engage full-time HR staff or absorb the cost of a full time hire, outsourcing HR on an ongoing, fractional basis allows you to access experienced HR leadership on your own terms. You get a committed HR specialist who joins your team and helps you at every step of your company journey, rather than having to handle HR duties yourself or depending on reactive support. You can also tap into the wider resources of a whole team of people experts to access tactical expertise to help with specific projects, rather than committing to a full time resource you may not need.
We go into more depth on Outsourced HR in our knowledge hub
How is People Puzzles’ Outsourced HR Different?
| In-House HR | Outsourced HR |
| Full-time HR team with fixed costs | Flexible, pay-as-you-need support with no fixed term contract tie-ins |
| Focus on HR admin and compliance | Strategic HR that drives business growth and transforms your performance |
| Recruitment, payroll, policies | People strategy, leadership development, culture building, organisational structure, succession planning |
| Limited expertise within a small team | Access to 80+ HR Directors with broad industry experience |
How outsourced HR works at People Puzzles
We make HR outsourcing simple, practical, and tailored to your needs. Here’s how it works:
- Understanding your business
We take the time to learn about your company’s goals, challenges, and people, so we can offer tailored HR solutions that genuinely help and help you deliver your goals faster.
- Matching you with an HR Director
You’ll work with a People Puzzles HR expert who has the right experience and skills to support your business. After an initial chemistry meeting, your HR Director works alongside you, embedded in the business as part of your team.
- Hands-on HR support & strategy
Your dedicated HR Director will work alongside you to solve people challenges – from hiring the right people to building leadership capability and shaping a great culture.
- Flexible, ongoing support
Need more HR support as your business grows? We scale with you, adapting our services as your needs evolve. You also get access to the wider team resources and partnership benefits that come as part of the People Puzzles offering.
What are the benefits of Outsourcing HR?
HR strategy & business growth
Developing a people plan that supports your company’s ambitions and sets you up for success. People costs are often the biggest cost for a growing business so it’s worth investing in getting the people stuff right.
Hiring & retaining the right people
Assisting you in finding and retaining talented people so that your company can expand without having to deal with ongoing hiring issues.
Leadership & management development
Encouraging and assisting your managers to confidently lead and inspire their staff.
Culture & employee engagement
Creating a positive, motivated workplace where people feel valued, engaged, and invested in your business.
HR compliance & best practices
Keeping your company abreast of HR best practices, employment laws, and rules (without becoming bogged down in paperwork!).
Why choose People Puzzles for Outsourced HR?
HR experts who understand growing businesses
Our 80+ experienced HR Directors have worked across a huge range of industries, helping over 1,000 businesses build better people strategies through proven tools and approaches.
Flexible, cost-effective HR support
You get senior-level HR leadership as and when you need it – no unnecessary overheads, just the right support at the right time.
Practical, hands-on support
We don’t just advise – we work with you to implement real solutions that drive business success.
Results that matter
Our clients see improvements in hiring, retention, leadership capability, and business performance – all thanks to better HR strategies.
Outsourced HR Success Stories
How to double turnover with a people strategy
Challenge: Barker Associates faced rapid growth, reaching 50 employees and £5m turnover. They needed a strong people strategy to sustain expansion and align with goals.
Solution: A People Director was appointed to enhance career development, engagement, and benefits. HR processes, recruitment, and employer branding were improved for future growth.
Results: The company doubled turnover to £12m and expanded to 140 employees.
A structured people strategy secured long-term success and talent retention.
Scaling up Stockdale Martin
Challenge: StockdaleMartin, a pharmaceutical marketing firm, struggled to scale beyond 14 employees due to structural limitations. The senior leadership team required development to unlock the company’s full potential
Solution: People Director Catherine Wood introduced consistent leadership processes and restructured the organisation. She supported hiring a new senior leader and enhanced company culture to empower employees.
Results: The company experienced improved performance and a more motivated team. Enhanced culture and values made StockdaleMartin a better place to work
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are the benefits of Outsourced HR?
You can improve hiring, engagement, compliance, and leadership by using outsourced HR, which provides you with access to senior HR experience without the full-time expense. It’s not to say you don’t have these skills, most companies do. Our People Directors are here to take you and your business to the next level.
Is Outsourced HR right for small businesses?
Yes! Outsourced HR is especially advantageous for small and expanding firms since it offers professional assistance without the expense of an internal team.
What factors influence the cost of outsourcing HR?
Traditional HR companies will charge depending on the size of the team, the functions the existing HR team deals with as well as factoring in which industry your company sits in. Fractional HR outsourcing is a little different, you pay for our HR People Directors by the day.
Can Fractional HR help in urgent situations?
Of course. Our HR professionals step right in and begin resolving issues, whether you have an urgent HR crisis or need to address persistent ones. More importantly, we help you tackle the underlying processes and systems which led to the urgency in the first place, so it’s less likely to come up again.
Ready to future-proof your company?
Outsourced HR allows you to develop your people and create a competitive advantage. Let us discuss how we could help your company to flourish.
Call us on: 0345 646 5201 or email [email protected]
Glossary
Outsourced HR: A flexible approach to HR where businesses receive expert HR support without hiring a full-time team.
HR Strategy: A long-term plan aligning HR practices with business goals.
Leadership Development: Training and coaching for managers to improve their effectiveness.
Employee Engagement: How committed and motivated people feel in their work and workplace.
Retention Strategy: Approaches to keeping great people in your business long-term.
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?
Talk to us today
At People Puzzles, we make Outsourced HR simple, flexible, and effective. Our expert HR Directors work alongside you to ensure your people strategy supports your business growth.
See what our clients say!
Your 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. Your support was instrumental in us delivering a successful consultation. We are extremely grateful for your measured and sound advice, helping us to navigate such a sensitive situation, and we look forward to working with you 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.