7 of the greatest HR consulting firms in the United Kingdom

It’s one thing to decide that you need to outsource your HR, but which consulting firm should you choose?

It can be difficult to choose amongst many companies that offer substantially comparable products.

The essential benefits of each provider are listed below, but first, let’s go over what you should be searching for in a supplier.

How do I pick the right HR consulting firm?

Begin with their background (and which sectors their clients are in). If they’ve had multiple previous clients in your business, you’ll know you’re onto a winner, with bonus points if they’re larger and more well-known. Similarly, verification of qualifications guarantees you their competency and the services they can provide. Consider how their services fit your company’s growth objectives and projections for the coming year.

Next, look for any hidden costs. Is there a fee or financial penalty for breaking a contract early? The company may appear to be less expensive at first glance, but they can hit you hard with hidden fees like the worst budget airlines.

While you’re there, make sure the payment and contract terms are clear. Payment should be flexible (paying as a one-off or on a retainer). It’s even better if they can provide you with a free trial, such as collaborating on a smaller project.

HR must provide a return on investment, even if they aren’t recognized for making money. It won’t always be monetary – consider higher productivity, lower turnover, and fewer absences. Inquire about your HR provider’s goals and how long they need to achieve them.

It’s even more crucial that they know your company’s culture. If they don’t, they may make poor decisions on your behalf. They hire the incorrect people, resulting in a slew of long-term issues. Again, a free trial option is advantageous.

Finally, get two or three expert references from your chosen supplier. Once you’ve decided to collaborate, be clear about what’s included in your agreement and how it might be adjusted later to meet your company’s needs.

Here’s a sample of what some of the UK’s top HR providers offer.

HR Citrus

Citrus HR specializes in employment contracts, employee handbooks, and legal guidance for outsourcing.

The HR assistance is combined with a digital platform that includes a contract generator. It includes vacation and absence management, health and safety alerts, appraisal management, secure employee information storage, onboarding, and drafting and sending offer letters. All clients have access to digital staff handbooks to help them learn how to use the software.

There is no minimum contract, no hidden fees, and no setup expenses, so businesses that don’t want to be tied down need not worry.

Charities have an edge because all charity organizations are eligible for a 10% discount.

Cost: The pricing is based on a monthly flat charge of £7.50 plus an additional £50 per employee each month (plus VAT).

If you require an on-site consultant or services that require additional fees, you will be charged £85 per hour (plus VAT) if you are located outside of London and £95 per hour (plus VAT) if you are located within London.

A software-only version is available for £2.50 per employee per month with a 14-day free trial if you prefer to keep your employees in-house.

Peninsula

Peninsula has vast document authoring experience. Consider contracts, employee handbooks, and other paperwork such as return-to-work papers, departure interview forms, and parental leave records.

This one, like citrus, comes with an HR software bundle. Employee management software, e-learning webinar training, tribunal representation, annual reviews, and risk assessment training are available.

You’ll be allocated a lead consultant available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for HR support. The consultant’s expertise can assist you in identifying sick leave triggers and other “hidden expenses” to your company’s productivity.

The two packages available are Peninsula HR and Peninsula health & safety. However, you can combine them for a more comprehensive package called Peninsula HR and health & safety.

Peninsula takes more commitment because the products are offered for one to five years. They’re charged every month per employee.

Legal expenses insurance is included in some packages to protect your company against allegations of unjust dismissal and indirect discrimination. You can also get entire employment tribunal coverage with this optional insurance.

Pricing: To figure out how much you’d pay for mid-rate terms over five years, use Peninsula’s calculator. Rates will vary depending on your industry and financial situation.

Workplace Human Resources

Workplace HR is a dedicated Outsourced HR service that promises a quick response to any HR issues or problems. They can offer

• Pre-employment screening for new hires and exit interviews for departing employees
• Manage employee information for third parties such as pension providers.
• Dedicated staff with a diverse set of talents
• Management of absences (including a return to work interviews)
• Staff education (such as GDPR)

Workplace HR is most commonly used on a pay-as-you-go basis, ideal for short-term contracts and budgets. If you like, you can pay every month.

Pricing: Pricing is not listed on the website. However, they claim it is competitive and flexible. Call for a price based on your requirements.

HR Services

For more than 20 years, HR Solutions has provided skilled outsourced HR consulting. It has grown to more than 40 employees across HR, health and safety, and payroll in the last few years. It offers tiers of HR retainer services based on the needs of its clients and the number of employees they have. Its Enhanced Retainer program assigns a professional adviser to SMEs who will learn about their operations.

HR Solutions’ clients are successfully onboarded with its 30-, 60-, and 90-day plans to guarantee that their policies and procedures are up to date and assist them in planning their people strategy with ease and efficiency.

It collaborates with Breathe to provide a premier HR management software that allows companies to simply manage employee vacations, policies, and absences.

HR Solutions also provides fixed-fee recruitment, management training, online webinars, employment legislation updates, and health and safety and payroll. It also provides an HR Knowledge Base service, a searchable online resource with free HR templates, webinars, training materials, and access to HR, GDPR, and compliance assessments.

HR Solutions received the Feefo Gold Service Award in 2022.

“There is never a query or situation that we can’t answer,” claims HR Solutions’ staff of consultants, advisors, and administrators, backed up by a team of HR knowledge managers.

In its 20 years of HR service, the firm claims to have never lost an employment tribunal case.

Pricing: Depending on the organization’s size, the retained HR services package starts at £138 per month. You can get a more accurate price by contacting HR Solutions directly.

The HR Knowledge Base bundle is also available for a one-month free trial. It includes template documents relevant to employment legislation, access to HR and GDPR risk and compliance audits, webinar content, and training materials.

Adventure

Avensure may help with contract implementation, consultation, training, and direction.

A one-on-one team leader advisor will be assigned to you to assist you in running your business. You can rest confident that legal assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You’re also protected by tribunal insurance, covered by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

HR and employment law and health and safety are specialties of the firm, which can be combined for the Total Business Protect package.

HR Security

HR Protect costs are decided by the size of your organization, payroll, and requirements. For a set monthly cost, it contains everything described above. Avensure may also provide a fully updated corporate handbook and employee contracts tailored to each function and in your firm’s style.

HS Safeguard

HS Protect is similar to HR Protect. However, it also includes health and safety documents. Avensure may also conduct a thorough site survey and provide an action plan for you with the phone or email follow-up. By email, they’ll keep you up to date on industry guidance, news, advancements, and e-learning training films (you’ll get an introductory pack, but you may buy extra videos as needed).

Pricing: Get a price from Avensure based on your company’s needs and the packages you’re interested in.

Moorepay

Moorepay caters to businesses in the media and entertainment sectors. Their HR team comprises media experts that serve a 10,000-strong consumer base.

HR services and software, as well as payroll and payment services, are all available. Moorepay will supply you with monthly and quarterly legislation guides, focused blogs, and a knowledge base in your HR Hub to keep you informed about HR. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) also regulates its legal team.

Your information is stored on a secure server in IBM data centers for individuals worried about data and security.

Important services include:

• Constant assistance
• HR assistance
• Initial inspection
• Regularly updated legislation
• Annual evaluation (documentation, policies, and procedures)
• Documentation and letters
• Contracts and instruction manuals (contracts of employment, employee handbooks, HR forms, checklists, and template letters)
• Insurance against legal liability (up to £100,000 for every employment tribunal)
• Representation in court

Other services available include:

• Visits to consultancies
• Documentation
• Background investigation
• HR administrative mediation
• Insurance for training indemnity
• Cash flow protection
• Legal representation and preparation

Many of these features are included in other packages, so keep that in mind when making your pick.

Moorepay can provide you with a quote.

Plus Adviser

Employee relations (ER) professionals are Adviser Plus. They provide long-term ER case management solutions and consulting support during peak periods – imagine large reorganization changes such as HR transformation, downsizing, and acquisition. Their solutions include “empower” ER case management technology, which allows managers to self-serve and confidently handles people matters, an ER advice line for extra help when needed, and people data analytics, which gives you visibility into all aspects of people management across your organization.

They also offer manager training in negotiation, conflict resolution, mental health training, and performance management to assist give your managers the skills and confidence they need to handle people issues more successfully.

Pricing: Get an estimate from Adviser Plus based on the services you need.