People Puzzles

🌟 Closing the Skills Gap: How Scotland is Winning the Talent War 🏴 With Scotland’s unemployment at historic lows, competition for skilled workers is fierce, especially in sectors like engineering, renewable energy, and construction. But businesses don’t have to struggle. Kathryn Hume, Regional Director for Scotland, shares six actionable strategies to attract, retain, and develop top talent in today’s challenging market: ✅ Why strategy and leadership alignment are critical to attracting the right people to your business. ✅ How placing the right people in the right seats creates a future-ready workforce. ✅ Succession planning secrets to ensure a pipeline of leaders and specialists. ✅ Smart approaches to employee development, compensation, and benefits to stand out from the competition. ✅ How to embed a multicultural, multigenerational culture into your company’s DNA. Stay ahead in the war for talent. https://lnkd.in/e3c8SGFN #scotland #talent #strategicHR

🌱 When a business is ready to grow, having a solid people strategy is essential. The Fine Bedding Company | B Corp™, a fourth-generation family business in Liverpool, knew they needed to make changes to align their leadership, enhance communication, and support their B Corp ambitions. That’s where People Puzzles stepped in. With the support of People Director Sarah Humphreys, the leadership worked closely with their team to put the right people and processes in place. 🌱From aligning the Board and SLT to developing in-house HR expertise and achieving impressive sustainability milestones, the transformation has been inspiring. #BCorps #employeeengagment #sustainability #leadershipdevelopment

Fabulous feedback for the always brilliant Jacqui Mallin in our Scotland team - what an impact 🌟

🌟 Welcome Denny Wood to our Midlands Team! 🌟 We’re delighted to introduce Denny, a senior HR leader with over 30 years of expertise. With a career that spans Europe and the Americas, Denny has held board-level HR roles since 2009 and worked with leading companies like SHV, Mammoet and ERIKS UK & Ireland. Denny is known for her pragmatic approach for aligning strategic people planning with business goals. She’s equally skilled at getting the most out of teams by making them more efficient and productive to save costs, and keep customers happy — all while delivering measurable results. A true advocate for diversity and inclusion, Denny’s role as a Global Inclusion Lead exemplifies her ability to develop diverse teams. Whether she’s implementing organisational design programs or mentoring senior leaders, Denny’s hands-on approach ensures HR is always seen as a trusted advisor. 💡 Fun fact: Outside of work, Denny enjoys the great outdoors with her beloved dog, has discovered a new passion for the gym, and loves to laugh! https://lnkd.in/ezPxnJi2 #team #HRLeadership #FractionalHR #midlands Nicola Cavanagh

💭 Can you afford to give your people pay rises in 2025? As we approach a new year with rising costs and tighter budgets, business leaders face a big challenge: balancing fair pay with financial sustainability. Our latest blog breaks down the key steps to get it right, which in a nutshell advises to: 📊 Start with salary benchmarking to understand market trends and set fair expectations. 💼 Plan strategically – from entry-level compliance with new minimum wages to tailored increases for your team. 💡 Think beyond pay by offering benefits, flexibility, and creative rewards that add real value. 💬 Communicate openly to build trust and keep your people engaged. 2025 doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right approach, you can support your people and your business goals. https://lnkd.in/eTAV5iKT #payrise #reward #strategicHR

🌟 Welcome Sasha Ashton to the East Team at People Puzzles! 🌟 We’re excited to introduce Sasha , a highly accomplished HR leader with nearly 30 years of experience driving transformation and growth across diverse industries in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Sasha’s has worked closely with Boards and executive teams to deliver strategic HR leadership and operational excellence for public, private, and employee-owned organisations. From retail and social care to education and government services, she’s successfully navigated complex change initiatives like ✅ mergers ✅acquisitions ✅restructures ✅TUPE transfers ✅cultural transformations Her expertise includes employment law, HR best practices, and achieving accreditations like B-Corp and Investors in People. Most recently, Sasha served as Group HRD for Seetec, where she supported significant growth while leading impactful people strategies Sasha is passionate about partnering with business leaders to develop people strategies that drive performance, improve employee engagement, and deliver tangible results. 💡 Fun fact: When she’s not advising on HR strategy, Sasha loves exploring antique shops, enjoying time in the garden, or walking her adorable French Bulldogs, Daisy and Dylan. https://lnkd.in/eS7AauZt #team #HRLeadership #FractionalHR #east Katrina (Suppiah) Walker

🌟 Don't let Employment Tribunals derail your business -take back control ⚖️Employment tribunals can be overwhelming, draining your time, energy, and resources. Our latest article by People Director Catherine Wood explores how a People Director can help you navigate the process with confidence and clarity. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ Real-life stories of tribunal outcomes—what went right and what could have gone better. ✅ The essential steps to prepare for a tribunal, from creating documentation to coaching witnesses. ✅ Tips for rebuilding trust and team morale after a tribunal, even if the employee returns. ✅ How expert support can reduce stress, manage expectations, and protect your business. Don’t face the process alone. #employmenttribunals #strategicHR #compliance #fractionalHR https://lnkd.in/exvPuewg

"Every business is a people business, no matter its product or service, so you want the very best people-people at the summit." There are so many great points in this article from Richard Harpin in the Sunday Times this week, it would be easier to just post the whole article. (We won't - but you should read it) "HR directors, Chief People Officers, whatever their title, should be embedded across an organisation... they help to develop a company as much as anyone and have valuable insights lacked or underappreciated by other executives.... [and they have] higher-level leadership abilities and strategy implementation skills that improve productivity across the business, just as effectively as anyone working in a financial role." So imagine combining the people and culture prowess of a brilliant HR Director with the commercial insight of a business strategist... How powerful would that be? #strategicHR #fractionalHR #businessgrowth #leadership #companyculture

*“The guidance from People Puzzles has been invaluable in embedding people into our long-term picture and helping us navigate the complexities of rapid growth.”* – Tristan Miller, Managing Director. 🌱Greenmill Air Conditioning and Ventilation, the Colchester-based air conditioning distribution business founded by brothers Nico & Bruce Miller, has always been known for its "In Stock, On Site, On Time" promise. 🌱Between 2020 and 2023, they doubled their revenue, competing successfully against larger industry players. 😀 But rapid growth brings its own challenges, and Greenmill wanted to maintain momentum without losing their people-first culture. In 2020, People Puzzles stepped in to provide fractional board-level HR support, initially led by Helen Witt and later by Adrian Bates and Richard Cummings. They focused on building a robust leadership structure, refining people processes, and tackling the challenges of growth. 🚀 Greenmill continues to thrive, balancing systemisation and a strong culture with sustainable growth. #smegrowth #culture #employeeengagement #peopleplanning

Welcome to the team Nina Heath, we are delighted to have you with us!