The People Journey
Practical HR support for small businesses and startups
Services
Employment Contracts
Clear, legally sound contracts written around your business that are easy to update as your business grows.
Managing Performance
Support with complex situations, what to say, how to say it, and how to handle it fairly for everyone.
Employee Handbooks
A handbook your team will actually read. Practical, straightforward, and relevant to how you work.
Grievance & Conflict
When something goes wrong, support to deal with it calmly, correctly, and without it spiralling.
Structure & Foundations
Getting the right structures in place from the start, so you and your business can grow with confidence.
Ongoing People Support
Trusted and reliable advice when you need it from someone who understands the reality of running a small business.
About Me
“I'm Nicky. I have over 20 years of HR and operations experience, and for the last few years I've worked exclusively with small businesses and startups, the ones who need serious HR support but don't have the headcount or the budget for an in-house team.”
I work with founders, senior teams, and the wider team at all stages. Some are just starting out and want to get it right from the beginning. Some have been going a few years and have realised their people foundations could do with some attention. And some find me when something has already gone wrong and they need someone steady in their corner.
Every client I work with gets something built around them, their business, their team, their situation. I don't arrive with a process and expect you to fit into it. I listen first, understand what you're actually dealing with, and then we work out the right way forward together.
My main aim is to help navigate problems that can feel enormous, the ones that keep you up at night, and make them manageable. We build a platform together so you feel confident moving forward and in control of your most important company asset: your people.
Client Testimonials
Rachel Adam-Smith - CEO
“I honestly don't know how I'd have got through those couple of years without Nicky.”
Running a business isn't always straightforward and we had more than our fair share thrown at us. Whenever something came up, I knew I could pick up the phone and she'd help me work out the best way forward. She doesn't overcomplicate things or make you feel like you've done something wrong. She just gets stuck in, gives sensible advice and helps you deal with whatever's in front of you. Having someone like that in your corner is invaluable.
Debbie Davies - CEO
“It's reassuring knowing we've always got someone we can call.”
As we've grown, we've had all sorts of people questions come up and it's made a huge difference having Nicky there when we need her. She gets to know the business, understands how we work and always gives advice that fits us, rather than something straight out of a textbook. She's responsive, easy to deal with and genuinely feels like part of the team.
Zoe Rines - Associate Director
As the business grew, we reached the point where we needed proper HR support but didn't need someone in-house. Nicky quickly understood how we worked and helped us put the right structure around our people without making everything feel overly corporate. She's approachable, practical and always explains things in a way that makes sense. Knowing she's only a phone call away has taken a huge weight off our shoulders.
Cai Williams - Project Director
People issues are rarely black and white, and that's where Nicky really stands out. She takes the time to understand what's actually going on before offering any advice. You never feel pushed into a decision. Instead, she helps you look at the options, talks things through and gives you the confidence to deal with situations properly. It's a really practical way of working and one I've always appreciated.
“Nicky quickly understood what we needed and helped us put the right structure in place from the start.”
“What I value most is that Nicky never jumps to conclusions.”