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HR and payroll consultancy services

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What’s ours is yours.

Technological advances. Shifting attitudes to work. External pressures. In today's world, nothing stands still for long. That’s why we offer a range of consultancy services to help you clear hurdles and plot a path to success.  

We support businesses in all industries at every stage of their journeys. Maybe it's HR and learning that need a rethink. Maybe it's payroll and finance. Whatever it is, let's get you where you want to be. 

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Your catalyst for change

Change management 

Managing change can mean a lot of things. Overhauling technology and processes. Getting buy-in. Enabling teams to support the rollout. Tracking results and adapting. Transformation should be an opportunity, not a stressor. Our business change consultants can be there through every stage to help you thrive. 

Decentralise processes 

If you've enhanced any processes before working with us, our business change consultants help you to decentralise your processes and put them back in your hands. Go beyond your legacy systems with empowered employees, enabled by transformation. 

Digital transformation

With over 40 years in the game, we're experts in ensuring your digital transformation strategy works for you. Find out more about how our consultancy services, advice and expertise can be turned to crafting a strategy that will help you go beyond your legacy systems.

Find out more about digital transformation

Isn't it time your team had your eureka moment?

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Building your breakthrough

Assessing your needs

Are you really ready for change? Don't worry. We'll explore it to help you understand and prioritise what's needed. 

Outlining your goals

Next, we'll agree your goals and match them with recommendations for hitting them.  

Setting your strategy

Now it's time to create a clear vision and roadmap for positive change.  

Pressing go

We have lift-off. Change can be bumpy, but our experts will help you make a smooth start. 

Delivering success

Transformation shouldn't be short-lived. We'll deliver the solutions you need to make it last. 

“Our consultants made everything really easy to understand. We also worked closely with an MHR project manager to ensure the project was delivered on time. We felt very supported, and everything went to plan.”

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“We are very impressed with the quality of MHR’s Consultants, not only professionally but also personally. MHR’s Consultants are a real compliment to having an internal Project Management team. They are meticulous and know the questions to ask to get the information needed to map out our project successfully.”

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“MHR’s strategic knowledge and technical expertise has been invaluable, and their support has helped fast-track the development and transition of our HR and Payroll services to a digital delivery system that benefits all stakeholders.”

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Explore our wider expertise

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HR

It could be employee engagement, talent management, or skills management consulting that you'd benefit from. Maybe it's help with hiring and retention. Explore the breadth of our HR expertise.
a man sat on a tablet accessing real-time payroll through people first.

Payroll

Reduce your risk of errors and automate the tedious parts of payday with our smooth, accessible real-time payroll systems. Help your payroll team focus on the big picture, while the day-to-day gets handled by robust system automation. Our consultants will help you roll out the future of payroll as quickly as possible.
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Data analytics

Ready to dial in on data? Data is the lifeblood of a modern business. With our support, you can turn raw data into powerful insights, which will help you make smarter decisions faster. Get a sense of current and future trends and keep profitability high.

Whatever your goals, our business efficiency consulting services are ready to help

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Articles and insights from our Knowledge Hub

Payroll challenges and best practices for small businesses

Ask anyone running a small business what keeps them up at night, and payroll is probably high on the list. Whether you’ve got five employees or fifty, paying people correctly and on time isn’t something you can afford to get wrong, and one slip-up can lead to disgruntled staff, fines, or damage to your reputation.

HR challenges and best practices for small businesses in 2025

If you’re running (or helping to run) a small business, HR probably isn’t top of your to-do list. There’s always something more urgent, like a customer request or a stock issue, meaning HR tasks get squeezed in between meetings or tackled when everyone else has gone home.

The role of HR and payroll software in manufacturing

HR and payroll software can help manufacturers overcome the unique challenges they face, from labour shortages and high turnover to meeting complex workforce management requirements. Here's how.

A beginner’s guide to HR and payroll software for small businesses

Running a small business often means wearing a lot of hats. You’re the boss, the bookkeeper, the HR department, and the person everyone calls when the printer breaks.

Resisting the inevitable - how paperwork is holding the construction industry back

Within the construction industry, there has been a long-held resistance to digital transformation. This could be related to the ageing workforce in this sector, as 32% of construction workers are over 50, but the resistance could also be due to a “If it isn’t broken, why fix it?” mentality.

What is quiet quitting, and how do you prevent it?

The phrase “quiet quitting” probably sounds more dramatic than it is. Nobody’s sneaking out of the office Mission Impossible-style, never to be seen again. They’re still showing up, still doing the job (technically). But that’s about it.

The role of HR in construction

HR is a vital function needed within the construction industry and can contribute to the overall efficiency within the organisation.

How The Plan Group are building a happy workplace

In this interview by the Telegraph, The Plan Group's Head of HR Susie Wilson shares how People First is driving employee engagement and workplace happiness.

Ensuring compliance in construction: top tips and strategies for success

Industries that operate on multiple sites or have mobile workers such as construction have additional challenges when it comes to maintaining compliance.

How retailers can cut costs without cutting corners

Our latest guide for retailers is designed to help you cut costs without cutting corners.

Closing the skills gap in telecommunications

Explore our latest guide to tackling the telecoms skills gap. Learn how to attract, retain, and develop top talent with practical HR strategies. Download now to start futureproofing your workforce.

MHR capabilities guide

Download your free, comprehensive guide to MHR’s software and services to learn how we can simplify your HR, payroll and finance management.

People First Brochure

Download the brochure to discover how People First can help you simplify your working day and create connectivity across your entire workforce, providing a real-time picture of your people and…

Download your People First learning brochure

Create, manage and store all your training materials in one accessible and AI-enhanced space. Discover how you can build a culture of continuous learning with People First Learning.

Skills to build a better workplace

With more and more businesses identifying skill gaps, stay competitive in a busy talent market using our complete guide.

10 ways to close your skills gap with MHR

Unleash proven strategies across recruitment, development and retention with our skills gap factsheet.

High-performing women in business

We’re unpacking six key areas of our high-performance research that highlight the unique perspectives of women in senior leadership roles.

The secrets of high performance

Get the latest insights on how to deliver a high-performing team with our in-depth research report.

British Gymnastics

Discover how MHR has supported the national governing body for competitive gymnastics in finding an accessible system to support all their club members.

Danske Bank

Discover how MHR's managed service helped support Danske Bank, one of the leading banks in Northern Ireland.

Waterline

See how MHR helped Waterline drive efficiencies through real-time payroll and digital transformation of HR processes.

University of South Wales

See how MHR helped long-standing customer University of South Wales to consolidate all their systems into one platform, saving HR managers' time and giving employees access to their own data.

Karndean Designflooring

Discover how Karndean Designflooring has upgraded their use of People First to offer a fantastic learning experience for every employee.

PPC Creative

Here's how MHR worked with PPC Creative to roll out People First HR and Payroll within a tight four month deadline.

Leeds Trinity University

Leeds Trinity University has been an MHR customer for over 10 years. See how we’ve helped them streamline their processes and accelerate their digital transformation journey.

Hibernian Football Club

The club had tried other HR systems before, but they often felt disconnected. MHR took a more conversational approach and demonstrated the flexibility of People First.

Meridian Business Support

With 30 years of experience in the recruitment industry, Meridian Business Support is committed to matching the best talent with the best employers. Here's how they migrated from iTrent to…

Business consulting FAQs

What can your business solutions consultants do for us?

A lot, actually – but always tailored to you. That could mean a light touch in one or two areas or a complete overhaul. Here's what to expect from us: 

  • Broad expertise: We support businesses of all sizes, complexities and industries. You'll benefit from best practices in your niche, plus transferable learnings. 
  • An objective view: It's tough to see the bigger picture when you're in the daily details. Our unbiased view can broaden your horizons and help you make breakthroughs. 
  • Your strategic partner: From development to implementation, lean on us to refine and realise your goals. 
  • Tools and resources: Let's free up your time and give your teams the technology they need to work faster, smarter and happier. 
  • Tailored to you: It could be employee engagement or skills management consulting services. Maybe it's help with hiring and retention. We'll shape our support to match.

Do you work with businesses of different sizes and industries?

We sure do. From enterprises to SMEs, businesses of all sizes can work more efficiently. And across banking to building, lots of industries are ready for an overhaul too. We help them do it.

We don't reach for off-the-shelf solutions, though. Our team will get to know you and what your ideal future looks like. Then we'll draw on experience from your world and beyond to help you deliver your vision.

What technology do you use?

Stuck between different systems? Better technology is key in driving transformation. Our People First platform takes care of all your HR, payroll, finance and learning needs in one place. 

Develop skills and talent. Optimise workflows. Connect your teams and data. It's an AI-powered tool to help you move quicker, smarter and more collaboratively. 

It's completely scalable too. With no employee limit, you could start small and grow into an enterprise. We'd be happy to show you around, so book a demo.

How much do your business consulting services cost?

We can answer that once we know more about you, your project and your needs along the way. After we've got a clearer picture, we'll give you a quote that's as bespoke as the expertise it pays for. Contact us to get started.

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