When your people are the product.

In professional services, the business walks out of the door every evening. Your fee-earners, consultants and advisers are the asset, so attracting them, keeping them, getting the most from them and protecting the firm when they leave all matter enormously. The HR stakes are high even in a small firm.

We work with consultancies, agencies, accountancy and law firms and other advisory businesses to put the right contracts, incentives and protections in place, manage performance fairly, and handle the sensitive moments well. Clear advice, fixed fees, and a steady hand when something delicate lands.

As firms grow, partnership and LLP structures, parental leave and returners among senior people, and eventual succession all raise people questions that sit between HR and the future of the firm. We help you think those through early, so growth and key-person changes do not catch you out.

The HR challenges in professional services.

The issues we see most often with the professional-services firms we support.

Protecting the firm when people leave

Restrictive covenants, confidentiality and client and staff non-solicitation clauses only work if they are drafted properly and proportionately. We make sure yours actually protect the firm and stand up if tested.

Retaining high-value people

In a competitive market, retention is everything. We help with clear progression, sensible bonus and benefit structures, and a workplace that good people do not want to leave.

Performance and difficult conversations

Managing the performance of senior, knowledge-based staff is delicate. We give you fair, defensible processes and coach you through the conversations.

Hybrid and flexible working

Most firms now run hybrid. We make sure your contracts, working-time and flexible-working policies reflect how your team really operates, so flexibility does not become a dispute.

Parental leave and returners

Keeping senior talent through parental leave and back into the firm needs supportive, lawful handling. We help you get it right and retain them.

Bonus and commission clarity

Unclear bonus and commission terms are a common source of fallout. We make sure yours are written clearly so expectations match the contract.

How we work with Professional Services businesses.

Retained HR support

Day-to-day HR for your team. Disciplinaries, sickness, contracts, the lot. Email and phone access to me. Priced on your team size.

See retainer details

HR compliance audit

One-off review of your contracts, handbook, policies and processes. Written report. Priority fix list. Priced on a call.

See audit details

HR Compliance Programme

Six-month fixed-fee programme to put your HR foundations in place from scratch. Priced on your team size.

See the programme

Why Beagle HR.

We are a founder-led HR consultancy serving SMEs across Surrey and the wider UK. You deal with Dan and the Beagle HR team directly, not a call centre and not a different adviser every time. Advice comes in plain English, fees are fixed and agreed up front, and because we only take on a limited number of businesses at once, you get a partner who genuinely knows your sector and your team.

It starts with a free 15-minute review, where we listen, tell you honestly what you need and what you do not, and agree a fixed fee before any work begins. No hourly clock, no lock-in on the ongoing retainer, just a clear plan and someone who picks up the phone.

We work across many sectors, so the advice you get is grounded in how businesses like yours actually operate, not generic theory. Whatever lands on your desk, an awkward grievance, a tricky exit, a restructure, or simply a question you are not sure about, you get a straight answer, a clear next step, and the documents or process to back it up.

Common questions from professional services employers.

Professional Services HR FAQs

Yes. We review and draft confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation clauses that are proportionate and enforceable, so the firm is protected without overreaching.
Yes. We work with accountancy, legal and other regulated practices, and make sure your HR sits alongside your professional and regulatory obligations.
We price on your team size and what you actually need, not a one-size package, and we agree the fee with you on a free review before any work begins. You are not paying for support built for a business twice your size.
No. The ongoing retainer is rolling, so you can leave whenever you like. The only fixed term is the six-month HR Compliance Programme, if you choose that route to get set up.
Book a free 15-minute review and we will scope the work on the call. For straightforward retainers we can be set up within 7 days.

Sorting HR for your professional services firm?

Book a free 15-minute review. We will tell you what to do, and quote a fixed fee if you need our help. We take on a limited number of businesses at a time.

Book your free HR review