HR People First

Tailored HR solutions for businesses of all sizes — practical, compliant, and genuinely supportive.

Message from Our Founder & MD

HR People First was built on one clear belief: when you truly look after your people, your business thrives.

My background in hospitality taught me how fast-paced and people-driven business can be. I saw the difference strong leadership and the right support make — and the cost when they’re missing. I also realised that many growing businesses don’t need a full HR department — they need the right guidance, at the right time.

I also saw that many growing businesses didn’t need a full HR department — they just needed the right guidance at the right time.

So I created HR People First.

We deliver practical, tailored HR support that feels like part of your team. Straightforward advice. Compliant solutions. Honest conversations. No unnecessary complexity.

I’m also a wife and mum to Lily and Leo — my daily reminder that while work matters, people matter more.

And that’s the foundation of everything we do.

People first. Always.

Agata Mabena

Who We Are

We believe work is about more than policies and paperwork — it’s about people’s livelihoods, confidence, growth, and wellbeing.

We’ve seen the stability, trust, and culture that good HR creates. And we’ve seen the damage when people feel unsupported or unheard. That’s why we don’t just tick boxes. We help build workplaces where expectations are clear, standards are fair, and people feel respected.

For us, HR isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about creating workplaces where expectations are clear, standards are fair, and people feel respected.

We stand alongside business owners, offering practical guidance that protects both the business and its people. And we hold ourselves to the same standards we help our clients create.

Because this work matters — to businesses, to leaders, and to people.

HR - PEOPLE FIRST OUR JOURNEY

2018

HR - People First was Founded

HR People First was founded with a clear mission: to deliver people-first HR support tailored to real businesses.

2019

First Retainer Clients

Reached our first major growth milestone, supporting five businesses on a retained basis.

2021

B Corp Certified

Achieved B Corp certification, becoming the second HR consultancy in the UK to do so — reinforcing our commitment to people, purpose, and impact.

2023

HR Consultancy of the Year

Proudly awarded HR Consultancy of the Year in the London & South East England Prestige awards. An award we were lucky enough to win again in 2024!

2023

Social Enterprise Status

Became a social enterprise, formalising our commitment to responsible business and positive social impact.

2024

10 Sponsorship Licences Granted

Successfully supported clients in securing over 10 sponsorship licences, helping businesses grow and retain talent.

2025

Where We Are Today

We support many clients across multiple industries, with a team of 7 HR professionals.

Our Services

We understand the pressures of managing teams across multiple sites, handling rota gaps, compliance headaches, and keeping staff motivated in a fast-paced environment.

We support with:

  • Contracts, policies & HR compliance
  • Recruitment & onboarding (full employee cycle)
  • Training & development
  • Sponsorship & rights to work
  • Employee relations (grievances, disciplinaries, absence management)

Retainer Packages

Silver

From £99 per month

  • HR advice and support via email and phone
  • HR templates and documentation

Platinum

From £299 per month

  • Everything in the Gold Package plus…
  • HR policies
  • Employee Handbooks
  • HR Health checks
  • Training & Development
  • In-person visits

Ad hoc HR Packages

HR Health Check

A comprehensive review of your current HR practices, documentation, and compliance. We identify risks, gaps, and opportunities, and provide clear, practical recommendations.

Flexible HR Support - Contact us whenever you need

Not every business needs a full-time HR department — but every business needs strong people foundations.

Whether you need day-to-day advice, support with complex employee relations, or help strengthening your people strategy, we work alongside you as a trusted partner.

What’s Included:

  • HR advice via phone and email
  • Support with disciplinaries, grievances and investigations
  • staff Handbook and Contract drafting and policy updates
  • Performance management guidance
  • Absence and flexible working advice
  • Compliance support aligned with current legislation
  • Practical, commercially focused HR solutions

Documentation Support

  • Tailored employee contracts aligned to your business
  • HR policies and supporting forms
  • Bespoke Employee Handbooks
  • Support drafting and implementing clear HR procedures
  • Practical documentation that protects your business and reflects your culture

Some of Our Partners

London Pregnancy Clinic
Hunter & Gather
Borough Broth
Okan
Partridges London
Bubbleology
Bagel
LA Brewery
Ovis Coffees
Treelogy
Eatphoria
60 Degrees
Wholegood
t-sa

Our Accreditations

We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service — and our awards and accreditations reflect that. We’ve been named HR Consultancy of the Year in North London for two consecutive years and hold prestigious recognitions including B Corp, CIPD membership, Living Wage Foundation, Jobs Aware, and The Mayor’s Good Work Standards. These endorsements highlight our commitment to ethical practice, professional excellence, and positive impact for our clients and community.

B Corp Certified
People Planet First — Verified Social Enterprise
Living Wage Employer
CIPD
Cyber Essentials Certified
Jobsaware — Free help & advice on labour market abuses
The Mayor's Good Work Standard
London & South East England Prestige Awards 2024/25 Winner

Testimonials

"We've been working with HR-People First for years, and they've always been reliable, helpful, affordable and nothing but professional. We recommend their services to anyone."

Bubbleology

"We work closely with HRPF on different aspects of HR and beyond. They have recently helped me with the process of obtaining a Sponsor licence. They were very informative, fast, and professional. We got our licence within 6 weeks."

Okan

"Agata and the team at HR People First have been an invaluable part of our growth journey at Hunter & Gather.

They supported us through B Corp certification, policy development, employee onboarding, culture building, and some of the tougher conversations that come with scaling a business - always with clarity, calm, and a deeply human approach. Nothing was ever too much trouble.

HR People First were instrumental as we grew from a team of 10 to 25+ and provided exactly the right level of support until we hired our Head of People & Culture internally. They helped us put strong foundations in place without losing what made our culture special.

I’d wholeheartedly recommend Agata and her team to any founder serious about building a values-led, high-performing business."

Jeff Webster
Co-Founder & CEO Hunter & Gather

"We have had the good fortune to work with HR People First Employment Consultancy over the past two years. Having spent more than 40 years running our family business, which employed more than around 120 members of staff for many years, I have found their support and advice nothing short of indispensable. Their seasoned and proactive guidance has not only streamlined our operational performance but helped to maintain a harmonious working environment.

I cannot recommend them highly enough to fellow small businesses in particular for the reliable, knowledgeable and helpful service they provide. In short they have played a large part in the success and well-being of our Company in recent times."

Partridges

"HR People First operate like a nimble extension of your team, able to curate an appropriate and flexible mix of service and support for your needs. They’ve been around the block on most people-based agendas and offer compassionate but compliant advice, with some optionality on approach meaning your people solutions have a better chance of suiting the culture of your business. Working with a high degree of care and effort, the HR People First team come recommended."

Meg Ellis
MD L.A Brewery

Contact Us

Whether you're looking for ongoing HR support, help with a specific challenge, or simply want to explore how we could work together, we'd love to hear from you.

Book a discovery call

Schedule a no-obligation discovery call to discuss your business, your people, and how we can support you.

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