HR Consultancy and Interim Support

Experienced, sector-informed HR support for complex people challenges, organisational change and periods when additional expertise or capacity is needed.

The Right Support, When You Need It.

Colleges rarely need HR support because of one simple issue. More often, it’s a combination of complexity, capacity and timing.

You may be dealing with a sensitive employee relations case, a period of organisational change, a difficult investigation, a vacancy in the People team or a major project that simply needs more resource than the team currently has available.

That’s where we can help.

The FE HR Hub provides experienced, sector-informed HR consultancy and interim support that can flex around the needs of your college — from a short piece of specialist advice to hands-on project support or additional capacity over a longer period.

Because we understand Further Education, we can get up to speed quickly, work alongside your existing team and provide practical support that fits the reality of the sector.

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grow

talk to us about the support you need

Specialist HR Expertise, When You Need It

Every college challenge is different. The FE HR Hub works with you to understand the issue, scope the support required and agree the right approach from the outset. We remain your main point of contact throughout and where additional specialist expertise or capacity is needed, we bring in trusted HR associates with relevant FE experience.

All support is contracted and quality assured through the FE HR Hub, give you clear accountability, consistent standards and the flexibility to access the right expertise at the right time.

In practice, that means we can support colleges across a broad range of HR priorities, including:

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Complex ER & Investigations

Independent investigations, complex casework and support with sensitive employee relations matters.

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Organisation Change & Restructure

Practical support with consultation, restructure, redundancy and wider organisational change.

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Workforce Planning & People Strategy

Support with workforce planning, succession and translating people priorities into practical action.

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Interim HR Support

Additional capacity during vacancies, major projects, periods of change or sustained team pressure.

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Policy, Systems & HR Projects

Policy review, HR systems, process improvement, and other specialist projects.

Talk to us about the support you need

Experience that Colleges Trust

The FE HR Hub is led by Nicola Perkins, drawing on more than 25 years of FE HR experience alongside a trusted network of specialist associates.

“Nicola is a Human Resources expert with a common sense and pragmatic approach to problem solving. We have worked with her on several occasions when it has been helpful to get an unbiased external perspective. She is friendly and approachable when working with staff but has an ability to cut to the chase enabling her to get to the heart of the matter without delay.”

Julie Havens, HR & Payroll Manager, Pembrokeshire College

“Nicola fully understands Further Education and the associated financial constraints, and in this respect her knowledge and experience of the sector was invaluable in ensuring value for money in the works she undertook for us. We would trust Nicola implicitly to work with us on the most challenging of HR projects”.

Caroline James, Director of Resources, Pembrokeshire College.

“We have been delighted with the high quality service Nicola has provided for us. She brings with her expertise and knowledge that has been invaluable during a time of significant change for our organisation”.

Kathryn Robson, Chief Executive Adult Learning Wales

“Nicola played a central role in negotiations with FE trade unions in Wales over agreeing a national contract covering all staff. These negotiations were long and complex. Throughout, Nicola displayed a calm and fair but also a tough approach which brought respect from both sides. Her considerable knowledge of employment legislation and her skill at dealing with people played a huge part in bringing about an agreement over a new contract – an outcome which some people thought was impossible to achieve!”

Dr John Graystone, former Chief Executive of ColegauCymru|Colleges Wales.

“Nicola is one of the most competent HR practitioners I have worked with during my career in academia. She is knowledgeable, thorough, and most importantly, reliable when meeting important deadlines”.

Jeff Gunningham, Former Chief Executive, Swansea College.

“Nicola was an absolute pleasure to work with. She was inspiring and provided great leadership in our HR community. Hardworking, professional and always willing to go the extra mile. Nicola would be an asset to any organisation, and I have no hesitation in recommending her”.

Julie Davies, Former Director of HR Coleg Cambria.

“Nicola’s approach has been First Class. She was quick to grasp our needs and agreed a planned approach through an engaging and consultative way which instilled confidence straight away. We highly recommend Nicola Perkins and the broad range of HR services she can provide”.

Kathryn Robson, Chief Executive Adult Learning Wales.

“Nicola has assisted us with some particularly complex staffing matters in recent years and her extensive experience in this field is evident. The work she has delivered for us is thorough and of the highest possible quality, and she has consistently provided us with sound advice and support. I would recommend Nicola to any organisation requiring HR consultancy without hesitation”.

Cath Hicks, Head of Learner Services and Resources, Adult Learning Wales.

“I worked closely with Nicola during my tenure as Chair of Colleges Wales. She played a key role in helping the Wales FE sector to reopen safely in the midst of a pandemic, leading the sector through the guidance and regulations, drafting a set of protocols and facilitating agreement with all the Welsh Principals and the Trade Unions, supported by Colleges Wales and the Welsh Government. No easy feat, but Nicola’s attention to detail, well honed drafting skills, tact and diplomacy were in exactly the right place at the right time. She is a highly respected and valuable member of the FE community”.

Dafydd Evans, Chief Executive Officer at Grwp Llandrillo-Menai.

Looking For Recruitment Support?

From advertising People roles through FE HR Jobs to executive search, interim opportunities and wider talent support, explore our dedicated Talent & Careers offer.

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Need specialist HR expertise or extra capacity?

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