Senior HR expertise without a full-time hire
Most growing organisations reach a point where people issues start to take up real time: a difficult absence case, a grievance, a contract that no longer fits, a manager who needs guidance. Many are not ready to employ a full-time HR director, and do not need to.
Sapphire's outsourced HR support gives you director-level HR judgement on an ongoing basis. Founder Tracey Darby is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD with more than 20 years' experience in senior HR leadership and board-level roles. She stays involved from the first conversation, so you always know who you are dealing with.
What retained HR support looks like
Retained support means you have an experienced HR professional to call on whenever you need one. In practice, that might mean:
- advice on a disciplinary, grievance or absence case before you act
- reviewing a contract, policy or letter before it goes out
- guidance for a manager preparing for a difficult conversation
- an annual HR health check to show where your risks are
- keeping your HR practices in line with changes in employment law
The aim is practical, commercially focused advice that fits how your organisation actually works, not a rulebook.
HR audits and health checks
If you are not sure where your gaps are, an HR audit is a good place to start. We review your contracts, handbook, policies and processes, and give you a clear, prioritised list of what needs attention now and what can wait. It is a useful first step whether or not you go on to retained support.
Keeping up with employment law
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is changing UK employment law in stages. Statutory sick pay has been payable from the first day of absence since April 2026, and from 1 January 2027 the qualifying period for unfair dismissal falls from two years to six months. Retained support helps you understand what each change means for your organisation and update your contracts, policies and practices in good time.
Based in Derbyshire, working across the UK
Sapphire is based in Derbyshire and works with organisations across the East Midlands and the rest of the UK. Most support is delivered remotely, with onsite support when a situation calls for it.
We are an HR consultancy, not a law firm. Where a matter needs legal advice or representation, we will tell you and can work alongside your employment solicitor.
If you would like to understand where your organisation stands, our free guide to the five most common HR mistakes small businesses make is a good place to start.