The 7 best HR consulting firms for small businesses and startups We’ve compiled a selection of top HR consulting firms working in the UK today. Read on to learn more about these standout providers, and compare quotes for your business. Written by Helena Young Updated on 15 September 2025 Our experts We are a team of writers, experimenters and researchers providing you with the best advice with zero bias or partiality. Written and reviewed by: Helena Young Deputy Editor Startups.co.uk is reader supported – we may earn a commission from our recommendations, at no extra cost to you and without impacting our editorial impartiality. Using insight from senior professionals, we’ve selected and reviewed the seven best HR consulting firms for small businesses and startups in the UK. We’ve chosen Avensure as the best, thanks to its strong core functions and impressive capabilities in employment laws and health and safety. Best HR Service Providers at a glance Avensure – Best for employment lawSafeHR – Best for affordable and varied HR packagesMoorepay – Best for payroll servicesWirehouse HR – Best for health and safetyHR Solutions – Best for HR trainingPeninsula – Best for general HR servicesWhitecollars – Best for a bespoke, expert HR consultancyDon’t overspend – you can click any of the links above to begin comparing fees on HR service providers for your own business’s size and needs. If you’re looking for external support with human resources (HR), the challenge is finding the exact help you need at good-value HR outsourcing prices, without paying for “essential” features you don’t actually need.Having supported small businesses since 2000, we understand which factors — both general and sector-specific — are the most important for business owners to consider when finding the best HR service provider. On this page, we’ll provide an expert breakdown of each HR consultant, how much it costs, and whether it’s a good fit for your business. 💡Key takeaways HR consulting firms offer support in multiple areas, including employment law, health and safety (H&S), recruitment, and payroll.Most prices for HR services aren’t publicly available, and you’ll have to request a quote for your business.HR consulting services are best for businesses with 10+ employees that have been operating for over a year.An alternative to consulting firms is to use HR software, which lets you manage tasks in-house, often at a lower cost. Click any of the links below to jump to the review of your choice: 1. Avensure 2. SafeHR 3. Moorepay 4. Wirehouse Employer Services 5. HR Solutions 6. Peninsula 7. Whitecollars Choosing an HR consultant: next steps HR consultant FAQs 1. AvensureAvensure was founded in 2011 and has since garnered an excellent rating on Trustpilot of 4.8, not to mention a 2024 Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. Avensure has a strong track record for success and happy customers, working with clients in the retail, care, and transport industries, to name a few.What does Avensure do?Avensure offers outsourced HR services in the following packages:HR Protect – HR and employment law servicesH&S Protect – Health and safety servicesTotal Protect – A combination of HR and H&S servicesType of serviceWhat it offersEmployment law & HR services24/7 HR advice, designated lead HR advisor, unlimited legal team access, Tribunal Protection Indemnity insurance, HR documentation, absence management software, Zest employee wellbeing programme, CPD Certified HR Training and eLearning CoursesHealth and safety24/7 H&S advice, site evaluations, evaluation reports and action points, hazard identification, legislation and industry guidance, H&S training and eLearning courses, H&S policy formulationTotal Business Protect24/7 HR advice, designated lead HR advisor, unlimited legal team access, site evaluations, HR documentation, absence management software, evaluation reports, and everything included in HR and H&S ProtectHow much does Avensure cost?Avensure’s Protect packages are offered on a fixed monthly fee basis. To get a price, you will need to get a quote from the company first. The exact fee will depend on the level of support you need.Why choose Avensure?Avensure makes sure that clients are completely covered – there are a range of packages to choose from, as well as the ability to contact the same team members whenever you need assistance.Avensure is best for HR and employment law, as well as health and safety HR consulting.Avensure’s specialisms make it ideal for a range of small to large businesses looking to outsource the essential elements of HR. Though its services aren’t designed for small businesses only, such businesses (those with 0-50 employees) do account for 53% of its clients. Avensure Pros HR Protect service is provided on a fixed fee package basis, making it easier to budget Employment tribunal cover and representation available Specialises in employment law and health and safety Health and safety site evaluations offered Avensure Cons May not be ideal for businesses who don't need specialist employment law or health and safety support Services aren’t aimed specifically at small businesses Looking for HR software instead? Rippling's automated system could be right for your business Try Rippling See how it works 2. SafeHRFormerly known as citrusHR, SafeHR specialises in solutions for startups, small businesses, and charities. It provides a complete and comprehensive HR support service covering everything you need, as well as offering HR and payroll software.What does SafeHR do?Companies benefit from a personal HR consultant who can offer advice on what their business needs across various areas of HR.SafeHR covers the full range of HR requirements:Maternity and paternity packagesSickness absenceAnti-harassment and bullyingGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)Social mediaDisciplinary and grievance proceduresWorkplace redundanciesTransfer of Undertakings (TUPE) supportPlus, you can benefit from SafeHR’s own in-house HR software, which is tailored towards small businesses. It provides a central location for managing employee data, as well as absences and holidays, plus the latest coronavirus support.How much does SafeHR cost?SafeHR’s services are cost-effective and represent an affordable option for many small businesses. The costs for its HR Support and HR Software services are as follows:HR software only:£3.50 per employee, per month (£25 minimum charge per month)HR support service: £10 per employee, per month (plus £60 flat fee per month)With the HR Support Service option, there’s a 10% discount available for charities. SafeHR also offers payroll software, which is available in addition to the above services, and costs from £1 per month, per payslip. For both plans, you’ll also get no setup fees and no minimum contract length.Why choose SafeHR?SafeHR is best for catering to small businesses and charities, and for offering affordable HR packages.SafeHR is an excellent choice because it’s able to handle a range of HR issues, which can greatly relieve pressure on your business and team members. Although it may not be an ideal choice once your business has grown considerably, until that day comes, SafeHR is a perfect option. SafeHR Pros Your business is provided with a personal HR consultant Specialises in supporting small businesses and charities Offers a full range of HR services and software Package deals are available SafeHR Cons As it’s a generalist service, there aren’t any particular areas of HR that SafeHR focuses on May not be suitable for bigger businesses Only a handful of reviews are available Save more with free payroll software Looking to cut costs further? Check out our guide to the best free payroll software for small businesses and growing teams. 3. MoorepayBig-name brands such as Mountain Warehouse have all used Moorepay. In fact, the company states that one in six of the UK’s working population is paid by Moorepay and Zellis. It also has more than 10,000 business customers, and can offer a personalised service with HR specialists on hand whenever they’re needed.What does Moorepay do?Founded in 1966, Moorepay specialises in payroll and generalised HR services for small and large businesses alike. Moorepay makes sense of things like company benefits, pensions, and payments, as well as offering general HR solutions, so that you can get on with managing other important functions of your business.How much does Moorepay cost?Moorepay does not share its prices publicly. However, it does offer the ability to get a quote for its services.Need to compare outsourcing costs? Read our guide to payroll service prices to see what different providers charge.Why choose Moorepay?Moorepay operates through a combination of software provision and HR support. In addition to its expert payroll services, Moorepay offers generalised HR services, which include health and safety management, employment law, and people analytics.Moorepay is best for payroll services and generalised HR consulting.Having started in payroll, this is undoubtedly where Moorepay stands out from the competition. However, the range of services that it offers means that Moorepay can help small businesses to operate efficiently and effectively across a broad range of HR topics. Moorepay also provides HR software It's easy to use, automates your HR processes, and gives you access to Moorepay's expertise. Try Moorepay Book a free demo today Moorepay Pros An established business with more than 10,000 customers Has worked with well-known brands HR support and software available 4.5 score on Trustpilot Moorepay Cons Some small businesses may feel a lack of personal connection due to Moorepay's broad customer base If your business doesn’t require payroll assistance specifically, then other providers could be more suitable No pricing information available on the Moorepay website Get free HR software quotes Keen to find the best HR provider for your business, but don’t want to spend too much time searching? Compare HR companies quickly and easily with our free quote finding tool to get quotes directly from HR providers that match your unique business profile. 4. Wirehouse Employer ServicesFounded in 2010, Wirehouse Employer Services describes itself as “a company steeped in a long history of service and expertise”.Customer feedback tells us that Wirehouse boasts possibly the best customer support team on this list. HR processes can be confusing to understand, but users report that Wirehouse’s prompt helpdesk keeps them on track and focusing on their main business activities.What does Wirehouse do?Wirehouse offers outsourced HR services in the following areas:PackageIncludesHR support & serices24/7 HR advice line, employment law documentation, contracts and handbooks, employment tribunal advice, and guarantee cover (indemnified advice)HR ConsultancyMeeting support, mediation, recruitment support, Contract and handbook auditsHealth & Safety Packages24/7 advice line, review/creation of H&S management systems, H&S documents for business needs, risk assessments (including fire) and method statements, on-site support for emergencies, accredited courses, classroom training or e-learning, food safety supportHow much do Wirehouse Employer Services cost?Wirehouse costs are either billed as a retained fee (package) or a one-off consultancy. Prices are only available on request, so we can’t mark them highly for transparent fees.However, unlike options like SafeHR, you’ll be able to discuss pricing directly with a sales representative to design your own bespoke pricing plan, which could be seen as an advantage – particularly for those requiring specialist HR services.Why choose Wirehouse Employer Services?Advice support lines are available 24/7. Both curious business owners as well as existing customers will be able to make use of the Wirehouse support team, as there are no caps on the usage. Wirehouse also claims not to have hidden renewals in its contracts, so customers should have complete control over their contract length.Wirehouse HR is best for small business employment law and health and safety. This makes it a good option for firms hiring from abroad or based in riskier sectors, like construction. Wirehouse Pros Unlimited advice which is indemnified (customers are compensated for any losses or damages incurred from poor advice) No hidden renewals on contracts, so you won't get tied into an overly-long contract Dedicated consultants will work directly with your team for easier collaboration Flexible packages can suit many budgets/business sizes Wirehouse Cons Like Moorepay, Wirehouse does not display upfront costs on its website No payroll provision. Brands like Moorepay will be more suitable for companies wanting a payroll solution 5. HR SolutionsHR Solutions was launched in 2001 and began life as a family-run small business. The enterprise has developed and expanded considerably since then, but its humble background means that HR Solutions understands first-hand the needs of small businesses.What does HR Solutions do?HR Solutions offers an extensive range of HR services, including both support and software, and covers everything from audits and payroll to recruitment and more. It can also provide health and safety management.How much does HR Solutions cost?Its services are available on a per-hour or per-package basis, meaning that it’s easy to understand how much the support that your business requires might cost. Some pricing examples include:ServiceTypeCostHR for SME & New BusinessPackage (one-off)Starting from £650 + VATHR SupportPackage (monthly)Starting from £135 per monthInterim HR SupportPer hour£135 per hourWhy choose HR Solutions?HR Solutions runs seminars, webinars, and online training sessions, providing plenty of ways to ensure that your small business is compliant with the correct HR policies and procedures.HR Solutions is best for startups that are looking for virtual support – HR Solutions has a wide range of support and software available online, which can provide invaluable guidance for fledgling businesses.But with so many options available, HR Solutions may not be ideal for small businesses that are looking for a company with a more specialist approach. HR Solutions Pros Offers a wide range of HR services and software Began life as a family-run small business, so knows about good customer service Easy to understand pricing Online resources are available HR Solutions Cons May not be suitable for small businesses that need more specific HR support Not suitable for larger companies Is your chosen HR provider accredited? Katy McMinn, co-founder and director of HRi, says the key thing for any business owner to consider when bringing in an HR professional is whether they are accredited by a relevant professional body. “This will give the business owner peace of mind, and the reassurance that the HR firm is working to a recognised industry standard and has the right capability, expertise, and knowledge to fall back on.” 6. PeninsulaPeninsula has been providing HR support since 1983 and has worked with more than 33,000 businesses. It operates across the UK, as well as in Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.What does Peninsula do?Offering a range of services – including employment law and HR, as well as health and safety – Peninsula can provide on-site and software-based HR support. It offers 24-hour HR and health and safety advice, with wellbeing services such as EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) and mental health training also available.How much does Peninsula cost?You can choose from either the HR or health and safety packages, or a combined package, which offers both services. Peninsula’s pricing is calculated on a per-employee, per-month basis, with one to five-year terms available.Much like with other providers on this list, Peninsula’s pricing isn’t publicly available, as you’ll need to request a quote directly from the company.Visit our HR outsourcing costs page for more general information about how much you can expect to pay for HR services.Why choose Peninsula?Peninsula began as a startup, meaning it knows all too well the specific requirements of small businesses. It offers a variety of HR, health and safety, and well-being services, as well as dedicated corporate solutions.Peninsula is best for a variety of HR consultancy services, and is a highly-rated, award-winning company.However, due to Peninsula’s size and scale, some small businesses might find that it lacks the personalised approach of a smaller provider. Peninsula Pros More than 20,000 Trustpilot reviews, with an Excellent rating overall Established HR firm with a substantial client base Advice is available on a 24-hour basis Peninsula Cons May be too generalist for companies wanting support in very specific areas of HR No pricing information available on the Peninsula website HR Software: streamline your HR without outsourcing If you’d rather take responsibility for your people team functions, then HR software is an excellent, DIY option for managing your employees. The right software provider could still give you access to expert advice and knowledge, while giving you greater control over your HR functions at a lower cost. To find out more, read our comprehensive guide to the best HR software for small businesses. 7. WhitecollarsFounded in 2018, Whitecollars is a relatively fresh startup itself and knows a thing or two about what other small businesses might need from an HR firm. It operates both in the UK and overseas, helping small businesses and corporate companies with their assorted HR demands.What does Whitecollars do?Whitecollars can assist with several HR tasks, including the recruitment process, performance management, tailored employee handbooks linked to your organisational culture, and customised training programmes. Its services can also be customised based on your business requirements.How much does Whitecollars cost?Pricing information for Whitecollars’s HR services isn’t available on its website. However, you can find flexible pricing for its recruitment services, which are listed below:PlanCostStarter£1,999 flat fee + VAT, or 15% of the first year's salarySenior£3,199 flat fee + VAT, or 18% of the first year's salaryExecutive£5,1999 flat fee + VAT, or 20% of the first year's salaryWhy choose Whitecollars?Not only does Whitecollars offer a team with plenty of international experience, but 80% of its staff have Master’s degrees, while all team members boast HR certifications.During a project, assistance is available 24/7, and it also offers support after a project has been completed.Whitecollars is best for small to large businesses that want to work with an HR startup, as it’s more likely to have an understanding of the current issues and challenges facing small businesses. Whitecollar Pros International experience means it's great for virtual teams operating abroad Highly qualified staff Positive feedback from existing customers on Clutch Whitecollar Cons Pricing information for HR services is unavailable on its website Less experienced than some other providers Choosing an HR consultant: next stepsSelecting an HR provider is an important decision, with many factors to take into consideration. While requirements are likely to vary between businesses, we offer insight from an HR expert who details some of the essential elements to assess.Gabby Smith, HR director at British Assessment Bureau, tells Startups: “As a startup or a small business, you need to balance the cost of an HR company with a service that’s there when you need it. Look for these three vital things in your HR company:Experience: you don’t want to spend time explaining your business, so consider an HR company that already understands your industryDedicated contact: speaking to someone different each time you call means you’ll constantly be wasting time explaining your needsEasy to reach: you might not need your HR company every day, but when you do, they should be easy to contact. Do they offer telephone support? Email? Live chat? Don’t forget to check which time zone they operate in, too.” Best HR Service Providers: a summary Avensure – Best for HR employment lawSafeHR – Best for affordability and varied HR packages; specialises in small businesses and charitiesMoorepay – Best for large employers (10+ employees) needing a focus on payroll servicesWirehouse HR – Best for small construction firms needing a focus on health and safetyHR Solutions – Best for small businesses without human resource personnel, and wanting HR trainingPeninsula – Best for a broad range of HR servicesWhitecollars – Best for small businesses wanting bespoke, personalised customer serviceClick any of the links above to begin comparing costs on HR services for your own company’s size and needs. Frequently Asked Questions How do I find the right HR consultant? Start by researching top HR consultancy providers, then request an action plan to see how they could support your business. Check references to get an idea of their reputation, ensure they specialise in your industry, and confirm CIPD membership. Finally, speak with a sales rep to access customer support, solutions, and clear pricing. What’s the best HR firm for a business on a budget? If you’re looking to enlist a top-notch HR consultancy in the UK without paying sky-high prices, we suggest SafeHR. It offers affordable and easy-to-understand pricing, as HR services costs £8 per employee, per month (plus a flat fee of £50). What’s the best HR company for small businesses? We’d suggest Peninsula as the best HR company for startups and small businesses. Peninsula’s focus on HR training – along with its 24-hour support options – make it a reassuring choice for beginners. What HR does a small business need? Small businessses should use HR providers to carry out various people management tasks including recruitment, employment law, employee development, payroll, and health and safety monitoring. On top of this, they can be used as third-party data stores for keeping track of staff admin and grievances. Which businesses are best suited for HR consulting services? HR consulting services are generally better for businesses that have been operating for over a year, and have 10 or more employees. However, if you plan to expand your team in the next few years, hiring a specialist advisor early-on will help to develop the correct policies and procedures in place to support this growth. Have you ever used an HR service provider before? Find the best option for your business today Yes No Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Written by: Helena Young Deputy Editor Helena is Deputy Editor at Startups. She oversees all news and supporting content on Startups, and is also the author of the weekly Startups email newsletter, delivering must-know SME updates straight to their inbox. From interviewing Wetherspoon's boss Tim Martin to spotting data-led working from home trends, her insight has been featured by major trade publications including the ICAEW, and news outlets like the BBC, ITV News, Daily Express, and HuffPost UK. With a background in PR and marketing, Helena is particularly passionate about giving early-stage startups a platform to boost their brands. That's one reason she manages the Startups 100 Index, our annual ranking of new UK businesses.