HR Retainers for Small Businesses & Start-ups

Get HR Advice Whenever You Need it with our HR Retainers for small businesses

Do you need reliable and ongoing HR support without the cost of an HR employee? 

Do you spend time wading through conflicting HR advice? 

Do you feel fully confident in your approach to employee issues?


A women at a laptop typing, you cannot see her face. Symbolises our HR Retainer option and quick support whenever someone needs it online.

HR support on hand when you need it

  • Tailored advice and proactive support from trusted & consistent HR partner committed to protecting your business

  • Emergency support in a crisis from someone who knows your business and ways of working 

  • Peace of mind your HR policies and employee handbook are compliant and up to date

  • Support to recruit and retain the best people

  • Updates on the latest HR and employment news, with personalised advice 

  • Specific and easy to implement advice; a step up from the generic advice that legal helplines offer.

  • Cost effective alternative to hiring in-house HR support

What’s included in your HR Retainer Service? 

  • A monthly HR planning call - like having your own HR Director!

  • Trouble-shooting calls whenever you need them

  • Follow up emails with agreed actions and recommendations 

  • Updates on the latest HR and employment news - with personalised advice on what these mean for your business. 

  • Regular review of your People policies and handbooks

During the sessions we will find solutions for current issues, identify bubbling issues to nip in the bud, chat through resourcing, recruitment & retention plans, as well as your people strategy and the latest employment issues that affect your business. 


A group of people around their laptops collaborating.

Why work with me? 

My approach is open and flexible; always putting the commercial needs of your business first. I’ll listen to your concerns and work collaboratively, it’s not my style to impose solutions. I’ll always respect your concerns and work with you towards the right outcome. 

I maintain a non-judgement and confidential approach whatever the situation. You can always speak open and honestly with me!

With 17 years of Senior HR experience across a variety of industries, I bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to my solutions. I am CIPD qualified, as well as a certified coach and trainer. My approach is jargon-free and accessible, ensuring that everyone can benefit from clear and practical advice.

I get straight to the heart of issues and I love researching new industry developments and am always looking to the future; combining this with a strong sense of commercial awareness, I understand the unique challenges faced by senior leaders in an ever-changing workplace.

Using my wide range of skills and experience I will help you to reduce the costs and disruptions that come from people issues and work with you to create an exciting and future-proof people strategy to grow your business! 

Image of Lisa Thompson from Mountain HR

Monthly HR Retainer Fees:

Each HR Retainer Service package includes a regular 60-minute call at your chosen interval and ad-hoc trouble-shooting calls when you need them.

You’ll receive follow-up emails summarising agreed actions and recommendations.

Additionally, you'll get a monthly update of the latest HR and employment news, with personalised advice on what these updates mean for your business.

Monthly fees

Up to 50 employees - £425

Up to 150 employees - £749

150+ employees - £1250

Next Steps

  • Book an intro call to see if we’re a good fit.

  • We'll get your regular meetings booked in and get started!

Want to know more? Check out our FAQS below

Frequently asked questions - HR Retainer Service

What is an HR Retainer Service?

An HR Retainer service is a flexible and low cost service where businesses pay a fixed monthly fee to have ongoing professional HR Support. This means that you can access support with HR compliance, employee relations, complex people issues and other critical HR functions without hiring and paying for an internal HR team; it is a great alternative to hiring an HR Manager or Director. Our HR Retainer package is ideal for small businesses, Start-ups and charities who need HR advice but do not have an internal HR resources.

How can an HR Retainer Service benefit my small business?

An HR retainer service gives small businesses access to expert HR guidance, helping to prevent costly compliance issues and improve employee relations. With our monthly HR retainer, you’ll receive proactive HR management, leadership coaching, and personalised HR support tailored to your business needs. Whether you need help with HR compliance, developing HR policies, or managing staff, our services provide cost-effective and reliable support.

What HR Services Are Included in the Retainer Package?

Our HR retainer packages include a range of services, such as:

  • Employee relations support (handling grievances, disputes, etc.)

  • HR compliance and employment law advice

  • Annual Reviews of your HR policies

  • Regular HR audits to ensure compliance

  • Monthly emails letting you know about the latest HR updates and how they affect your business

  • Discounted rates on any additional services or projects; including Leadership Coaching, Manager Training and HR policies and Handbooks

How Do Your HR Retainer Services Compare to Hiring an In-House HR Team?

Hiring an in-house HR team can be expensive, especially for small businesses or startups. Our HR retainer service provides the same expertise at a fraction of the cost, with the flexibility to scale up or down as your business grows. You get access to experienced HR consultants without the overhead of full-time salaries. This makes our HR support for small businesses an ideal choice for companies looking for cost-effective HR solutions.

Do You have experience across different industries?

Yes, with almost 20 years of experience in HR, I have worked across many different industries and sectors including Tech Start-Ups, charities, The Arts, Transport & Logistics, Legal Services, Estate Agents and Property Management, Children’s Activity Providers & Venues; as well as Retail businesses, Publishing, Advertising and Marketing.

My work across a variety of industries means that I can quickly adapt and understand your business; providing tailored and focused advice.

Why Should I Choose Outsourced HR Over Ad-Hoc HR Services?

Choosing an outsourced HR service like a retainer means you have consistent, ongoing support rather than only addressing HR issues as they arise. With our monthly HR retainer, you receive proactive support to prevent problems before they happen, plus ongoing guidance for leadership and compliance. Ad-hoc HR services can be reactive and more expensive in the long run, while our retainer ensures continuous improvement of your HR function.

We also offer ad-hoc project services and so if you would like to work with us on that basis then that’s fine too!

How Can Your HR Services Help with Employee Relations?

Our employee relations services include managing conflicts, guiding you through disciplinary actions, and improving overall communication between management and staff. Whether you’re dealing with grievances or seeking to improve workplace culture, our HR consultants on retainer can provide expert guidance to resolve issues and build a more productive work environment. HR support for employee relations is critical for small businesses looking to create an inclusive and positive workplace.

Please note that attendance and in-depth support for formal procedures will incur additional charges, due to the level of work involved in these processes. All HR Retainer clients receive discounted rates on additional services and products.

What Types of Businesses Benefit Most from Your HR Retainer Services?

Our HR retainer services are ideal for small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across various industries. Companies that don’t have the resources for a full-time HR team but need ongoing HR support—such as startups, growing businesses, and companies navigating compliance changes—benefit most from our service. Whether you’re in tech, retail, or healthcare, our outsourced HR services provide the flexibility and expertise you need.

Where are you based?

I am based in Sidcup, Bexley and can provide in-person or remote HR Consultancy services across Kent, Surrey and South East London. If you are happy to work fully remotely then I can provide HR Services nationwide.

Current and past HR Consultancy clients are/have been based in Dartford, Eltham, Central London, Haslemere, Epsom, Sidcup, Bexley, Greenwich, Bristol, Bournemouth, Preston, St Albans, Leicester and Colchester.

How Can HR Support Improve My Small Business’ Compliance?

Our HR compliance services ensure that your business adheres to current employment laws and regulations, reducing the risk of costly fines or legal action. Through our HR retainer, we conduct regular HR audits, review your policies, and can offer additional training at discounted rates to keep your company compliant. For small businesses, having ongoing HR compliance support is essential to avoiding legal pitfalls.

Can You Help Create HR Policies for My Business?

Yes, we specialise in developing tailored HR policies that meet your business’s needs and ensure compliance with UK employment laws. Whether you need policies for employee relations, remote work, or diversity and inclusion, our HR consultancy services can help. As part of our HR retainer packages, we will regularly review your policies to keep pace with changing regulations and your business’s growth.

Do You Offer Remote HR Retainer Services?

Yes, we provide remote HR services for businesses across the UK. Our remote HR consultancy services allows you to access expert HR support wherever you are, making our HR retainer services convenient for start-ups, small businesses, and growing companies. Whether you need HR compliance advice, leadership coaching, or employee relations support, our remote service ensures you receive the HR expertise you need without geographic limitations.

How Do I Get Started with Your HR Retainer Services?

Getting started is easy. Simply contact us to discuss your business’s needs, and we’ll help you then we will set up your subscription. Then we will schedule a discovery meeting where we will discuss all aspects of your Company’s structure, goals, policies and strategy to fully understand your ways of working.

Whether you need HR compliance support, help with employee relations, or regular HR guidance, we are ready to provide cost-effective solutions tailored to your business.