HR consultancies join forces to create 30-strong team

An acquisition in the HR sphere has created one of the largest independent people management and learning and development consultancies in the UK.

Hertfordshire consultancy HR Initiatives has been acquired by Basingstoke-based Reality HR, providing a combined client base of around 280 businesses with access to a strengthened pool of experts.

Sally-Ann Hall-Jones, CEO of Reality HR, said: “I am immensely proud to be taking this leap forward for Reality HR.

Our business has consistently grown in the two successful decades since it was founded in 2004, and for some time we have been looking to complement this growth with an opportunity to expand through acquisition.

“As a consultancy with people at the heart of everything we do, it was important to find a business that was a good cultural fit and shared our ethos of partnering strategically with businesses to help them succeed and grow.”

Celebrating 20 years as a leader in HR consultancy and management training, Reality HR welcomes HR Initiatives’ experienced professionals to create a 30-strong team, of which 22 are CIPDqualified HR professionals.

Laura Davis, Chair of Reality HR, added: “HR Initiatives has a team of experts which sits perfectly alongside ours, with a shared commitment to developing long-lasting, close partnerships with clients.

“Our combined consultancies now offer both sets of clients an even wider pool of experience and expertise to support business owners and managers in getting the best out of their people, overcoming HR challenges and growing their businesses.”

HR Initiatives’ clients will benefit from access to Reality HR’s recruitment services and established learning and development team, including an executive coach and insights discovery practitioners alongside tailored training solutions and development programmes for business leaders and line managers.

Emma Williams, Managing Director at HR Initiatives, said: “Just like us, the team at Reality HR are committed to helping businesses achieve their potential by putting people at the centre of their success. I am delighted that our exceptional people will be joining SallyAnn and her team, and I know they are looking forward to playing an integral part in the future growth of Reality HR, HR Initiatives and the businesses we partner with.”