Ongoing HR Support
On a monthly retainer
For founders who need senior HR in their corner, month after month.
Some people problems are easily fixed once and stay that way. But most don’t work like that. New hires keep joining, and every quarter brings a decision you’d rather not make alone. A one-off project doesn’t cover that. Having someone in your corner does.
That’s the point of a retainer.
How ongoing HR support works
You get a set number of days each month, and we shape them around the business’s needs.
One month it’s hiring plans and interviews; the next a tricky performance issue that needs handling the right way. The month after, it might be quiet, so we use the time to get ahead on the tasks you’d otherwise never get done.
You’re never paying for a full-time salary, and you’re not starting from scratch. I already know your business, so there’s no need for unnecessary catch-up meetings before we get down to the real work.
Why founders keep senior HR on retainer
When a key person resigns or a grievance lands on your desk, you want someone who can pick it up that week, and who already has the context to handle it well. People decisions don't wait for a project to be scoped.
There's another reason too, one that keeps someone senior around every month so problems are identified while they're still small. That might be the manager who's struggling or a pay gap that's about to become a resignation. You deal with problems early or you deal with them expensively.
Scalable HR Support.
COMPANY-WIDE ALIGNMENT & GOAL SETTING
Get everyone pulling in the same direction.
THE ESSENTIALS (FOUNDATIONS & RISK)
Fix the people basics before growth exposes the cracks.
FOUNDER & LEADERSHIP ADVISORY
Experienced guidance when decisions actually matter.
FRACTIONAL HR DIRECTOR
Senior HR leadership without full-time headcount.
MONTHLY RETAINER SUPPORT
Ongoing partnership without permanent cost.
UPSKILLING MANAGERS & PEOPLE TEAMS
Turn willing teams into high-performing ones.
What's included
The honest answer is whatever the month calls for, but in practice it covers:
- A regular rhythm of time with you and your leadership team.
- Hands-on help with whatever's live, from hiring to exits.
- Someone your managers can go to before small things grow.
- A steady eye on the risks you don't have time to watch.
If you’re weighing up whether this beats a full-time hire, check out the Fractional HR Director page to see how the model works. A retainer is simply that support with a rhythm to it.
What founders say
HubBox
Founder
The Wellness Pathway
Founder
Seven20.io
Founder
Kate Kerr
Founder
Discourse
People & Legal
Koinly
VP, Operations
Crerar Group
Chief Commercial Officer
Bleach London
CEO
Redtorch
Co-Founder
Ongoing HR Support FAQs
How many days a month do I need?
Most businesses land somewhere between two and six days a month, depending on headcount and how much is changing. We'll work out the right level on a call, and it can flex as the business does.
Can we change the level of support?
Yes, scale up during busy periods, and scale back when they settle. That's the point of the model. You're never locked into paying for more than you need.
Is a retainer better than one-off HR projects?
They do different jobs. A project fixes a specific thing. A retainer means the specific things are spotted before they need fixing, and there's someone on hand when the unexpected happens. Most of my retainer clients started with a project, then realised the value was in me sticking around.
How much does ongoing HR support cost?
It depends on the days and what we're covering. Book a call and tell me where things stand. I'll give you a straight answer.
Let's talk
If you’re facing people decisions you’d rather not make alone, let’s talk. 30 minutes of proper conversation with no sales pitch. We’ll work out what level of support fits. I’m based in London and work with founders across the UK, in person or remote.