HR Voices Podcast

A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.

Hosted by Mary Asante | HR Independents (HRi)

📅 Release Date: 13th October 2025

🎧 Episode 60: HR Voices with Nicci Birley — How Great HR Consultants Add Value to Your Business

 👤 Guest: Nicci Birley, Cornerstone Resources

In This Episode:

Host Mary Asante welcomes the brilliant Nicci Birley, co-founder of Cornerstone Resources, to explore the true value that HR consultants bring to the clients and communities they serve.

Nicci shares her journey from corporate HR to running a growing HR consultancy with her husband Rob Birley, supporting a wide range of small businesses, charities, and faith-based organisations across the UK.

Together, they unpack:

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  • 🔍 The diverse services HR consultants provide – from recruitment to redundancy, and everything in between
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 🧩 Why tailoring HR support to each client’s culture and needs is critical to impact
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 💡 How HR consultants can use insight, empathy, and external perspective to unlock opportunities for clients
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 🤝 The importance of proactive relationships, monthly check-ins, and bringing fresh ideas even when “nothing seems wrong”
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • 🧠 Managing complexity, safeguarding responsibilities, and supporting clients through tough scenarios — including personal conflicts within family-run businesses
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

• 🛟 Why self-care and community matter for consultants — and how networks like HRi make a real difference
  
  
  
  

Key Takeaways:

✅ HR consultants offer more than just policies — they bring clarity, perspective, and care

✅ Tailored support based on real listening creates lasting value

✅ Proactive conversations often uncover hidden challenges and solutions

✅ Self-awareness and ongoing learning are essential to sustainable consulting

✅ Being part of a trusted HR network, like HRi, provides powerful backup and peace of mind

Top Tips from Nicci Birley:

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   1. Build a strong network – Don’t go it alone. Surround yourself with other indies and trusted professionals.
      
      
      
      
   
   
   2. Keep learning – Stay on top of legal changes, best practices, and industry trends to offer up-to-date, credible advice.
      
      
      
      
   
   

• See it through your client’s eyes – Step into their shoes to deliver practical, empathetic support with impact.
  
  
  
  

💬 Listen & Engage:

Loved this episode?

📩 Got a topic suggestion or want to be a guest? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk

🌐 More episodes & resources: www.hrindependents.co.uk

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Thank you for listening — and for showing up, not just as professionals, but as people.