Best Fractional CHROs in London

London Fractional CHRO Services, Outsourced CHROs & Interim Chief People Officers

London has always been a global business center. It’s where legacy industries meet innovation, and where fast-scaling companies are just as likely to be found in heritage buildings as in co-working spaces. Across fintech, professional services, life sciences, and nonprofits, companies in London are facing growing complexity—and are increasingly solving it through fractional leadership.

Among the most in-demand roles? Fractional Chief People Officers (CPOs) and CHROs. These professionals are helping organizations navigate growth, transformation, and culture shifts—without the long lead time or high cost of a full-time executive.

At Digital Reference, we’ve curated a list of London-based fractional CHROs who are bringing clarity, structure, and alignment to companies that need senior HR leadership right now. Whether operating independently or as part of advisory collectives, these leaders aren’t just consultants. They’re trusted partners, embedded thinkers, and action-oriented strategists.

Our Curation Process: How We Select Fractional CHROs in London

We don’t believe in surface-level directories. Digital Reference evaluates each profile through a lens of quality, alignment, and local relevance. To be featured, each professional must:

• Be active in the London metro region and serve UK-based organizations
  
  
• Clearly identify as working in a fractional, interim, or embedded CHRO/CPO capacity
  
  
• Offer a track record of HR leadership across multiple sectors or high-growth contexts
  
  
• Be publicly accessible and referenceable via LinkedIn or firm profiles
  
  
• Align with Digital Reference’s core belief in reputation as currency
  
  

The result? A highly curated resource for founders, operators, and boards who need executive-level HR partnership on flexible terms.

London Fractional CHROs Making Things Happen

💠‍Ally Maughan

Founder, People Puzzles
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

A pioneer in the fractional HR space, Ally Maughan built People Puzzles from a solo consultancy into a national force of over 80 part-time HR Directors—many of whom are embedded in growing businesses across London. Ally's approach focuses on aligning people strategies with business goals, helping mid-sized companies navigate everything from scaling challenges to culture transformation.

Why she stands out:

• 🎯 Developed the People Director model long before “fractional” was trendy
• 📊 Champions data-informed HR, strategic workforce planning, and culture‑driven growth
• 🎙️ Host of the People Puzzles podcast, offering hands-on advice to London founders
• 🏆 Named one of LDC’s “Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders”

💠Michelle Lustig

Fractional People Director, People Puzzles
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

A dynamic problem-solver within the People Puzzles team, Michelle Lustig works hands-on with businesses throughout the Greater London area. She’s known for building out the entire employee lifecycle—recruitment, performance, learning, and even exits—with clarity and purpose.

Why she stands out:

• 🧩 Specializes in leadership team development
• 🚀 Supports businesses through high-growth periods with adaptable people strategies
• 💼 Known for cutting through HR noise to deliver what actually works in London’s fast-paced market

💠Sangeeta Lund

Global Talent Leader & Strategic Advisor
🔗 LinkedIn

With nearly three decades of HR experience, Sangeeta Lund has led global people strategies at major companies—and now advises businesses in London on how to scale talent systems, manage performance, and build cross-regional leadership pipelines.

Why she stands out:

• 🌍 Led talent acquisition across Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East
• 💡 Deep expertise in global HR systems, ideal for London startups expanding abroad
• 🧠 Strategic thinking backed by real implementation results—especially in DEI and leadership

💠Chrissie Humphrey

Founder, HUMPHREY SMITH LIMITED
🔗 LinkedIn

As Chief People Officer at Argentex and founder of HUMPHREY SMITH LIMITED, Chrissie Humphrey brings a dual perspective: what works at scale, and what transforms culture. Based in London, she has experience implementing large-scale people initiatives without losing the human side.

Why she stands out:

• 💼 C-suite leader who understands startup agility and public company complexity
• 🧭 Excellent at embedding employee value propositions and inclusion strategies
• 📊 Brings a measurable approach to culture, performance, and engagement

💠Sarah Ropek

Founder, The Fractional HR Department
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Sarah Ropek brings corporate HR know-how into the small business world—delivering practical, effective people systems to London’s emerging firms. At The Fractional HR Department, she’s all about simplifying complexity and delivering full-scale HR leadership part-time.

Why she stands out:

• 🧩 Offers an entire HR department in a fractional package
• 🔄 Built for scale: recruitment, performance, compliance, and more
• 🛠️ Thrives in businesses that need HR strategy without full-time overhead

💠André Clark

Interim HR Consultant
🔗 LinkedIn

André Clark is an experienced HR leader who supports businesses through people transformation and organisational design. He works flexibly as an interim or part-time executive across London, supporting both startups and legacy firms.

Why he stands out:

• 🔁 Specializes in workforce restructuring and change leadership
• 🧠 Helps orgs adopt more agile HR models—especially during rapid change
• 🛠️ Often works with PE-backed or tech-first London firms navigating fast transitions

💠Paul Whitney

Founder, PW HR Consulting
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Having led HR globally at companies like Databricks and Cohesity, Paul Whitney now consults with London’s growing tech and software firms. He helps teams scale HR practices that actually serve business goals—and implements frameworks to sustain growth.

Why he stands out:

• 💡 Fractional CHRO for hypergrowth startups and tech orgs
• 📈 Brings global structure to local execution
• 💬 Trusted coach to founders and C-suite teams navigating fast people growth

💠Sinem Unal Aveleira

Founder, Evermind Human
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

With a background in change management, digital transformation, and DEI strategy, Sinem Aveleira is helping London companies build sustainable cultures through data and empathy. Her firm, Evermind Human, supports both established and scaling organisations.

Why she stands out:

• 🧠 Chartered FCIPD + Prosci certified = strategy + execution
• 🌿 Human-centred approach to systems, leadership, and change
• 🖥️ Works on culture, DEI, performance, and transformation, all under one roof

💠James Hartley

Founder, Potentia Change
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Founder of Potentia Change, James Hartley has supported organisations across the UK with interim HR leadership. He brings a deep focus on leadership effectiveness and culture change, backed by an understanding of people analytics and behavioural science.

Why he stands out:

• 🧬 Uses evidence-based methods to shift culture and develop leaders
• 📊 Integrates performance data into HR strategy
• 🧩 Flexible and insightful—great for firms needing change leadership without full-time headcount

Why London Businesses Are Turning to Fractional HR Leadership

London’s labor market is one of the most international and dynamic in the world. But that dynamism brings complexity—especially when companies need to:

• Scale HR functions quickly
  
  
• Professionalize culture without losing identity
  
  
• Navigate compliance across the UK and EMEA
  
  
• Manage hybrid and remote transitions
  
  
• Prepare for due diligence or investment rounds
  
  
• Introduce performance management or reward systems
  
  

Fractional CHROs solve for these challenges in weeks, not months—giving companies the leadership they need at exactly the right time.

Common Use Cases for Fractional CHROs in London

🧭 Startups post-funding: Founders need help building HR from scratch
📈 Mid-market growth: You’ve outgrown your people systems but aren’t ready for a full-time CHRO
🌐 Global expansion: Need HR strategy across borders with compliance in mind
🔄 M&A and integration: Fractional CHROs help unify people practices across entities
📣 Crisis or brand damage: A trusted CPO helps rebuild internal culture and trust

Whether it’s for 10 hours a week or a six-month engagement, fractional HR leaders are giving London companies the clarity and capacity they need to lead through complexity.

What Sets a Great Fractional CHRO Apart?

At Digital Reference, we look beyond credentials to find leaders who embody three things:

✅ Contextual judgment: They can drop into any org stage and assess what’s really needed
✅ Reputation and referenceability: Others trust them—and that trust travels
✅ Alignment with founders and boards: They know how to navigate high-stakes, high-urgency environments

Ally and Michelle aren’t just doing HR—they’re helping organizations become better versions of themselves.

Digital Reference Spotlight: Related Reads

Looking to learn more about fractional leadership or build a reference-first hiring strategy? Check these out:

📘 How to Hire a Fractional Executive
A practical guide for founders and operators navigating interim leadership.

📍 The Importance of Professional References
Explore why third-party credibility is more critical than ever in today’s trust-driven hiring market.

📘 Collecting Professional References: The Dos and Don’ts
References are often the make-or-break element of your next opportunity. Yet many professionals still treat the reference process as an afterthought or, worse, scramble to collect them last minute.

📗 The Talent Ecosystem: Why Fractional Operators Are Reshaping the C-Suite
Explore the structural shifts behind the rise of fractional leadership and what it means for your next hire.

Final Thought: The Future of HR Is Flexible—and That’s a Good Thing

As London continues to evolve into a hub for startups, scale-ups, and global firms, the leadership models supporting those companies are changing too.

Fractional CHROs are no longer a “maybe.” They’re a strategic yes for companies that want to scale without losing their culture—or their edge.

From building DEI frameworks to designing performance systems, from coaching founders to helping boards regain trust, these people leaders aren’t waiting for org charts to be finalized. They’re showing up, solving real challenges, and shaping workplaces that work better for everyone.

Ally and Michelle are already making things happen in London. And if your business is growing faster than your people strategy, this is exactly where you start.

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✅ Check Out Our Local Directories of Fractional CHROs & Interim Chief People Officers by City

This resource highlights city-specific guides to some of the most impactful interim and fractional Chief People Officers across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Each directory offers a look into the unique business culture of the region and the leaders driving people strategy forward.

• Atlanta
  Fractional CHROs in Atlanta Making Things Happen
  Atlanta’s talent leaders are shaping diverse, tech-forward workplaces in a city that’s become a magnet for startups, logistics firms, and entertainment enterprises. Fractional CHROs here are experts at managing rapid growth and culture change.

• Chicago
  Fractional CHROs in Chicago Making Things Happen
  In this powerhouse of industry and innovation, Chicago’s fractional CHROs help organizations scale intentionally—blending legacy systems with modern people practices in finance, healthcare, logistics, and tech.

• Columbus
  Fractional CHROs in Columbus Making Things Happen
  Columbus combines Midwestern values with high-growth potential, and its interim people leaders bring strategic clarity to fast-growing startups, educational institutions, and service-sector employers.

• Denver
  Fractional CHROs in Denver Making Things Happen
  Known for its entrepreneurial spirit and wellness-driven culture, Denver is home to CHROs who specialize in building values-aligned teams and sustainable HR infrastructures for growing businesses.

• Detroit
  Fractional CHROs in Detroit Making Things Happen
  In the heart of the Midwest’s manufacturing revival, Detroit’s people leaders are reinventing what workforce strategy looks like across automotive, tech, and nonprofit sectors.

• Houston
  Fractional CHROs in Houston Making Things Happen
  Energy, healthcare, and logistics dominate Houston’s economy, and the city’s CHROs are uniquely equipped to address complex compliance needs and workforce transformations.

• Indianapolis
  Fractional CHROs in Indianapolis Making Things Happen
  As Indianapolis grows into a regional tech and biotech hub, its interim HR leaders are guiding companies through strategic hiring, leadership development, and HR tech implementation.

• Jacksonville
  Fractional CHROs in Jacksonville Making Things Happen
  Jacksonville’s fractional CHROs serve fast-growing industries like finance, logistics, and healthcare—offering guidance on culture-building, operational scale, and remote workforce policy.

• Las Vegas
  Fractional CHROs in Las Vegas Making Things Happen
  Beyond hospitality, Vegas is growing its footprint in tech and healthcare—and its HR consultants are ushering in next-gen talent strategies in industries that rely on high performance and adaptability.

• Los Angeles
  Fractional CHROs in Los Angeles Making Things Happen
  In this entertainment and startup capital, LA’s CHROs specialize in hybrid teams, talent branding, and aligning creative and corporate cultures under fast-paced conditions.

• Miami
  Fractional CHROs in Miami Making Things Happen
  Miami is a rising tech and finance hotspot with a diverse workforce—and its interim people leaders are fluent in multicultural management, bilingual team dynamics, and global HR systems.

• Naples
  Fractional CHROs in Naples Making Things Happen
  In Naples, fractional HR leaders help small to midsize companies and family-owned businesses build professionalized systems without compromising close-knit cultures.

• New York City
  Fractional CHROs in New York City Making Things Happen
  From Wall Street to SoHo startups, NYC’s fractional CHROs are masters of navigating complexity—balancing regulation, rapid scaling, and inclusive leadership in high-pressure industries.

• Orlando
  Fractional CHROs in Orlando Making Things Happen
  Tourism, healthcare, and education anchor Orlando’s economy—and its CHROs provide high-touch leadership solutions that prioritize retention, well-being, and frontline empowerment.

• Phoenix
  Fractional CHROs in Phoenix Making Things Happen
  Phoenix is booming in construction, healthcare, and tech—and local CHROs are helping businesses mature people operations while retaining agility in competitive labor markets.

• Raleigh
  Fractional CHROs in Raleigh Making Things Happen
  As part of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is home to biotech, education, and tech talent—and its HR leaders are supporting scaleups with science-backed people strategies.

• Salt Lake City
  Fractional CHROs in Salt Lake City Making Things Happen
  SLC combines entrepreneurial energy with deep-rooted values, and its fractional CHROs offer people solutions that honor both innovation and integrity.

• San Diego
  Fractional CHROs in San Diego Making Things Happen
  Life sciences, defense, and tourism converge in San Diego—where fractional CHROs are helping companies adapt to hybrid work and global growth strategies.

• Seattle
  Fractional CHROs in Seattle Making Things Happen
  Seattle’s HR experts are key players in navigating tech sector challenges—from layoffs to equity planning to scaling culture across global engineering teams.

• St. Louis
  Fractional CHROs in St. Louis Making Things Happen
  This Midwestern city is home to major employers in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing—and its fractional CHROs support operational resilience and inclusive workforce planning.

• Washington, DC
  Fractional CHROs in Washington DC Making Things Happen
  In the nation’s capital, people leaders serve nonprofits, associations, and purpose-driven orgs—providing strategic clarity and DEI leadership in highly regulated environments.