A calmer, more human way to do HR.

HR Whisperer was founded on a simple belief: every business deserves access to thoughtful, senior HR support, no matter its size or budget.

Meet HR Whisperer

At HR Whisperer, we believe exceptional HR is about more than policies and procedures—it’s about understanding people, building trusted relationships and providing practical, commercially focused advice that helps businesses thrive.

Founded by Harriet Shepherd MCIPD, HR Whisperer was created to bring senior-level HR expertise within reach of small and growing businesses. Today, every HR Whisperer consultant is CIPD qualified, sharing the same commitment to professionalism, integrity and delivering straightforward, pragmatic HR support.

Collectively our experience spans a wide range of sectors, including Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Construction, Hospitality, Education, Technology, Professional Services and SMEs, giving us the knowledge and insight to understand the unique challenges faced by different organisations. We recognise that every business is different, which is why we take the time to understand your culture, values and objectives before providing tailored HR solutions.

As a Certified Thomas International Personality Profiling Practitioner, Harriet also brings specialist expertise in leadership development, recruitment, team dynamics and organisational performance, helping businesses not only remain compliant but also unlock the potential of their people.

Whether you’re recruiting your first employee, managing a sensitive employee relations issue, strengthening your people practices or looking for ongoing strategic HR support, you’ll have an experienced, approachable HR professional by your side—providing trusted advice, practical solutions and the confidence to make informed decisions.

Let's Protect your business | Support your people | Stretch your budget - Together

A friendly, no-obligation chat is the best place to start. Tell us where you are, we’ll show you what’s possible.

What we stand for

Honest guidance

Straight-talking, jargon-free advice. We tell you what you need to hear, kindly and clearly.

People at the heart

Every business is a collection of people. We never lose sight of the humans in the policies.

Quietly excellent

Senior-level experience delivered without ego Practical, accountable and quietly brilliant.

Good questions, honest answers

What size of business do you work with?

We specialise in supporting small and medium-sized businesses, from start-ups taking on their first employee to growing teams of 100+. Wherever you are on the journey, we tailor our support to fit.

Do you only work with UK clients?

No — although we’re proudly UK-based, we provide remote HR support to clients worldwide. Many of our clients operate internationally or have hybrid teams across borders.

How do you charge for your services?

We offer flexible options including pay-as-you-go advice, project work and ongoing retainers. We’ll always agree pricing upfront so there are no surprises.

What is Personality Profiling and how can it help my business?

As a Certified Thomas International Practitioner, we use professional assessments to give you practical insight into how individuals communicate, lead and work in teams — improving recruitment, leadership and team dynamics.

Can you help with a specific issue, like a difficult conversation or a grievance?

Absolutely. Many clients first come to us with a one-off challenge. We’ll guide you step-by-step and stay alongside you for as long as you need.

How quickly can you respond?

We pride ourselves on being responsive and accessible. Most enquiries receive a same-day response, and ongoing clients have direct access to us when issues arise.