Top Outsourced Chief Human Resources Agencies in the UK in 2025

Best Fractional CHRO Services in the United Kingdom

As the global workforce continues to decentralize and the executive-as-a-service model becomes more mainstream, the United Kingdom has seen a growing demand for fractional leadership—especially in the human resources space. Whether it's helping a scale-up shape its people strategy, guiding a legacy firm through transformation, or establishing foundational HR practices for startups, fractional CHROs (Chief Human Resources Officers) are becoming essential to modern businesses.

At Digital Reference, we’re committed to reshaping the way the professional world connects, verifies, and grows. That includes making it easier for organizations to discover reputable HR leadership through our curated directories and blogs. This time, we’re zooming in on the top outsourced CHRO agencies in the UK.

These agencies provide flexible, part-time, and embedded HR leadership services, giving businesses access to senior-level expertise without the full-time commitment. Each agency listed here has been vetted through our internal methodology:

Our Methodology

• Location: The firm must operate in or serve clients within the UK.
• Focus: Clear and established offerings related to fractional CHRO or outsourced HR leadership.
• Credibility: Demonstrated client success, transparent service offerings, and professional visibility.
• Alignment with Digital Reference Values: Human-first, outcome-driven, and committed to workplace authenticity and strategic growth.

Let’s explore the top players leading the UK’s HR evolution.

1. ChipChap

https://chipchap.co.uk/fractional-chro-service-website

ChipChap is one of the UK’s emerging leaders in the fractional executive space, with a standout service offering dedicated to fractional CHRO support. Their HR leadership solutions are designed for fast-growth businesses, startups, and SMEs needing structure, strategy, and scalable systems.

What sets ChipChap apart is their attention to cultural alignment and leadership coaching. Their CHRO services extend beyond just compliance or people ops—they embed a people-first mindset into core business decisions.

Core Offerings:

• Fractional CHRO engagement (short or long-term)
• People strategy design and implementation
• HR audit and organizational design
• Leadership coaching and people analytics

Who They Serve:

• Startups, scale-ups, and growth-stage SMEs across tech, media, and finance

Why We Featured Them:

ChipChap is a forward-thinking agency that brings a fresh lens to HR leadership. Their commitment to long-term transformation over short-term fixes aligns closely with Digital Reference’s human-centric philosophy.

2. Performly

https://performly.co.uk/service/fractional-leadership/

Performly is a UK-based consulting firm that takes a performance-first approach to fractional leadership. Their fractional CHRO services focus on bridging the gap between business performance and people operations.

They work directly with founders, CEOs, and investors to embed HR strategy into business planning. Performly’s CHRO leaders come from varied industry backgrounds—from SaaS to professional services—and bring both tactical know-how and strategic insight.

Core Offerings:

• Embedded fractional CHRO leadership
• Change management and workforce transformation
• HR tech and systems advisory
• Culture-building and organizational development

Who They Serve:

• Private equity-backed firms, growing SMEs, founder-led startups

Why We Featured Them:

Performly stands out for its high-caliber executive bench and cross-functional approach. They understand that CHROs are not just "people people," but business drivers who sit at the leadership table.

3. People Puzzles

https://peoplepuzzles.co.uk/hr-services/fractional-hr/what-is-a-fractional-chro/

People Puzzles is perhaps one of the most recognized names in the UK for fractional HR leadership. With a deep bench of HR professionals across the country, they offer tailored services that adapt to your company's stage, size, and strategic direction.

Their fractional CHRO services are structured yet flexible, blending onsite and remote leadership, interim support, and strategic HR transformation. Whether your company needs help setting up policies or reimagining culture, People Puzzles has a CHRO for that.

Core Offerings:

• Part-time HR Directors and CHROs
• Strategic workforce planning
• Talent development and succession strategy
• Culture, engagement, and retention programs

Who They Serve:

• Mid-sized and growing businesses in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and services

Why We Featured Them:

People Puzzles brings scale and structure to the fractional CHRO space. Their national footprint, deep expertise, and practical HR execution make them a trusted resource across the UK.

Why Fractional CHROs Are More Relevant Than Ever

Across the UK and globally, businesses are realizing that people strategy is too important to outsource to junior HR staff or software alone. But not every organization can afford, or even needs, a full-time CHRO.

That’s where fractional CHROs come in.

These professionals help:

• Design org structures that scale
• Lead hiring plans tied to business KPIs
• Navigate HR compliance and regulatory changes
• Build DEI, engagement, and wellness strategies
• Act as thought partners to executive leadership

And the best part? Their flexibility means businesses can adjust the level of support as needed—a game-changer for startups, SMEs, and high-growth ventures.

What Digital Reference Brings to the Table

At Digital Reference, we’re more than a directory. We’re building a platform where professionals can showcase verified career accomplishments, collect lasting references, and build portfolios that tell a deeper story.

For agencies offering CHRO services, a Digital Reference profile helps:

• Highlight your executive team’s achievements
• Share testimonials and references from clients
• Organize your service packages in a transparent, searchable format
• Stand out to decision-makers seeking fractional HR leadership

And for professionals navigating the talent ecosystem, our platform offers a human-centric way to:

• See who’s behind the agency
• Learn from past client experiences
• Share insight and thought leadership

We're here to make professional storytelling more authentic, visible, and trusted.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Fractional CHRO Services in the UK

The rise of remote and hybrid work, DEI pressure, and talent shortages is forcing companies to take people operations more seriously. The traditional HRBP model doesn’t always cut it.

Fractional CHROs offer a strategic, affordable, and credible solution. They’re being hired to lead employer brand overhauls, scale HR departments from scratch, and coach founders on how to build resilient, human-first teams.

The UK is uniquely positioned to lead this evolution. With a growing ecosystem of fractional providers, and a business culture that values both structure and innovation, we expect to see more businesses investing in CHRO leadership at every growth stage.

And we’ll be here to document and amplify it.

Want to Be Featured?

Are you a CHRO agency serving clients in the UK? Or a fractional HR leader making a difference? We’d love to hear from you.

Contact us at ryan@digitalreference.co to be considered for future updates.

Final Thoughts

In today’s people-driven business environment, the role of the CHRO is more than just compliance and conflict resolution. It’s about aligning culture with strategy, and people with purpose.

The agencies we’ve featured are doing just that—bringing world-class HR leadership to businesses that need flexibility without sacrificing quality.

If you're looking to elevate your people strategy, start with one of these trusted partners.

And don’t forget: the future of work is human. Let’s build it, one profile, one reference, and one leader at a time.

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• Create a Digital Reference Profile
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