There’s significant demand for external consultants in the people profession, with the type of support needed varying from one organisation to another. Organisations usually draft consultants in to help manage a specific piece of work within an organisation, whether that’s offering specialist advice or simply additional resource. Unlike people professionals who are employed by an organisation, consultants are usually self-employed or work for a professional services firm and support external clients with their specific needs.

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What does an independent people consultant do?

There are two types of people consultant roles: consultants who are employed by a professional services company, and independent self-employed consultants who have their own independent consultancy business. They’re usually expected to have a generic set of skills such as project management, stakeholder management and problem solving, as well as a good understanding of the client organisation and specialist knowledge and expertise in one or two areas of the people profession.  

Here are some activities you can expect to be involved in as a consultant: 

  • Building relationships with and selling your brand/services to future and current clients 
  • Taking time to understand the client organisation and their needs 
  • Bringing your people and business expertise together to identify a range of people solutions to meet the client’s needs 
  • Presenting solutions to clients 
  • Meeting clients and key people involved in the solution (often key leaders within the organisation both in and outside of the people profession) 
  • Scoping and planning project work, and writing proposals and reports 
  • Networking with and influencing people 
  • Listening to your client and providing a support network 
  • Project managing the solution to ensure your client’s needs are met. 

How does the CIPD support self-employed consultants?

Why choose the life of an independent consultant?

Case study

Why I chose the life of an independent consultant

Ruth Cornish FCIPD looks at the role of independent people professionals

Case study

A day in the life of an independent consultant

A day in the life of Gary Cookson, Director of EPIC HR Ltd

Case study

A day in the life of a self-employed director

A day in the life of Helen Buckwell, founding director of Hidden Strengths Learning

Case study

A day in the life of an independent consultant

A day in the life of Bob Aubrey, Managing Partner at Bob Aubrey Associates PTE LTD

CEO or consultant? Find out which is right for you

LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR CONSULTANTS OPERATING IN THE UK

Register yourself as a claims management company

If you’re working as an independent HR consultant in the UK, and advising or representing someone who’s involved in a dispute with an employer, you must seek authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to register yourself as ‘claims management company’. This applies to advice to individual claimants only - you do not need to do this if you are advising  employers on claims against them. 

Find out what this means for you

External resources and support

Resources on gov.uk

Help and advice for self-employed consultants
Resources for self-employed Help and support for your business IR35: working through an intermediary Business tax

Other resources

Help and advice for self-employed consultants
Federation of small businesses ICO data protection fee

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