Hello! I'm Deborah Barrett
I help ambitious SMEs develop their people leadership capabilities to build high-performing teams that drive business success.
​
With 20 years of experience in senior HR roles in businesses of all sizes and a variety of of industries from music and entertainment, marketing agency, environmental consultancy to software engineering, my passion lies in helping growing SMEs create the leadership foundations they need to scale successfully.
​​
​I'm a qualified Coach and a Chartered Member of the CIPD (professional body for HR & People Development).
Creative solutions to build high performing teams
My path to people leadership consulting began in the creative sectors, where I spent 8 years in the music industry and 3 years in sports marketing. In these environments, I learnt to solve people challenges creatively, working with passionate professionals who lived and breathed their industries.​
The real catalyst for my business came after leaving the corporate world and moving to Bristol. I joined a tech business with 35 employees as their first HR professional, and it was here that I experienced the profound impact even small changes could make in an SME environment – changes that would have been lost in the noise of a corporate setting.
​I saw firsthand how small businesses simply can't afford to carry underperformers or have ineffective management practices – every person and every process matters. This realisation led me to establish my consultancy in January 2022, focusing specifically on helping SMEs build the people leadership capabilities they need to grow successfully.
Today, I work with ambitious businesses across the South West, helping them develop their people leadership strategies and capabilities. I split my time between strategic HR consultancy, developing and delivering line manager training programmes, and one-to-one leadership coaching – all with the goal of building cultures where managers lead confidently and teams perform at their best.​ What I love most about my work is seeing the transformation when businesses move from reactive firefighting to proactive leadership development, freeing up time and energy to focus on strategic growth.​​
Who I work with
I partner with established businesses, typically with 15-50 employees, who have clear growth plans and want to create a great workplace for their people. My ideal clients are:
​
-
Ambitious businesses with exciting growth trajectories and clear expansion plans
-
Forward-thinking MDs/CEOs ready to elevate their strategic focus
-
Leadership teams eager to distribute decision-making more effectively
-
Businesses committed to investing in their managers' leadership development
-
Companies that embrace proactive, strategic approaches to business challenges
-
Organisations ready to build sustainable, positive people practices
A proactive approach to people leadership
I understand the unique challenges that come with growing a business. Whether you're an MD feeling trapped in day-to-day operations, noticing your managers need support developing their teams, or realising your people strategy isn't keeping pace with your growth ambitions – these are all signs that your leadership capabilities need attention to support your next phase of expansion.
​
Unlike traditional HR consultants who focus on policies and firefighting problems, I help you build proactive leadership capabilities that prevent issues from arising in the first place.
​
I believe most people problems can be solved through meaningful conversations rather than complex policies. My approach focuses on creating cultures where managers lead confidently and authentically – enabling you to focus on growth rather than firefighting people issues.
How I can help you
STRATEGIC HR CONSULTANCY
Starting with a thorough gap analysis, I develop tailored people strategies aligned with your business growth plans. Whether you need an ongoing strategic partnership or targeted project support, I help you build the leadership infrastructure that enables sustainable growth.
​
LINE MANAGER TRAINING
My training programmes develops confident, capable managers who drive team performance. Through bite-sized workshops combined with one-to-one coaching, your managers learn to lead authentically, provide meaningful feedback, and create high-performing teams.
​
LEADERSHIP COACHING
For managers facing the challenges of leadership, my coaching programme helps them find their authentic management style. Using DISC profiling and targeted coaching, I help your team leaders build confidence, manage stress, and develop the mindset needed for effective leadership.​​​​
What this means for your business
Working with me means:
-
Freedom from day-to-day operations to focus on strategic growth
-
Confident managers who can make decisions without constant MD input
-
A leadership structure that supports your growth ambitions
-
Regular, meaningful feedback becoming the norm
-
Moving from reactive firefighting to preventative approaches
-
Stronger team engagement and reduced turnover
-
Less time spent on people problems, more on business growth
.png)