People Management Solutions, one of Northern Ireland’s longest established and most trusted HR consultancies, is celebrating a major milestone: 25 years of supporting employers, strengthening workplaces and helping organisations thrive.
Founded by Deirdre Kelly and Christine Swail, the business began with a simple but powerful belief that SMEs deserved better, more personal and more commercially minded HR support. What followed was a leap of faith that would shape a quarter century of impact across Northern Ireland and beyond.
“Looking back to those early days, we questioned our sanity more than once,” said Deirdre. “We walked away from secure senior HR roles on a Friday with no confirmed work for the Monday. But we had belief, drive and a clear vision: to offer SMEs the HR expertise they needed, delivered by specialists who truly understood their business.”
Their story, first shared publicly at a Belfast startup event introduced by the Lord Mayor, captured the realities of entrepreneurship: risk, resilience and the determination to build something better. From Christine’s spare room in Belfast, the consultancy quickly grew, expanding beyond greater Belfast and into Mid Ulster. The company responded to the needs of organisations with 10 to 200 employees who lacked inhouse HR but needed expert guidance.
Today, People Management Solutions is a trusted partner across manufacturing, IT, food, hospitality, professional services and the public sector, known for its hands on approach, deep expertise and unwavering commitment to doing things the right way.
25 Years of Milestones and Momentum
Over the past 25 years, the consultancy has achieved significant milestones, including:
• Building a loyal retainer base, with 60% of clients in contract for more than 6 years.
• Working with some of Northern Ireland’s most well know organisations including Almac, Clanmil Housing Association, Danske Bank, Firmus Energy, Lidl, Marcon, Pilgrim Europe, NI Water, Police Ombudsman, Starplan, The MAC, Translink and Waterways Ireland.
• Supporting many of Northern Irelands indigenous small businesses such as Cookstown Panel Centre, Draynes Farm, Norspace, Funds Axis, Go Pig or Go Home, Loud Mouth Media, Mallon Technology and Millbrook Lodge & Ivanhoe Hotel.
• Establishing Northern Ireland’s first fully outsourced HR service designed specifically for SMEs.
• Becoming one of Ireland’s leading providers of workplace diversity, equality and dignity at work training, as well as workplace investigations across public and private sectors.
• Expanding operations into ROI and GB, developing a strong client network across the island of Ireland and the UK.
• Growing the team, including the appointment of a Head of HR Operations and sustaining expansion through changing economic climates.
• Achieving consistent double digit annual turnover growth since formation.
• Being awarded CIPD HR Consultancy of the Year.
Christine credits the company’s longevity to the founders’ complementary strengths: “One of us is pragmatic and meticulous, the other a natural networker and optimist. These strengths coupled with determination, honesty and a commitment to doing the work ourselves has been the foundation of our success. Our personal approach has been our unique selling point and remains at the heart of our business today.”
Looking Ahead
As People Management Solutions enters its next chapter, its mission remains unchanged: helping organisations retain talent, minimise disputes, comply with employment law and create workplaces where people can do their best work.
“Twenty-five years on, we still love what we do,” added Deirdre. “We took the risk; we adapted when we needed to and we never looked back. Our story began with a leap of faith and we hope it continues to inspire others to take theirs.”
The business celebrated 25 years of success with long-standing partners and supporters at their offices in Dungannon.
