HR Expertise for START-UPs & SME Employers

99% of European businesses are SMEs. They provide jobs to more than 85 million European citizens. SMEs are at the heart of innovation and entrepreneurship. Many SME leaders have to grapple with the twin challenges of securing the best new hires and then developing existing teams to their full potential.

More than half of workers report being relatively unproductive at work. This can lead to employee disengagement and attrition, potentially costing millions annually in lost financial opportunity. Unfortunately, leaders in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack the in-house expertise and tools to effectively address these people-related challenges.

Leadership Connect Solutions is led by two seasoned executives who blend global HR leadership with hands-on coaching expertise, offering SMEs and start-ups a rare combination of strategic vision and practical impact.

We offer flexible, scalable solutions and tailored packages that grow with your business—affordable, modular, and adaptable to changing needs. We aim to help clients see a return on their investment via reduced turnover, better, faster hiring decisions, improved eNPS scores, and stronger succession planning.

Client Testimonials.

  • A smiling man wearing glasses and a navy blazer standing in front of a bookshelf with plants and decorative items.

    “Siân's expertise & strategic guidance laid the foundation for significant improvements across our organisation”

    Siân has been an invaluable partner to LCA since 2022. Initially brought in to audit our HR function, she provided insightful recommendations on team structure, HR processes, and best practices. Her expertise and strategic guidance laid the foundation for significant improvements across our organisation.

    Since then, Siân has worked closely with our new HR team, helping to roll out various initiatives and run focus groups to dive deeper into challenging people issues. She has also carried out formal 360 reviews for the senior team, providing a depth of feedback that we had never had previously. This process has been transformative, enabling us to structure tailored development plans for our key leadership team and drive their growth effectively.

    We highly recommend Siân to any organisation seeking an experienced and results-driven HR consultant. Her professionalism, insight, and dedication continue to make a lasting impact.

    Jonny Popper, CEO, LCA

  • A woman with wavy light brown hair smiling, wearing a cream-colored chunky knit turtleneck sweater and gold hoop earrings.

    "If you’re looking for someone who will challenge you with kindness, ask the hard questions with care, and hold space while you grow, Siân is the coach you want beside you"

    I found myself at a real crossroads in my career, unsure of what was next but knowing something needed to shift. Working with Siân was the turning point. She helped me not only move toward something that aligned with my happiness, but also reconnected me with my sense of purpose.

    What I appreciated most was how she balanced emotional insight with practical advice. She didn’t let me ignore the real-world steps I needed to take, from what to have in place before making a leap to the things I hadn’t even thought to consider.

    If you’re looking for someone who will challenge you with kindness, ask the hard questions with care, and hold space while you grow, Siân is the coach you want beside you.

    Siera Torontow, Managing Director GYNTKT

  • A middle-aged man with light skin, short light hair, wearing a navy blazer and white shirt, standing in an office environment.

    “Siân is a rare HR professional who is very adaptable, knowledgeable, commercial, intuitive, sensitive and highly competent.”

    I have worked with Siân for nearly 20 years and she is a rare HR professional who is very adaptable, knowledgeable, commercial, intuitive, sensitive and highly competent at reviewing and designing/implementing new HR structures, processes, systems etc.

    We worked together at Reed Exhibitions and since I started my NED/portfolio career 14 years ago Siân has been involved in nearly all the companies that I have worked with.

    She is also a lovely and fun person to work with and I could not recommend her more highly.

    Alastair Gornall, Former CEO Reed Exhibitions Ltd and now Chairman/NED to media companies

  • A man in a navy blue suit and white shirt, smiling, standing in a modern office space with teal seating and large windows in the background.

    “Working with Siân over the past 18 months has been a catalyst for my development."

    Working with Siân over the past 18 months has been a catalyst for my development. The coaching sessions provided practical strategies and actionable points to enhance my interpersonal skills and confidence. Her expertise, personalised approach, and regular support have allowed me to achieve my goals and navigate challenges in a complex environment. I highly recommend Siân to anyone looking to unlock their full potential and achieve lasting success.

    Julien Masselot, Head of General Insurance – Capital & Risk, Barnett Waddingham

  • Portrait of a middle-aged man with short gray hair, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, smiling slightly against a white background.

    "Not only did Siân make us do things right, she made sure we could do them better."

    As a Paris-based, globally active trade association with a relatively small team of employees and contractors around the world, staff management and talent development are never “ordinary”. We worked with Siân as our external HR department and were very happy with her approach and input. Not only did Siân make us do things right, she made sure we could do them better.

    Kai Hattendorf, former CEO, UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry

AEO,

UFI,

Husk Ventures,

London Communications,

MBDA,

Barnett Waddingham,

Hyundai Finance,

CIArb,

LSP,

Penta Group,

AEO, UFI, Husk Ventures, London Communications, MBDA, Barnett Waddingham, Hyundai Finance, CIArb, LSP, Penta Group,

Please get in touch.

For a confidential discussion about your talent needs please connect with us at hello@leadershipconnectsolutions.com