30.04.2025

Interim HR support is a more flexible way for SMEs to access top-tier HR expertise without the overheads of a full-time hire. Many SMEs have scaled back internal HR teams since the pandemic due to budget constraints and an increased reliance on digital solutions. But HR still plays a vital role – from managing culture and policies to handling sensitive employee issues and driving strategic change.

Many SMEs have scaled back internal HR teams since the pandemic due to budget constraints and an increased reliance on digital solutions. But HR still plays a vital role – from managing culture and policies to handling sensitive employee issues and driving strategic change.

Interim HR services – increasingly referred to as ‘fractional HR’ – can be a cost-effective way to bridge the gap. They let SMEs access seasoned professionals who can hit the ground running on a part-time or project basis for as long as you need them.

What are fractional and interim HR services?

Fractional and interim HR professionals provide expertise on a short-term and part-time basis, allowing highly skilled and experienced operators to be brought in at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. They are typically hired as temporary or short-term support for specific challenges or projects.

Interim HR roles can complement your HR team by providing flexible, cost-effective and highly skilled support. They are a popular model for high-growth businesses like SMEs because resources can be easily scaled up or down in response to specific needs.

Overwhelmed or under-resourced? You’re not alone

Many SMEs operate with one over-stretched HR professional, or sometimes none at all. When that happens, critical HR tasks fall to senior managers with limited expertise, exposing the business to compliance risks and lost productivity.

Whether you're navigating complex employment law, handling employee relations, or building a people strategy from scratch, interim HR specialists are available to help.

Benefits of flexible HR support

To help meet these challenges, many SMEs are using fractional and interim HR resources to resolve issues without the cost of a full-time salary and other overheads.

Some of the benefits include:

  • It’s cost-effective: You pay only for the time and expertise you need
  • Expertise on demand: Your team gets access to senior-level knowledge without long-term commitments
  • Project support: Expert help with recruitment campaigns, policy updates and employee engagement strategies
  • Compliance confidence: Teams on the front line can help you stay on top of evolving employment legislation
  • Strategic input: Getting help frees up your internal team to focus on long-term growth.

How fractional and interim HR support existing HR teams

As your organisation expands and grows, it will need extra resources for its busiest times.

You may find it beneficial to hire an interim HR professional to shift administrative tasks off your plate. They can also help you break down complex problems or help you develop your strategic HR plans.

Interim HR as a stepping stone for growing businesses

If your business is not quite ready to commit to a full-time HR leader, bringing in an interim HR role is the perfect stepping stone. It will let you gain strategic input now, with the option to scale up as your business grows.

How interim HR helped coffee machine maker Cimbali

The UK head office of coffee machine manufacturer Cimbali approached Make UK for help when their in-house HR manager left.

Make UK senior HR consultant Jackie Painter joined Cimbali in an interim HR role and set about installing a new HR system. She also put together a full suite of policies, created an employee handbook, established templates for standardised letters, set up a recruitment system, and implemented HR reporting and case management processes.

 

Engaging the Make UK HR consultancy team has been invaluable. They have consistently delivered outstanding support at strategic, tactical, and operational levels.

Their support has extended beyond day-to-day operations, including the delivery of a high-impact leadership programme and a responsive helpline service that’s been a trusted resource for our team.

What sets Make UK apart is their focus on developing both the emotional and operational intelligence required for a modern, successful business. Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in helping us navigate complex HR challenges with confidence.
Nick Roberts
Operations Director, Cimbali

Choosing the right HR support

With their subtly different benefits, SMEs need to consider whether hiring a permanent or an interim HR professional better meets their business needs.

Consider your budget, the duration of the role, the level of authority required, and the cultural fit with the organisation.

Once hired, HR should integrate into the team through open communication and collaboration.

Whether you need ongoing support, temporary expertise, or project-based help, Make UK’s HR professionals deliver results tailored to your business. We’ll match you with the right resource, someone who understands your culture, priorities, and growth ambitions.

For more information, call our team on 0808 168 5874 or email [email protected]