Case study | People and talent

Guide Dogs for the Blind: Strategic People Partnership

Supporting one of the UK’s best-known charities through transformation, culture change and growth. 

Client overview

Business type

Charity

Locations

Employees

2,000+ global employees

Key outcomes

Benchmarked insurer charges to secure £48,000 in reduced administration fees
Achieved an additional £18,000 saving by restructuring premium payments
Introduced a sustainable risk benefit structure, reducing income protection premiums by £78,000

The challenge

Guide Dogs faced significant organisational pressure: rising costs, increasing demand for services and fierce competition for talent, all while modernising People practices in line with their mission and values.

Multiple important workstreams were underway, including recruitment, leadership development, reward strategy and governance. The internal People team had strong expertise, but needed additional capacity, independent challenge and strategic clarity to accelerate these interdependent priorities without compromise.

Rhiannon Rowley
Lead Consultant

The solution

We partnered with Guide Dogs to prioritise where to focus first, how to sequence activity and how each strand could reinforce the others. Our support combined strategic advice with practical delivery, adapting as priorities evolved.

Recruitment under pressure
We helped Guide Dogs recruit more than 140 roles - including specialist and senior positions - by providing extra capacity, data-led insights and inclusive, values-led recruitment practices. We maintained continuity and momentum through the introduction of a new ATS, drawing on our experience with the provider.
Capability building and cultural confidence
Alongside resourcing activity, we delivered leadership development, neurodiversity training and employee representative training. This strengthened confidence, simplified ways of working and improved alignment across People practices.
Strategic reward modernisation
Once immediate pressures eased, we led a two-phase review of Reward, applying our strategic framework to address legacy issues, strengthen governance, and support more commercial thinking. The team implemented key recommendations between phases, ensuring real momentum towards a modernised approach.

The results

For their business

Workforce stabilised

Over 140 critical roles filled during a major transformation, strengthening delivery and reducing reliance on agency support

Reward modernised

Legacy Reward issues addressed, with a modernised strategic model developed and progressing through governance

Better organisational alignment

People priorities brought into closer alignment with wider organisational strategy and governance.

For their people

More inclusive hiring

Consistent, values-led recruitment practices improved candidate experience and quality of hire.

Stronger leadership confidence

Leaders and managers upskilled, improving confidence in day-to-day People decision-making.

Clearer ways of working

Simpler, more transparent processes reduced friction and strengthened trust.

From hire to retire, if it affects your people, we can support you

If you’re looking for a People partner who brings focus, commercial thinking and momentum to your biggest priorities, we’d love to talk.

Whether your organisation is focused on sustainable, profit-based growth or maximising the impact of funds entrusted by donors, we can help you make confident People decisions that deliver real return.

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