meet the team
Nicola Smith
Chartered MCIPD
HR Consultant & Director
I'm Nicola Smith, an HR professional with experience helping businesses thrive. I’ve worked in all sorts of industries—telecommunications, manufacturing, finance, hospitality, health and social care, and charity - both as a standalone HR expert and as a consultant.
With my background in Business Management and being CIPD qualified, I’m well-equipped to tackle the HR challenges you face. Plus, I’ve got professional indemnity insurance and I'm a proud Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
At NCS HR Solutions, my goal is to bring you tailored HR solutions that really fit your business needs. I focus on professionalism and expertise while keeping things friendly and approachable, so you can count on me as a trusted partner in optimising your HR strategies and creating sustainable growth.
With NCS HR Solutions, you’ll find a commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovative HR services that truly value your business.
Louise Wright
HR Consultant
Hi, I’m Louise and I’m an experienced HR professional with a strong background in supporting operational and manufacturing led businesses. I spent several years at Airbus, supporting both Commercial and Defence & Space divisions across the UK and Europe, which gave me a real understanding of fast paced, hands on environments.
I take a pragmatic and commercially aware approach to HR, delivering practical solutions that align people strategy with business objectives. I have extensive experience advising on employee relations and complex case management, trade union engagement, performance and absence management, workforce planning, organisational development, policy compliance and change.
I’m professional, calm and solutions-focused, building trusted relationships quickly and working collaboratively with managers to resolve issues fairly and effectively. I’m passionate about helping SMEs strengthen their people foundations so they can scale sustainably and operate with confidence.
Steph Underwood
HR & Recruitment Administrator
Hi, I'm Steph and I bring over 10 years of experience as an HR administrator, providing essential support to both SME's and HR Consultant's as they navigate their people-related challenges.
I genuinely enjoy working with clients at every level of their business. Whether it’s a small start-up or a large corporate team, I find satisfaction in understanding their unique needs and helping them overcome obstacles with tailored HR solutions.
With a solid background in recruitment, I’ve played a key role in assisting HR teams and independent consultants in enhancing their hiring processes. One of my strengths is attracting high-quality candidates by boosting employer brands and ensuring efficiency throughout the recruitment journey.
I find it so rewarding to see clients grow and thrive, knowing I’ve contributed to their success.
Why we love what we do... ❤️
"The spirit of HR professionals is always about improvement and finding ways to make things better, whether that is through training, mediation, recruiting the right talent, developing effective benefit plans, exploring new HR technology or making HR processes more efficient. There is a constant focus on raising the bar and taking people, teams and processes to the next level.
It goes without saying, but I genuinely love helping others, and working in HR provides so many meaningful opportunities to do exactly that, from supporting managers through difficult conversations and mediation, to delivering practical training that helps people and businesses thrive."
Nicola Smith
“The heart of HR, for me, is about creating clarity and confidence in fast-moving environments. It’s about finding practical ways to make things work better, whether that’s strengthening leadership capability, resolving complex employee relations matters, supporting change, or improving processes that add real value. I’m passionate about partnering with managers to navigate people challenges calmly and commercially.”
Louise Wright
"I really enjoy seeing businesses succeed, while supporting business owners and managers through those inevitable “want to pull my hair out” moments. No two days are ever the same, and I love being able to take things off their desk, easing the pressure and giving them space to focus on what matters most. From drafting employee onboarding schedules to supporting with employee engagement surveys, it is rewarding to be part of their journey."
Steph Underwood