Employment law and HR firm expands team and aims for £1m turnover after Boost support

A fast-growing Accrington HR and employment law firm is expanding into new markets across the UK since receiving funded business growth support from Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.

NORI HR & Employment Law, a family firm supporting businesses of all sizes in managing employment law and HR responsibilities, joined Boost’s Growth Mentoring programme to help with its branding and growth plans. Owners Jason and Amrita Govindji-Bruce set up the business having both previously worked in HR-related roles in major firms in the UK. NORI HR provides HR consultancy services, on-site support and HR management software as well as CPD certified workshops on employment-related topics.

Jason, who first heard about Boost support through a BNI networking event, said: “We recognised that we were new to business management and have always been willing to listen to people with experience. We have our own views and vision, but we fully endorse the opportunity to learn from others. “The mentoring support was fully funded, and we could see the passion its advisors showed when talking about the Boost programme and how it supports SMEs.” Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership). It is supported by funding from Lancashire County Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The Growth Mentoring Programme is a fully funded programme where the business is matched with a successful businessperson who’ll provide support to tackle the challenges business leaders are facing in managing and growing their business. Amrita and Jason were matched with Boost growth mentor David Eccles, a specialist in business planning and strategy.

David supported them by taking an overview of their business setup, the firm’s products and services and its branding. Through David’s mentoring, NORI HR gained valuable insight into its branding and product portfolio offerings. They reassessed pricing and their scaleup options based on the opportunity of new clients versus resources. Jason added: “The Growth Mentoring programme gave us the confidence to invest in a focussed approach and find the right people and team to support us in the right disciplines.” NORI HR was on track to hit all its growth targets, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The firm had to then re-evaluate how to conduct business, meet expectations and manage its financial spend. It opened its advice lines to all businesses, providing free advice whether it was related to the COVID-19 pandemic or not.

During the pandemic, NORI HR also utilised the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Propel Programme and received support from a business coach, as well as the joining the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Peer Networks programme. Due to the continued growth of its client base, NORI HR has since recruited several managers and two senior HR advisors, plus a marketing apprentice who has now taken on full-time marketing role. The firm has also supported over 40 Kickstart young people. The six-month programme, created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, aims to reduce the risk of long-term unemployment for young people by providing experience within the workplace to help them move into sustained employment. Overall, since receiving Boost Growth Mentoring support NORI HR has grown from just its two business owners to eight members of staff plus the Kickstarter trainees as well as two statutory directors.

NORI HR is now working with companies across the country, across a wide range of sectors ranging from 2 to 2,000 employees and has ambitious growth plans to grow as a profitable and sustainable business with an £1m+ turnover within five years. Jason said: “We love what we do, and we love engaging with people. It is not only a job, but a vocation and we hope that everyone who engages with NORI HR has a good feeling about us and the service they receive.” 

Pictured above left to right : Lisa Struthers, operations director; Amrita Govindji-Bruce, managing director; Jason Amrita Govindji-Bruce, managing director; Lizzie Knowles, senior HR advisor; Richard Singleton, marketing director and Cindy Singleton, office manager. 

 Boost’s Growth Mentoring programme is designed for Lancashire-based ambitious individuals and SME* businesses more than three years old. As the programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund some sector restrictions apply. If you want to speak to a someone from the Growth Hub about business support, contact Boost online or call 0800 488 0057.

*SME – Small to Medium Enterprises must employ fewer than 250 full-time people with a turnover of less than €50m or balance sheet of €43m.