Essex-based Impact HR Consulting Limited has completed an HR acquisition with the purchase of Milton Keynes-based HR and payroll systems specialist Tugela People, strengthening its national capabilities while retaining a strong local presence.
The deal brings together Impact HR’s national HR consultancy, compliance and people advisory services with Tugela People’s expertise in HR and payroll technology implementation and optimisation. As a result, SMEs and HR leaders are offered a more joined-up service spanning strategy, systems and people management.
Founded in Milton Keynes in 2013, Tugela People has grown into a £2 million turnover business delivering cloud-based HR and payroll systems to organisations across the UK. The company will continue to operate under its existing brand, with all employees remaining in their current roles.
Under the agreement, Tugela People founder and CEO Thomas Schilling will remain with the business as strategic advisor. Impact HR Group CEO Greg Guilford will assume the role of CEO at Tugela People, overseeing closer integration between consultancy and technology services.
Greg said the acquisition was built on a long-standing professional relationship and shared client focus. He said: “I’ve known Thomas for a number of years and it became clear that our businesses serve a similar audience and could genuinely strengthen each other. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter focused on investment, innovation and long-term growth while continuing to deliver the trusted, practical support our clients rely on.”
He added that Tugela People’s specialist expertise accelerates Impact HR’s wider ambitions. “Tugela People has built an outstanding reputation for HR systems expertise and client delivery. This acquisition helps us build a true end-to-end HR ecosystem for SMEs and HR leaders, covering strategy, systems, compliance and people development,” Greg said.
Impact HR has been expanding nationally following a recent rebrand. Originally founded in 2018 as Kingswood Group, the business adopted the Impact HR name in October after completing acquisitions in Essex, Leeds and Leicester. It now operates across the UK, supporting SMEs with HR strategy, complex employee relations, organisational change, training and fully outsourced HR support.
For Milton Keynes, the acquisition reinforces the town’s position as a hub for HR technology and professional services. Tugela People’s continued local operation ensures clients retain access to the same experienced team, while benefiting from additional scale and investment.
Thomas said joining the Impact HR group creates new growth opportunities without compromising the company’s values. He said: “Tugela People will retain its well-established brand and our clients will continue to work with the same trusted, experienced team. By joining Impact HR, we are combining specialist HR technology capability with national consultancy and compliance strength.”
He added that the partnership allows clients to better align systems with business goals. “Together, we can help organisations properly connect strategy, systems and people, creating a fully integrated HR experience that drives performance and engagement,” Thomas said.
Impact HR now operates nationally with offices in Essex, Leicester, Leeds and London, serving SMEs across multiple sectors.
