The HR Consultancy Festival 2026 & Consulting Guest - Ambra Parisi

Podcast Show Notes Summary

Episode: Three Years into HR Consulting with Ambra Parisi

In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill catches up with Ambra Parisi, three years after Ambra launched her HR consultancy business following a 15-year corporate HR career.

Ambra shares her honest reflections on moving from an HR Director role into consultancy after redundancy in 2022. Rather than being driven purely by financial goals, Ambra explains that her decision came from a desire to return to the heart of HR: adding real value to businesses and supporting leaders with practical, people-focused solutions.

She talks openly about the first year in business being a testing period, where she had to build confidence, develop commercial skills, understand her market, and learn how to position her services beyond her technical HR expertise.

Ambra now works with small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the healthcare, dentistry and retail sectors. Her consultancy offers bespoke HR support, including compliance, operational HR, people development and practical guidance for business owners who need senior HR expertise without adding to their permanent headcount.

A key theme of the conversation is clarity. Ambra explains how she has shaped her 2026 strategy around three clear business pillars.

Sarah and Ambra also discuss the importance of word-of-mouth referrals, listening to client feedback, adapting your services, and staying committed during the early stages of consultancy when the path can feel uncertain.

This episode is a valuable listen for HR professionals considering the leap into consulting, as well as existing consultants who are refining their niche, services and business model.

Key Takeaways

Ambra’s journey shows that the first year of consultancy is often about testing, learning and building business confidence.

Technical HR expertise is important, but consultants also need commercial awareness, positioning, marketing and relationship-building skills.

Clarity around your services and ideal client base makes it easier to attract the right opportunities.

Word-of-mouth referrals remain one of the most powerful routes to new business.

A strong LinkedIn profile can help consultants showcase their credibility, services and client outcomes.

About Ambra Parisi

Ambra Parisi is an HR consultant supporting small and medium-sized businesses with practical, bespoke HR services. With a 15-year background in corporate HR, she now works with clients across sectors including healthcare, dentistry and retail, helping business owners strengthen compliance, develop their people and build more effective teams.

Connect with Ambra

You can connect with Ambra Parisi on LinkedIn.

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