About People Curve

Structured, commercially aligned people thinking that drives
business performance and growth

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Strategic Clarity for SME Leaders

At People Curve Consultancy, we believe compliance is the foundation - not the finish line. SMEs don’t need more paperwork. They need clear, commercially aligned people thinking that supports real growth.

With over 35 years of HR experience and 18 years running an SME, combined with extensive corporate expertise, we understand the challenges business owners face and how to apply large-company thinking in ways that work for small and medium businesses.

Through practical workshops, we guide and challenge your thinking, bringing clarity and structure so your people strategy becomes a driver of performance and growth - not a burden.

The Team

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Jill Bottomley FCIPD

Founder and Managing Director

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Jill is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD with over 35 years’ experience - including senior corporate HR leadership and 20 years working directly with SMEs. She began her career with British Gas/Centrica before establishing The HR Dept (Trafford & Warrington) franchise, which she built, led and ultimately sold after 18 years.

During that time, she developed and led a multi-award-winning team supporting hundreds of SMEs with outsourced HR and leadership development, consistently achieving 100% client satisfaction in annual surveys.

She combines corporate strategic depth with first-hand insight into the commercial and leadership challenges that are unique to SMEs. Through People Curve Consultancy, she helps SME leaders and in-house HR professionals move beyond compliance and operational HR to deliver a deliberate, commercially aligned people strategy that strengthens long-term business performance.

Jill contributes to and influences national employment policy discussions and reform, ensuring the HR Voice of the SME is represented as legislation evolves. She also serves on the boards of a Multi-Academy Trust and a College Group, supporting collaboration across education, skills and business.

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Steve Bottomley

Strategic Adviser

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Steve brings 40 years of experience in senior business and leadership roles at AstraZeneca and Centrica, operating across HR, Research & Development, Commercial, Finance, and IT in complex, highly regulated environments.

He has led global change, business performance and strategic planning initiatives, working closely with senior leadership teams to drive improvement, clarity and measurable results.

As Strategic Adviser to People Curve Consultancy, Steve brings broad business and performance expertise, contributing a commercial perspective and strategic insight.

Our Purpose

To create a level playing field for SMEs by embedding strategic people thinking at the heart of business and championing the HR Voice of the SME.

When people decisions are deliberate and aligned to commercial priorities, engagement increases, productivity improves and business performance becomes sustainable.

SMEs operate under the same employment laws and compete for the same talent as larger organisations. They deserve access to the same depth of strategic people thinking - and a voice in shaping the national policy that affects them.

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Step Back. Think Strategically. Move Forward.

Our workshops combine strategic reflection with evolving employment insight and practical tools, enabling businesses to move beyond reactive, ad-hoc HR practices and build a deliberate, commercially aligned people strategy.