The HR Dept licenses Aussie operation to WA franchisee

The HR Dept licenses Aussie operation to Pia Engstrom
The HR Dept licenses Aussie operation to Pia Engstrom

UK-based The HR Dept has licensed its Australian operation to HR Franchise Group Pty Ltd trading as HR Dept Australia.

Pia Engstrom takes on the role of managing director and will head up an in-country head office team. The previous set-up had been a joint venture between Engstrom and the UK.

Engstrom told Inside Franchise Business Executive “Now that the HR Dept is wholly owned and operated in Australia, we can drive growth by harnessing our local expertise together with a renewed sales strategy.

“We will be looking to raise the brand profile nationally to encourage new franchisees as well as supporting existing franchisees with their growth strategies. We are looking at recruiting at least another five franchisees in the next 12 months.”

In 2017 Engstrom launched the first The HR Dept franchise in Australia, setting up her Western Suburbs Perth business from home in West Leederville.

The HR Dept story began in 2002, when founder and executive director Sue Tumelty identified a gap in the market to offer personalised expert HR advice to local businesses in the UK.

The company has grown across three countries: the UK, Ireland and Australia.

In Australia there are now 11 HR Dept franchises across Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.