I’d say to anyone who wants to join the network in Australia to absolutely go for it. It’s a challenge but an incredibly exciting one."
Pia Engstrom – The HR Dept Western Suburbs, Perth
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About us

At The HR Dept we know that many people dream of running their own HR business. However, they don’t know where to start with setting up and growing a profitable business. Since our foundation in the UK in 2002, we have helped HR professionals achieve their dreams and take full advantage of being their own boss. We have provided them with the resources, training and support to make it happen.

You want to enjoy what you do while living your chosen lifestyle. And that’s why we support you in your venture every step of the way. So, you can reap the rewards that business ownership brings.

We took the decision to offer franchise opportunities in the UK because we recognised two problems;

Firstly, many HR professionals had the HR skills, but were unsure whether they had the business and marketing capabilities essential to the launch of a successful business. This meant that many very talented HR professionals had been held back from realising their dream.

Secondly, SMEs need high quality, local and personal HR support to help them realise their business dreams. Not many SMEs can afford the luxury or actually require a full time HR presence. Nevertheless, employers still need to understand and comply with ever-changing employment legislation and with our ability to provide a unique and market leading employment liability insurance covering fair work investigations, legal expenses and settlements, they get true peace of mind.

Building on 20 years of success in the UK, The HR Dept launched in Australia in 2017. Pia Engstrom became the first HR Dept franchisee in Australia opening her HR Dept business in Perth. She then became a Director and Board Member in 2018. Two years later in October 2020 saw Pia take over as a co-owner with Darren Brandli and the company is now 100% Australian owned. We are the first and only outsourced franchised HR provider in Australia.

We currently have 10 franchisees in 4 different States but the HR Dept franchise has opportunities in every State and Territory. We understand the value of a reward-focused working life, and want you to share the same success and freedom.

Your next challenge is just around the corner. Are YOU ready?

Meet the team

Central Office

Central Office
Your Support Function

      We have a dedicated central office team, who are there to support our franchisees from the initial set up and ongoing running of their business. The HR Dept is a family business at heart and our support team have been chosen for their specific areas of expertise, including business development, operational, legal, finance and marketing.
      Pia Engstrom – B.Bus (HRM & Mgt) (CAHRI)

      Pia Engstrom – B.Bus (HRM & Mgt) (CAHRI)
      Owner & Managing Director - HR Dept Australia

          Pia was the first franchisee in Australia for the HR Dept and a minority shareholder in HR Dept Australia. Pia has been running her HR Dept business in Perth WA since March 2017 and was also the HR Professional Lead until April 2019. From December 2017 to September 2018 she was also the Franchise Development Manager for the Franchisor.  Pia became a Director to HR Dept Australia and a Board Member in March 2018 and in October 2020 Pia took over as the co-owner with Darren Brandli of the HR Dept Australia. Pia has over 25 years’ HR experience in the areas of HR, IR Management and Consulting in both Australia and the UK. She holds a Bachelor of Business degree with a double major in Human Resources & Management from Edith Cowan University. Pia has worked at a senior management level gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in recruitment, employee relations, performance management, change management, acquisitions and mergers, HR policy and procedure writing. Pia is a CAHRI member of AHRI and a committee member for WA for Women in Franchising (WIF).
          Darren Brandli

          Darren Brandli
          Director

              Darren has been a Director to HR Dept Australia and board member since March 2018. In October 2020 Darren became the co-owner of the HR Dept Australia. Darren brings with him a wealth of experience in continuous improvement via Lean and 6 Sigma certification, corporate reporting and regulatory governance. He has worked for a global mining company for the past 11 years and is responsible for the engagement of multiple internal and external stakeholder groups to ensure a high standard of business practices are delivered. His expertise in developing and maintaining quality assurance/quality control systems is coupled with a Cert IV in Training and Assessment to ensure workplace knowledge is specific to the business needs and up to date. Darren has chaired multiple internal steering committees and acts as the company liaison officer to the Department of Health to ensure license requirements are met. Prior to his current role Darren worked in the television industry in both Australia and the UK and holds a diploma in Sound Engineering.
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              Meet our experts

              Carole-Anne Priest

              Carole-Anne Priest
              Imalia

                  Carole-Anne is an inspiring lawyer, director, CEO, entrepreneur and innovator and we love working with her! Carole-Ann and her team at Imalia runs the Employers’ Indemnity Insurance product for our customer base and supports our franchisees with all their business insurances. As Director and founding partner of Imalia, Carole-Anne is creating innovative financial services’ products that empower women to take control of their financial future. After studying law at the University of Sydney, she worked for a time for the Director of Public Prosecutions and also as a lawyer in London. Carole-Anne got her big corporate break, becoming president and chief operating officer of Swire Blanch Australia and Asia, a US publicly listed insurance and reinsurance intermediary. During her tenure, it became one of the first brokers to obtain licenses in China and Vietnam. On returning to Australia she led a dedicated team to rebuild Altiora Insurance Solutions, a retail broker and underwriting agency facing a number of challenges. In 2007, Carole-Anne won the Hudson Private and Corporate Award and the Telstra NSW Business Woman of the Year Award.
                  Alison Baker – Hall And Wilcox

                  Alison Baker – Hall And Wilcox
                  Employment Law Experts

                      Hall & Wilcox provide our employment law expertise to The HR Dept network. This includes preparing the legal HR documents for you to use with your customers, and keeping them up-to-date. They also support the insured retained service and supply monthly employment law updates and regular employment legislation training opportunities. Hall & Wilcox’s leading employment law team offers expertise across all areas of employment and industrial relations law. They are also experienced litigators and advocates, representing and appearing for clients in all types of employment-related litigation, including: in the Fair Work Commission, anti-discrimination tribunals and the courts. HR Dept franchisees can be sure that their documentation is up-to-date and legal. And they can be confident they are getting the best advice and professional development from a firm that shares our values.
                      Sandra Tricoli

                      Sandra Tricoli
                      Marketing

                          Sandra Tricoli understands communication in today’s tech-savvy world is a powerful yet often underutilised tool. An experienced Public Relations, Marketing, and Events transformative specialist, Sandra is the Owner and Director of Perth’s premier boutique agency Savvy Creations PR, and affiliated content consultancy Perth Copywriting. For over a decade the passionate communications strategist’s exemplary leadership and interpersonal skills have seen her consult over 2,000 businesses, and amass a local, national, and global clientele spanning dozens of diverse industries. The respected business advisor and thought leader holds a BA in Journalism and Public Relations. She leverages traditional methodology with digital marketing acumen and modern communications strategies (including consumer profiling) to deliver innovative transformations. Ambitious yet empathetic, corporate yet creative, Sandra sees the business of expert brand awareness and consumer engagement as both a science, and an art.
                          Karen Dunne-Squire

                          Karen Dunne-Squire
                          Sales Coach

                              Karen is one of the UKs leading business growth coaches, an award-winning multiple entrepreneur and international Keynote speaker. She is also the innovator of the award-winning Growth Framework - the UKs most effective business growth tool - a tool that drives business success. The Growth Framework is the only tool of its kind in the UK and is widely recognised as the most effective sales improvement theory. Karen is passionate about delivering unique content that resolve problems that other approaches fail to solve. With over 20 years of experience in business leadership and a proven track record in delivering strategic plans, Karen's passion is making businesses work by delivering on performance. As a speaker and facilitator Karen is sought after for her engaging style and unique content. Karen has worked with HR Dept UK since 2013 supporting them to create powerful business leaders across the network. Whether it’s mindset or skillset.
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