Kora HR, formerly Highfield HR, has grown from three to eight specialists with Business Wales AGP backing, and now supports 150 employers and 6,500 workers across Wales.
A Bridgend-based HR consultancy has more than doubled its turnover in three years and is forecasting a further doubling within two, as it rebrands and sets its sights on national expansion. Kora HR, formerly Highfield HR, was co-founded by directors Jayne Symons and Leanne Yau and has grown from a three-person team to a specialist consultancy of eight since 2023.
The business has posted year-on-year growth in every period and is forecasting a further increase of more than 64% in the current financial year, with ambitions to double again by the year ending April 2028. It plans to pursue this growth through new contracts, service expansion and acquisitions.
Kora HR supports around 150 businesses each month, covering a combined workforce of approximately 6,500 employees across sectors including manufacturing, hospitality, care, construction and professional services. The company has been supported by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), which provides targeted support for ambitious, growing firms. AGP has worked with the business on strategic planning and the development of its new brand identity.
The rebrand to Kora HR reflects how the business has evolved. What began as a traditional outsourced HR service has developed into a commercially focused consultancy, with a new range of subscription-based support packages designed to make expert guidance accessible and easy to budget for, particularly for SMEs. Clients pay a clear monthly fee with no long-term contracts and are supported by a team rather than a single advisor.
Jayne Symons, Director of Kora HR, said:
“We’ve built this business through a clear understanding of what employers actually need, which is practical, commercially grounded HR support that helps them manage risk and grow with confidence. The growth we’ve achieved reflects genuine demand for that kind of expert, accessible help.
“Businesses are facing real pressure right now, from employment law changes, rising costs and growing expectations from their people. They need HR support that moves at the speed they do, and that’s exactly what Kora HR is built to deliver.
“The support we’ve received through the Accelerated Growth Programme has been hugely valuable in helping us think strategically about where we’re going. From sharpening our strategy to developing our new brand, AGP has helped us get clearer about our ambition and how we pursue it.”
Leanne Yau, Chartered CIPD Professional and Director of Kora HR, added:
“Our new brand reflects the business we’ve become and our ambition for the future. We’ve expanded our team, broadened our services and developed solutions that make managing people simpler and more effective for employers of all sizes.
“We’re proud to support around 150 businesses every month, helping employers across thousands of workplaces handle everything from day-to-day HR queries to complex employment matters. That depth of experience puts us in a strong position as we scale.”
Lucy Jones, Operations Manager of the Accelerated Growth Programme, said:
“Kora HR represents exactly the kind of business the Accelerated Growth Programme was designed to support; ambitious, commercially sharp, and absolutely clear about where it wants to go. Jayne and Leanne have built something genuinely impressive and the way they’ve invested in their team, their strategy and now their brand shows a business that thinks seriously about the long term. We’re proud to have played a part in that journey, and we look forward to what comes next.”
