This month was a proud moment for the team at CE People.
At the Breathe Partner Summit, we were honoured to be named Partner of the Year at the Breathe Partner Awards – recognition that celebrates HR consultants supporting SMEs to go beyond compliance and build stronger, more successful workplaces.
For us, this award represents something much bigger than a trophy.
It reflects the work we do every day with our clients: helping businesses simplify HR, support their people and grow with confidence.
And considering CE People has been operating for less than two years, the recognition feels particularly special.
A Big Year of Growth for CE People
Since launching, CE People has grown quickly, supporting an increasing number of small and medium-sized businesses across a wide range of industries.
Our approach has always been simple: practical HR advice, personal support and solutions that genuinely work for growing businesses.
In a relatively short time we’ve:
- Built a growing portfolio of SME clients
- Expanded our HR support team
- Delivered training, workshops and on-site HR support
- Helped businesses navigate changing employment legislation
- Supported clients through everything from day-to-day HR queries to complex people challenges
- Raised awareness and funds for our Chairity of the Year.
At the heart of much of this work is our partnership with Breathe HR.
Why Our Partnership with Breathe Matters
As HR consultants working with SMEs, we know that many businesses don’t have the time, tools or internal resources to manage HR efficiently.
That’s where the Breathe platform makes a real difference.
Breathe is a simple, powerful HR software designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses, helping organisations manage their people in a more organised and efficient way.
When combined with expert HR advice from CE People, it gives businesses the confidence and structure they need to manage their workforce effectively.
Learn more about Breathe Here.
How Breathe Supports Our Clients
Many of our clients come to us feeling overwhelmed by spreadsheets, paperwork or scattered employee records.
Introducing Breathe helps bring everything together in one secure place.
Some of the key benefits for our clients include:
Centralised employee information
All employee records, documents and key information stored securely in one place.
Holiday and absence management
Staff can request leave through the system, while managers can easily track holidays and absence across the team.
Performance and development tools
Breathe supports regular reviews, objectives and employee engagement tools such as Kudos.
Improved efficiency
Automation removes many of the time-consuming administrative tasks associated with HR.
Better compliance
Having policies, records and employee documentation organised in one place helps businesses stay compliant with employment law requirements.
For many SMEs, this shift from manual processes to a structured HR platform is transformational.
Combining HR Expertise with the Right Technology
Software alone isn’t always enough.
What makes the difference is combining the right tools with expert HR guidance.
At CE People, we work closely with our clients to:
- Implement Breathe effectively within their business
- Ensure HR processes align with employment legislation
- Train managers and teams on how to use the system
- Provide ongoing HR advice when people challenges arise
The result is a much smoother HR experience for business owners and managers.
Instead of worrying about compliance or paperwork, they can focus on growing their business and supporting their teams.
Recognition from the Breathe Community
Winning Partner of the Year was particularly meaningful because it came from the wider Breathe partner community.
The Breathe Partner Awards recognise consultants who not only use the platform successfully, but also help SMEs build stronger workplaces and unlock business growth through better people management.
For our team, that’s exactly what we set out to do when CE People was created.
Here’s some of the lovely feedback we received:
“A truly exceptional Breathe Partner who exemplifies the highest standards of ambassadorship and success. A role model within the Breathe community, combining advocacy, expertise and outstanding business performance.” – Louise Aldous-Critchley, Breathe Head of Partnerships
“CE People are such a delight to work with; their continuous drive and passion for what they do and helping their clients is so evident. I really couldn’t think of a more deserving Partner to win this award.” – Brogan Weir, Breathe Account Manager
Supporting Businesses Beyond Compliance
One of the key themes of this year’s Partner Summit was “Beyond Compliance, Unlocking Growth.”
That message strongly reflects the way we approach HR.
Yes, compliance matters – but great HR goes further than that.
It’s about:
- Creating positive workplace cultures
- Supporting managers to lead confidently
- Helping teams perform at their best
- Building businesses where people genuinely thrive
Tools like Breathe, combined with experienced HR support, make that possible.
Learn More About the Breathe Platform
If you’re interested in learning more about how Breathe can support your business, we’ve previously shared a detailed breakdown of the platform and its benefits.
Read our blog on the benefits of Breathe HR for SMEs
This article explains how the platform works and why it’s become such a valuable tool for so many growing businesses.
Thank You to Our Clients
Finally, this award wouldn’t have been possible without the businesses we work with every day.
Your trust, challenges and ambitions are what drive the work we do.
We’re incredibly proud to support your people, your teams and your growth – and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum.
Looking for HR support or interested in implementing Breathe in your business?
Get in touch with the team at CE People to find out how we can help simplify HR and support your people strategy as your business grows.
