A Basingstoke company has made an acquisition that has created one of the largest independent people management and learning and development consultancies in the UK.

Reality HR, based in Lutyens Close, announced that it has acquired HR Initiatives.

The acquisition comes as the consultancy celebrates 20 years of growth.

Thanks to the acquisition, its combined client base will have access to an expanded team of experienced HR consultants.

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Sally-Ann Hall-Jones, CEO of Reality HR, with Emma Williams, MD at HR Initiatives (Image: Reality HR) The two businesses serve around 280 clients with a 30-strong team, including 22 CIPD-qualified HR professionals.

Reality HR was established in 2004, while HR Initiatives was founded in 2003.

Sally-Ann Hall-Jones, CEO of Reality HR, said: "I am immensely proud to be taking this leap forward for Reality HR.

"Our business has consistently grown in the two successful decades since it was founded in 2004, and for some time we have been looking to complement this growth with an opportunity to expand through acquisition.

"As a consultancy with people at the heart of everything we do, it was important to find a business that was a good cultural fit and shared our ethos of partnering strategically with businesses to help them succeed and grow."

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Laura Davis, chair of Reality HR, added: "HR Initiatives has a team of experts which sits perfectly alongside ours, with a shared commitment to developing long-lasting, close partnerships with clients.

"Our combined consultancies now offer both sets of clients an even wider pool of experience and expertise to support business owners and managers in getting the best out of their people, overcoming HR challenges and growing their businesses."

The team from HR Initiatives, mainly based around Hertfordshire, will continue working with their existing clients across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and London.

Emma Williams, managing director at HR Initiatives, will remain with the company to ensure a smooth transition for the team and clients.

She said: "Just like us, the team at Reality HR are committed to helping businesses achieve their potential by putting people at the centre of their success.

"I am delighted that our exceptional people will be joining Sally-Ann and her team, and I know they are looking forward to playing an integral part in the future growth of Reality HR, HR Initiatives and the businesses we partner with."