About

About Jess

Founder, Company Director and all-round juggler

Hi, I’m Jess, Founder and Director of Peak Performance HR.

Long before Peak Performance HR existed, I was drawn to performance, people and storytelling.

I studied TV, Film and Theatre at York St John University and, looking back, one of the things I was most interested in was not just being part of the performance, but understanding how everything came together.

For my final performance, I directed Sarah Kane’s Blasted — and for anyone who knows the play, it is a challenging piece to direct.

That experience stayed with me because directing is not just about what happens on stage. It is about understanding people, building trust, seeing the bigger picture, noticing what is not being said, and helping each person perform at their best while bringing everything together with clarity and purpose.

In many ways, that is still what I do now.

Only now, instead of directing actors, I support people, leaders and teams.

I help people step back, understand what is really going on, build confidence, navigate pressure and perform in a way that feels clear, steady and sustainable.

My own career journey

When I left university, I had no roadmap whatsoever. None.

I had energy, ambition and a degree, but I did not really know where I was going or how to turn what I had studied into a sustainable career.

That experience shaped me because I know how unsettling it can feel when you're capable, motivated and willing to work hard, but still unsure what direction to take.

Not knowing what you want to do next, or how to get there, can feel frustrating, anxious and lonely. It can affect your confidence, your sense of direction and the way you see yourself.

My own career has moved through teaching, recruitment, HR, coaching and wellbeing support. Each stage taught me something different about people, confidence, communication, work and change.

I started as a TEFL teacher, supporting people to learn, communicate and grow in confidence. I loved the development side of the work, but over time I became frustrated by the limited pay, progression and long-term career options available to me.

I then moved into recruitment, where I developed valuable skills in communication, interviewing, candidate support, commercial awareness and career decision-making. Recruitment taught me a huge amount, but I also found myself wanting to support people and organisations in a deeper and more rounded way.

That led me to combine my experience in learning, development and recruitment with formal HR training, completing my CIPD Level 7 qualification in Human Resource Management.

Looking back, the thread running through my career has always been people: helping them understand themselves, communicate clearly, build confidence and move forward through change.

Peak Performance HR brings all of that experience together.

That varied career path is one of the reasons I am so passionate about helping people navigate work, change and identity with more confidence.

I know how easily capable people can underestimate themselves when their experience does not fit neatly into one box. I also know, from years working across recruitment, HR, coaching and workforce planning, that people often need more than practical advice. They need space to understand their value, make sense of their story and move forward in a way that feels clear, realistic and sustainable.

Peak Performance HR brings together the practical and human sides of work.

We help individuals find clarity and confidence during career change, job search, leadership pressure, redundancy, return to work or professional uncertainty.

We also help organisations think more clearly about people, performance, wellbeing and change — so that work can feel more sustainable, supportive and effective for everyone involved.

Why Peak Performance HR exists

Peak Performance HR was created because I know how difficult work and career change can feel when you are trying to work it all out on your own.

I understand the frustration of not knowing what you want to do next.

I understand the anxiety that can come from feeling stuck, unclear or unsure how to move forward.

I understand what it feels like to be conscientious and capable, but still question your decisions, your confidence or your direction.

And I understand how much difference the right support can make.

Peak Performance HR provides the kind of wraparound support I wish I had at different points in my own career: calm, practical and human support that helps people step back, think clearly and move forward with more confidence.

Because career change is rarely just about a CV.

Leadership pressure is rarely just about confidence.

Workplace change is rarely just about process.

And performance is rarely just about pushing harder.

People need space to think, practical guidance, emotional steadiness and support that helps them move forward without losing themselves in the process.

What we do

Peak Performance HR helps people and organisations navigate work, change and performance in a more human way.

We support individuals who are changing direction, looking for work, returning after a break, preparing for interviews, rebuilding confidence or trying to understand where they fit next.

We also support leaders, business owners and organisations with HR consultancy, workforce planning, recruitment insight, leadership coaching, outplacement support and people-centred guidance through growth, change or uncertainty.

Our work brings together:

HR expertise grounded in real organisational experience
Recruitment and career insight
Leadership and performance coaching
Wellbeing-led support for resilience and sustainability
Practical tools to help people think clearly and take action

This means we can support both the practical and personal sides of change.

For individuals, that might mean career coaching, interview support, job search guidance, confidence building or support through a professional crossroads.

For leaders and organisations, it might mean HR consultancy, workforce planning, recruitment support, outplacement coaching, people management guidance, leadership coaching or support through periods of growth, change or uncertainty.

Our approach

At Peak Performance HR, we believe people do their best work when they feel supported, not scrutinised.

Our approach is calm, practical and human.

We help people step back, make sense of what is happening and identify what needs to change. The aim is not to add more pressure, but to help people feel clearer, steadier and more able to take the next step.

Our approach is:

• Calm and grounded — reducing overwhelm rather than adding urgency
• Human and empathetic — because people challenges are rarely just about process
• Practical and experienced — informed by real HR, recruitment and coaching experience
• Holistic — supporting confidence, clarity, wellbeing and performance together
• Confidential and safe — giving people space to talk openly and think clearly

Who we work with

We support people and organisations who want high performance AND wellbeing.

Our clients are often thoughtful, values-driven and committed to doing the right thing, even when the path ahead feels unclear.

We work with:

• Professionals navigating career change or job search uncertainty
• Job seekers who want to feel more confident and prepared
• People returning to work after a career break
• Leaders and managers carrying responsibility or pressure
• Small business owners needing practical, people-centred HR support
• HR-responsible leaders looking for a trusted thinking partner
• Teams wanting to strengthen communication, confidence and wellbeing
• Organisations managing change, growth or people challenges

Based in Norfolk, Peak Performance HR works with clients across the UK, supporting individuals, leaders and teams across the private, public and charity sectors.

Our vision 

Our vision is to help people and organisations move through change with more clarity, confidence and care.

We want wellbeing to be seen as part of performance, not separate from it.

When people feel supported, steady and clear, they are better able to make decisions, navigate change, perform well and build healthier, more sustainable working lives.