About Us

Exceptional consultants. Genuine people. Uncompromising standards.

We build the people engine behind high-performing UK businesses, the strategy, structure, leadership and culture that turn ambition into sustained performance.

OUR STORY

From specialist HR firm to boutique global consultancy

The business was founded on a simple belief that businesses deserve more than off-the-shelf advice. We saw a gap in the market for real, practical solutions that drive results, not just reports that sit on a shelf. We set out to create a business built on integrity, expertise, and impact, and to raise the standard of what true consultancy should be.

With decades of experience across People, Finance, and Leadership, we knew we could deliver something different: hands-on, high-calibre consultancy that blends commercial insight with genuine partnership.

Today, Signature Associates supports SMEs and enterprises globally, helping leaders strengthen their people strategies and financial foundations. From our UK practice in Guildford, we serve businesses across the UK, with our wider associate network spanning Ireland, Europe, the GCC, Australia and South Africa.

Maria Lawless, Managing Director and Founder of Signature Associates
“We are more than fractional consultants, we are your partners in growth. From preventing employee challenges to establishing strong HR foundations and empowering your team, we are here to support your journey. Together, we will help your business thrive with confidence.”
Maria Lawless, Managing Director and Founder
WHAT MATTERS TO US

Trusted partnerships, not transactions

01

Curiosity with intent

We ask the right questions and explore deeply to understand the root, not just the symptom.

02

Clarity in complexity

Whether organisational, cultural or financial, we distil complexity into clear, practical steps.

03

Integrated thinking

Across people, finance, leadership and strategy: consulting that connects every part of the business.

04

Guidance that elevates

We do not just deliver recommendations. We help leaders adopt new ways of thinking and leading.

MEET SOME OF OUR TEAM

Our strength lies in the expertise of our people

Maria Lawless
Managing Director and Founder

Maria Lawless

A dynamic HR Director and consultant with 25+ years' experience designing practical people strategies that strengthen leadership and elevate performance across retail, construction, engineering, facilities management and technology. Maria leads the UK practice and serves as Managing Partner for the Signature Associates group.

Pieter Jansen
Finance Director

Pieter Jansen

A Finance Director and Strategy Specialist with over two decades of experience across industries including manufacturing, FMCG, construction, and agricultural technology. Pieter is passionate about transforming Finance teams into integral business partners, dispelling the perception that Finance acts as a “blocker” and instead promoting it as an enabler of sustainable, long-term profitability.

Fiona Dendy
Finance Director

Fiona Dendy

A commercially focused Finance Director and ACA Chartered Accountant with 20+ years' experience in international, manufacturing-led and consumer goods businesses. Fiona provides board-level strategic oversight with deep expertise spanning private equity, M&A, debt funding and financial governance, and a track record of 100+ mid-market transactions as Corporate Finance Director at BDO.

Nicola Falconer
HR and Payroll Supervisor

Nicola Falconer

An experienced HR practitioner with deep expertise in day-to-day employee relations, payroll management, compliance and operational HR support. Nicola ensures our retained HR clients receive responsive, practical support across the full employee lifecycle.

Nabeelah Bedford
HR Coordinator

Nabeelah Bedford

A driven and ethically grounded HR Coordinator specialising in aligning business strategy with robust, compliant and commercially focused HR practices. She works closely with leadership teams to ensure people processes support operational efficiency while upholding the highest professional and regulatory standards.

Chloe Ebbs
HR Coordinator

Chloe Ebbs

Chloe is a highly capable HR Coordinator with over seven years’ experience supporting senior leadership within regulated, high-pressure environments. Currently completing her BA (Hons) in Business Management at Plymouth University, she combines strong academic insight with hands-on operational expertise.

Mandy Samra
Operations Assistant

Mandi Samra

Provides essential operational support across client engagements, helping deliver onboarding, policy administration, document management and day-to-day queries with efficiency and care.

MEET OUR PARTNERS

Trusted associates who extend our expertise

Tosh Polpitiye
Chief Executive Officer, Astute Law

Tosh Polpitiye

With over two and a half decades of legal expertise and practical experience, Tosh is the Chief Executive Officer of Astute Law, a firm that specialises in resolving workplace problems for businesses and individuals. As a qualified employment law solicitor, he has helped clients across all industries and levels, from admin to CEOs, achieve their desired workplace objectives.

Eileen Ireland
GDPR Trainer & Consultant

Eileen Ireland

With a career spanning the legal and insurance fields, Eileen makes it her mission to take the fear out of GDPR. She offers a step-by-step guidance programme and full audit reviews covering policies, procedures, everyday practices and staff training. Her no-nonsense, friendly approach ensures no question is considered silly, only new skills waiting to be uncovered.

WHY CHOOSE US

Four reasons organisations choose Signature

01

Exceptional leadership consultants

Every consultant has real, senior-level experience and the capability to deliver clarity, direction and meaningful improvement.

02

Cross-functional expertise

We integrate your business functions to give a 360-degree strategic view that strengthens both people and performance.

03

Boutique service, global reach

The depth of a global consultancy delivered with the agility and personal attention of a specialist firm.

04

Practical solutions, no jargon

We make the complex simple so leaders can implement sustainable improvements with confidence and speed.

OUR WORK

Projects that deliver real impact

Restructuring and change management project
HR Transformation

Restructuring & Change Management

A PE-backed manufacturing business restructured post-acquisition with a new operating model, reducing overhead by 15%.

Read more →
Financial strategy and governance project
Fractional CFO

Financial Strategy & Governance

A scaling technology business secured £8M Series A funding with fractional CFO support and financial governance.

Read more →
Leadership programme design project
Talent Management

Leadership Programme Design

A 250-person professional services firm built leadership capability across three tiers with a 12-month accredited ILM programme.

Read more →
VIDEO INSIGHT

Stepping Away: CEOs and Control with Maria Lawless

Maria Lawless discusses the challenges founders and CEOs face when letting go of control, and how the right leadership structure enables growth without losing what made the business successful.

The right leadership changes everything.

A free 30-minute discovery call, no obligation, just clarity on how we can help.

Book a Discovery Call