Here at hoomph, people are at the heart of everything we do, so welcoming a new senior people partner is a very big deal. And that’s why we can’t wait for you to meet Liam Hynes, a passionate HR professional with a knack for breaking down barriers, championing diversity, and making work a place where everyone can thrive.
Liam’s motto? ‘No stress’. Yes, he has it tattooed on his arm, which is just the sort of commitment we love. So here he is, chatting about how he got here, what he’s learned, and reminding us all why HR is way more than rules and forms.
Most important question first: how'd you like your tea?
It’s coffee for me, milky with one sugar… and about 25 of them throughout the day. I’ve tried to convert to no sugar but it’s just not happening. I’m not fussy either, cheap coffee will do me fine.
What drew you to HR, and what's kept you hooked?
I started with a legal apprenticeship (I thought it would be really fancy working in law), then worked at a couple of firms over the years. But it didn't really light anything in me. Then I met a HR Business Partner (HRBP) in one office – she was always in and out, on the phone, at different sites, getting involved in things – and I thought, what does she do? I wanted a radical change so, at 20 years old, I literally walked into uni and talked to the HR course head, saying: ‘Look, I don’t have the formal qualifications I need to get in, but I’m passionate and committed’. For some reason, she gave me a chance – an offer to join the course, and I’ve never looked back. I’m really grateful for her, the HRBP I worked with, and my mentor at uni, Lynn – all women in leadership who inspired and supported me.
What attracted you to hoomph?
I was made redundant in October and thought it was the world saying I needed a big change. I’ve always felt pushed and supported by women, so the fact hoomph was women-led was a huge attraction. But what really sold me on hoomph was Lisa, Sarah, Tess, and Suzie. Everyone is so fantastic, experienced, and knowledgeable – it looked like an amazing environment to be in, and it is.
What’s your favourite way to start the workday on the right foot?
Coffee. Always coffee, as cheap as you like. It’s just the best way to start your day, full stop. Me and my best mate have lived together for a long time and we always wake each other up with a coffee. Every workday is different for me – there isn’t really a set routine and I like that. But with so much variation in what my day looks like, I always check my calendar the evening before to prepare for the day ahead.
You've just had one of those days. What's your trick for shaking it off and feeling better?
You’ve got to know when you need to close the laptop and switch off, which can be really tough when you love the work you do. I’ve had this conversation with Sarah recently that, y’know, we’re in HR, not ER. Slogging your guts out and making yourself ill with stress isn’t necessary. You’re not saving lives, so sometimes you need to take a step back at 6pm and say ‘ok, I’ve done everything I can possibly do today’. Go spend time with friends, make sure you use your holidays, and have a break – even if it's taking a Monday and Friday off for a long weekend.
Are there any humans with oomph who inspire you?
I’ve got so many people around me who inspire me in different ways. My Uncle Paul once said to me: ‘You don’t want to chase money, you want to chase choice’ and I think about that a lot. He’s got a lovely business and lifestyle but he’s never chased a salary, just choice. My Nan is another huge inspiration – she’s the Mary Poppins of the family. I grew up with my grandparents and before I moved out she told me she wanted me to learn how to cook, lay a table, and make a bed. In business, my relative Emma taught me that making tough decisions isn’t easy, but it’s necessary… and showed me how to approach it the right way.
If you could banish one outdated workplace trend forever, what would it be?
Probably presenteeism (when people show up to work while sick or too unwell to function at their best) – we don’t need to value everyone being in the office over actual productivity. It’s 2025. With tech and remote work settings, I don’t understand how some workplaces still believe people need to be in the office five days a week to be productive. Flexible working is really important to different people for various reasons, and workplaces should trust people to do the work they need to do.
If you were a HR superhero, what would your name be?
I am a yapper, so I guess I’d be ‘The Super Talker’. One of my colleagues and I agree, we talk too much in the office. When we work from home, it makes us more productive. Still, I use this as a benefit because being able to talk to people is so important in HR. Some people need a bit more to open up… that’s my excuse for yapping anyway.
Every hero has a villain... who would be your nemesis?
They would be ‘Anti-HR’. There are some people who don’t see the benefit and value of HR, and just think it’s just a tick box exercise. We’re not saving lives, but it’s so important to have some kind of HR presence in a business, for the people.
How do you keep a level head during a crisis?
It’s absolutely the no-stress mindset. I could be quite a stresshead in the past, so my mate Aaron would always tell me ‘no stress’. It became this mantra, and I now have it tattooed as a constant reminder. I simply tell myself, and convince myself, not to stress. If you tell yourself something enough it becomes a thing and I truly believe that. Anything could happen, but I'm still going to be choosing not to stress in this situation. In a work situation, I also try to be as prepared as possible. As long as you’ve got all your ducks in a row, you know you’ve done everything you possibly can. Also, I tell myself not to frown because I can’t afford the botox to stop the wrinkles!
What’s your dream workplace perk?
I would love a ‘life admin assistant’. I know it sounds terrible, but, you know, someone to do all the things that eat into your personal time? The little admin-y bits. That would be amazing to give me headspace and keep me focused on work.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about people in your career?
Everyone is totally different – there’s no one size fits all. I love the different quirks that people present, trying to find solutions, and making sure everyone is supported as much as possible. One of my biggest passions is diversity in the workplace, and making sure that the teams we work with reflect the world we live in. There's nothing worse than when someone starts on day one and no one looks like them in the team or has the same kind of life experience. Ultimately, it's about having the best person for the job but also thinking: have you done everything you can to make sure you’ve given access to everyone possible? That’s really important to me.
It’s also learning to adapt and deal with people in different ways but also knowing that you’re never going to please everyone, which can sometimes be tough, because you want to. I have to be reminded sometimes that you can move heaven and earth and it still won’t satisfy that one particular person in a situation. So I do everything with the best intentions, and hope that pays off.
What are you most looking forward to this year, professionally and personally?
I’m only a month into hoomph so I want to embed myself more into the team. It’s great to start the new year with a new job and I’ve never been a consultant before, so this is a different way of working. I want to learn more, share knowledge, get more clients, and more business. I’m all about diversity, progression and opportunities for everyone. I spoke at the CIPD conference last November and my biggest point was ‘don’t let anyone ever tell you no’. I’ve been told many times that I wouldn't get to this point – I graduated a relatively short time ago and I’ve already been head of people and now senior people partner. That’s because I’m good at my job and I’m passionate about what I do. You can achieve what you want to, as long as you have the right people who give you the opportunity to get there. Personally, I’ve got Glastonbury and Primavera festival this year -– I’m a big music fan so I’m especially looking forward to summer. I also want to do more travelling and see more of the world.