At Origin, we believe that people are the foundation of every successful business. As seasoned HR professionals, we bring decades of expertise, strategic insight and a pragmatic approach to help organisation’s navigate workforce challenges with confidence.
We understand that HR is more than policies and compliance, it’s about fostering growth, enhancing performance and balancing risk with opportunity. Whether you’re facing complex employee relations issues, seeking to strengthen your workforce strategy or striving for operational clarity, we’re here to provide tailored, effective solutions with speed, integrity, and precision.
Our commitment to transparency, professionalism, and impact-driven results ensures that you get more than just advice—you gain a trusted partner dedicated to the success of your business and its people.
Meet our Directors…
Kay Taylor
Kay is a Fellow of the CIPD and an accomplished senior HR leader with extensive experience across education, local government, third sector, retail and policing. She specialises in designing and delivering People Strategies that drive performance, manage complexity, and foster positive organisational cultures.
With a proven track record of working alongside CEOs and senior teams, Kay brings strategic insight, practical solutions, and a collaborative approach to navigating people challenges. She is known for her ability to assess risk, lead change, and inspire high-performing teams.
Kay is also a Governor for a Multi Academy Trust supporting alternative provision education and is co-founder of Origin People and Culture, a consultancy dedicated to unlocking complex people issues with tailored, expert support.
Liz Elwell
With over 25 years of cross-sector leadership experience, Liz is a Chartered HR and Built Environment professional with a proven track record in aligning people strategies with business goals.
Her career spans sectors from construction and petrochemicals to education and manufacturing, blending commercial acumen with strategic insight and hands-on HR expertise. Most recently, she led a government-funded initiative to develop a strategic workforce planning framework for the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector—supporting SMEs in tackling succession, skills gaps, and rapid technological change.
A Chartered Member of both the CIPD and RICS, with an Masters degree in Human Resources Management, Liz is known for her pragmatic, people-first approach and passion for helping organisations unlock value through their workforce.
Origin People and Culture is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, supporting inclusive recruitment and workplace accessibility. Certified until May 2028.
“I had the pleasure of working closely with Kay Taylor, Group Director of HR and People Development, for over five years during my time as Executive Principal of Stockton Riverside College and Bede Sixth Form. I also worked with Liz Elwell, then Group Head of HR, for over three years.
Kay and Liz bring a wealth of experience, integrity, and insight to their work. I found them both to be highly professional, solutions-focused, and deeply committed to doing what’s right for both the organisation and its people. Both Kay and Liz embodied honesty, fairness, and courage—qualities that made them trusted voices in navigating complex HR challenges.
Now that I’m retired, I’m pleased to offer this recommendation as they embark on their consultancy journey. Any organisation would benefit from their calm, practical approach and their ability to deliver results in challenging environments.”
“Liz brought clarity and direction to a complex and high-stakes project. Her ability to balance research and academia with practical, employer-focused outputs meant we delivered a robust strategic workforce planning framework and toolkit on time and within budget. The final product not only meets our charitable objectives but also offers real commercial potential. Liz’s project management, insight, and collaborative style made her an invaluable partner throughout. On a personal note, Liz was a pleasure to work with, her communication at all levels was clear and concise and she forged great working relationship with peers and stakeholders alike – I would have no hesitation in recommending Liz”
“Liz brought clarity and structure at a critical stage in our journey. From developing our people systems and talent pool to shaping our workforce plans and organisational goals, her support has been invaluable. Pragmatic and strategic, with strong commercial insight and acumen, she played a critical role in aligning our people strategy with our business goals.”
‘‘Honest, fair and courageous encapsulate Kay’s integrity and her ability to offer clear solutions to complex HR problems large organisations like ours faced. Not afraid to roll her sleeves up and do what is best for the organisation and its people.’’