Meet Hannah Porteous-Butler
Coach for working parents &
founder of The People Practice Group
Where others see a problem, Hannah sees potential.
That’s what makes The People Practice Group different.
Founder Hannah Porteous-Butler is a coach, speaker, and former senior leader who understands what it’s like to juggle ambition, burnout, and the invisible load of parenthood.
So Hannah knows from experience that supporting working parents is smart strategy, not special treatment.
She founded The People Practice Group to help organisations not only support the working parents in their teams—but actually value them.
With Hannah's help and guidance I feel I have successfully managed to enter back into the work force with a positive mindset, despite different elements of change which have been difficult.
(She) really helped me understand myself and the changes having a baby and working has.
I feel 100% confident that my career moving forward will only flourish and I can be a successful working mum and still find valuable time for my family. I would highly recommend Hannah to all!
Kate H-B, Director
The People Practice Group occupies a unique space blending consultancy, coaching, and culture change partner. It goes beyond getting the right policies on paper. It’s about putting them into practice so they make a real impact.
With 20+ years of experience in people leadership roles, Hannah understands the realities of culture change from the inside.
She’s been the one making the case for better support. She’s led teams through transition. And she’s lived the challenges of being a working parent herself — she has three children, and is special guardian to a fourth.
Hannah’s approach is underpinned by her training in coaching, neuroscience, and mental health, and grounded in the belief that policy alone isn’t enough.
She knows that if change is not embedded into the culture — if managers aren’t equipped, if stories aren’t shared, if permission isn’t felt — then it won’t land.
That’s why her approach is always holistic, practical, and human. Hannah is known for being disarmingly relatable — never preachy, always practical, and very real.
Hannah doesn’t just offer superficial support. It’s not about how it looks on paper.
The People Practice Group doesn’t do quick fixes or box-ticking.
It’s not about “making accommodations” or creating a policy because it seems like the right thing to do.
And it’s a mistake to focus on leave entitlements, policy audits or return-to-work programmes in isolation — those are only part of the story.
That’s why Hannah’s approach is holistic, human, and rooted in both lived experience and organisational strategy.
By bringing a business lens to inclusion work, this approach clearly shows how accommodating working parents isn’t just a wellbeing initiative.
It’s a talent, retention, and leadership strategy.
Hannah helps companies recognise the value that working parents bring to the table, and ensure that the realities of day-to-day working life reflect this.
OUR VALUES
THE WAY WE WORK & WHY IT MATTERS
Partnership
We meet people where they are—in life and at work.
Kindness
As the Beatles say, love is all you need! Kindness has a ripple effect — when you experience it, you feel more compassionate, confident and competent, and it will show in everything you do.
Respect
From a place of vulnerability, we help you find strength. We are all people first and foremost, with valuable lived experiences that deserve to be acknowledged and honoured.
Pragmatism
What matters most is what actually works, whether that’s small tweaks or big changes.
Humour
A sense of humour can improve your mental and physical health, even when we face important, serious issues.
Community
We know it takes a village to raise a child — and adults need this too! We believe in coming together to support each other as well as to enhance the wider global community.
Impact
Employees and initiatives should be valued on results achieved — measuring what’s meaningful, even when it challenges the status quo.
Honesty
We’re transparent and authentic, and we don’t judge. When we can trust each other, we can believe in a better future.
Flexibility
We’re open to new ways of thinking, working, and relating—because that’s how progress happens.
THE R.E.T.A.I.N. FRAMEWORK
THE R.O.I. OF AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE CULTURE
This unique framework created by The People Practice Group helps UK organisations create a family-friendly culture — where working parents feel valued, supported, and engaged.
By addressing the particular needs of working parents in the context of the company as a whole , it fosters inclusivity and trust — reducing turnover, boosting productivity, and enhancing meaningful workplace inclusion.
Hannah Porteous-Butler is an ACC Accredited Coach and is an Associate Certified Coach with an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Diploma in Transformational Coaching. She has a Certificate in Group Coaching from Animas Centre for Coaching and is an accredited facilitator in Raising Children, a program for parents of children ages 2-10, and she has a Level 3 Award in Work with Parents via Sharing Parenting.
In addition, Hannah is a founding member, chair and group coordinator of the Cambridge Stroke Group, which provides support to stroke survivors, helping to transform their lives and speed up recovery after a stroke. Hannah is also a Home-Start UK volunteer, visiting families in their homes to offer confidential, non-judgemental support.
Practical Workplace Support for Parents
To get a preview of Hannah’s approach, download your free guide:
5 Practical (and Free) Solutions to Support Parents Returning to Work.
These are simple, no-cost strategies HR leaders can implement straight away —
and a first step towards building a truly supportive culture.
Hannah helped me focus on what the real challenges were, gave me insights into patterns
that were holiding me back, and helped me discover resolutions for these issues.