About Derek
Experienced HR guidance from someone who understands business.
Derek has decades of practical HR experience supporting business owners, managers and employees through growth, change and difficult workplace situations.
His experience includes extensive work within construction and growing organisations, covering recruitment, employment processes, disciplinaries, grievances, dismissals, organisational structure and strategic people planning.
He works with employers across Edinburgh and Midlothian, Scotland, and remotely with businesses elsewhere in the UK. See how the HR support packages work in practice.
Profile last reviewed: 14 August 2026.
Derek is particularly skilled at understanding what a business owner is trying to achieve, identifying the people issues that could get in the way and creating a practical route forward.
He believes that firm decisions and compassionate treatment are not opposites. Even difficult situations can be handled clearly, fairly and humanely.
Specialist support when you need it
Where a project would benefit from manager or team training, Derek works with experienced Learning and Development Specialist Julie Begbie.
Derek creates and oversees the HR methods, processes and technical content. Julie can then turn those methods into practical, engaging learning that helps managers understand what they need to do and apply it confidently in the workplace.
Julie Begbie is a Business and Occupational Psychologist, trainer and behavioural change specialist with more than 30 years' experience in Learning and Development.
She specialises in making complex subjects clear, engaging and practical. Working under Derek's direction, Julie designs and delivers sessions that bring his HR methods to life, helping managers practise important conversations and use the agreed processes consistently.
All enquiries, scoping and HR guidance come through Derek. See manager and team training.
What guides the work
Values
- 01
Clarity before complexity
- 02
Prevention before crisis
- 03
Fairness without avoiding firm decisions
- 04
Practical advice that works in a real business
- 05
People treated with dignity
Recommendations
What people say about working with Derek
Recommendations from clients and colleagues Derek has supported over his career.
I have worked with Derek Carter since 2003, during which time he has been HR Director across several of my businesses. Derek combines outstanding HR expertise with commercial awareness, integrity, and a practical approach to solving complex people issues. He has played a vital role in supporting growth, managing change, and developing strong workplace cultures.
Even after establishing his own business, Derek continues to be a trusted advisor whose guidance and support I value greatly. I would highly recommend Derek to any organisation looking for an experienced HR leader and strategic business partner.
Having known Derek for 15 years he was my natural choice for a HR partner when I set up my new firm.
Derek has worked with me in a truly advisory way since day 1 providing first class advice when I required it. He painlessly implemented HR procedures within my business from the onset ensuring that be-IT was fully compliant with all legislation and to this day provides call off assistance as and when I require it.
I can thoroughly recommend Derek as an informed and personable professional who adds HR rigor to a SME business. His approach was excellent.
Derek Carter was a colleague and neighbour while working for CCA Limited on Canouan Island, with whom my wife and I developed a close relationship with his family.
As a colleague, he showed an unparalleled commitment to his job. On numerous occasions, he either arrived late or left for the office just after arriving home from work, and he answered work-related calls, regardless of time, during personal time with family and friends and on days off. Derek dealt with any employment issues or matters promptly, always informing you as to where your query stood.
Derek's professionalism and charismatic leadership made him a well-respected colleague, and a reliable friend.
Let's start a conversation.
Confidential, straightforward and with no obligation. Tell Derek what is happening and he will tell you what he would do next.
Talk to Derek