Meet The Team

We are a forward thinking team of HR and legal professionals, with a genuine interest in the education sector and a strong ethos of wanting to make a difference, working as colleagues not service providers.

Natalie Ruane headshot photo
Natalie Ruane

Natalie founded the business and is a senior level employment lawyer. She provides legal and strategic advice to education leaders, alongside managing the business.

Sarah Bell headshot photo
Sarah Bell

Sarah is our Business Manager and has over 10 years’ experience working in the education sector. Her role includes contract management, finance, client onboarding and internal project support. Sarah is a key point of contact for clients and the team. 

Jo Hurd headshot photo
Jo Hurd

Jo is a senior level employment lawyer, having previously worked in private practice, as well as in-house, heading up the employment law team in a large in-house legal function in Manchester. Her role is to supervise and risk assess cases managed by the HR team and to conduct research into legal matters affecting the education sector.

Sophie Allinson headshot photo
Sophie Allinson

Sophie is a Solicitor who previously trained and qualified among many of the team. After working in local government throughout the LGR period, she returned to provide advice and guidance on employment matters affecting the education sector.

Sarah Pickthall headshot photo
Sarah Pickthall

Sarah is a senior HR professional, with extensive experience of working with schools in Cumbria over the last decade.  She joined Just People HR Ltd in September 2021 and provides an excellent level of support to our school clients.

Eleanor Tindall headshot photo
Eleanor Tindall

Eleanor is a senior HR professional who has worked in a variety of private and public sector settings. Her efficient and pragmatic approach is often praised.

Julie Ingham headshot photo
Julie Ingham

Julie has over 14 years of experience working within the HR sector, latterly in a local secondary school providing HR support within the school setting. Julie provides internal HR administration support and assists the team with HR Casework.