About

I incorporated Think Smart People in early 2023, having successfully built up its sister company Think Smart Accounts since its inception in 2015. Prior to setting up Think Smart, I have over 20 years experience of managing Finance, Payroll & HR departments in the corporate blue chip & SME markets. I have gained a wealth of experience in a variety of roles and industries, including Seton House Group, Thomson Directories Ltd and Infor (United Kingdom) Ltd.

Prior to 2023, Think Smart’s people support solutions were delivered alongside related mainstream accounting products i.e. payroll and pension auto enrolment support. As our Finance Client base has grown, it has become clear that there is an increased need amongst the small business community for support with both legislative and day to day HR requirements. This led me to set up a sister company for Think Smart Accounts which I have called Think Smart People. I have brought on board Lisa McCabe who is someone that I have previously worked with for her HR expertise and together we are able to support both our current client base and future prospective clients.

Both Lisa and I have a passion for helping small businesses by providing the support they need. We have the skillsets to be able to deal with all of your HR generalist requirements, which means simply that we can be your HR partner throughout your business journey.

With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources, Lisa has a proven track record of supporting both SMEs and corporate organisations. Her career began in aircraft interior manufacturing, where she progressed through the HR ranks from Administrator to Group HR and Development Manager. In this role, Lisa managed the UK HR function while also supporting the company’s facility in Xiamen, China. Her commitment to professional growth and hands-on management led to opportunities to travel extensively, visiting subsidiary locations across Europe, China and the USA.

Throughout her career, Lisa has taken on HR Management roles within diverse industries, including Care, Telecommunications, and Cyber Security. As an experienced and highly motivated HR Manager, Business Partner, and Generalist, she brings a wealth of knowledge to dynamic, confidential, and challenging environments. Lisa’s approach is both proactive and practical, always aiming to foster positive relationships between managers and employees to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with company objectives.

Lisa’s passion for HR lies in her commitment to a hands-on, compliant, and results-driven approach, ensuring that legal and accreditation standards are maintained throughout all company activities. Her focus is on delivering tailored HR support that empowers businesses to thrive while meeting their operational goals.

When she’s not immersed in her work, Lisa enjoys quality time with her family and friends.

Michele is a people-focused learning and development professional who’s passionate about creating learning that actually makes a difference. She believes the best kind of learning solves real workplace challenges—delivered just enough, just in time, and never just for the sake of it.

She got her start in the world of L&D back in 2016, supporting big public sector organisations while also volunteering for the CIPD. Early in her career, she helped roll out leadership and apprenticeship programmes across B&Q’s 27,000-strong team, and gained hands-on experience in digital learning, compliance training and psychometrics along the way.

Since then, Michele’s moved into more senior roles—supporting business change, designing and delivering leadership development, coaching up to exec level, and managing sizeable L&D budgets. She’s held learning leadership roles in both the energy and defence tech sectors.

Learning isn’t just what Michele does—it’s who she is. She’s constantly developing herself too, holding accreditations in Insights Discovery and the Roche Martin ECR 360, a CIPD Level 5 Diploma, and most recently becoming a qualified Executive Coach after completing her Level 7 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring.

Collaborative by nature, Michele works closely with clients to design bespoke learning and development solutions that genuinely support people and performance.

Outside of work, she’s a keen board gamer and sings in a local choir—two things that bring her joy, challenge her thinking, and keep her creativity flowing.

Nells supports the Think Smart’s Team happiness by wandering around the office, swapping cuddles for treats. If nothing else, she makes a great sweeper-upper