Collaborative problem solving to improve busy lives, at work or play.
Empowering people, elevating business and self
ZB People & Culture Consulting Ltd. (ZB People for short) provides people-first HR and EDI solutions that combine compassion and practical expertise to create a thriving, compliant workplace. Unlike traditional, jargon-heavy HR consultancies, we offer straight-talking advice with a focus on risk minimisation, human connection and actionable results. Whether you’re looking to align your team with your company values, navigate compliance and workforce change challenges, or enhance employee wellbeing, we provide tailored support that helps your people and your business grow, with integrity and empathy at every step. Our mission is to improve lives at work and play and inspire diverse communities to thrive through collaboration founded on trust. We can solve potentially expensive people problems and challenges with optimism and resilience.
With an MSc in HR Management and a career in people and culture which began in 2008 - including a decade as a senior HR leader in Premier League football clubs - Zoë Brough knows what it takes to build and maintain high-performing teams in high-pressured environments. That expertise is brought to businesses of all sizes, helping them create strong, values-driven cultures where people thrive. Zoë believes in authentic leadership, bringing out the best in people and fostering environments where teams and individuals feel empowered to excel. ZB People exists to make a meaningful impact.
Zoë is also the founder of Vibrant Sobriety, a structured programme to help people stop drinking and rebuild a life they want to stay sober for. She is a member of the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine and Sober Club-Accredited Life Coach. VS exists to demonstrate that ditching the booze doesn’t mean ditching your spark. After navigating her own alcohol-free journey which started in 2022 and hitting 1000+ days sober, she realised life got more vibrant, not less. Zoë helps others break free from ‘grey area drinking’ through compassionate, practical coaching which celebrates progress over perfection. If you're ready to feel good and live your best, healthy life, you're in the right place. We offer 1:1 coaching for individuals, workshops for businesses who put wellness front and centre of their employer brand proposition and collabs with AF drinks companies and organisations such as running clubs who are interested in promoting non-alcohol choices to their members.
The company is based in Shropshire but the business is set up to support businesses and individuals nationally and internationally.
Services
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Coaching
I offer both executive and life coaching for individuals who want more clarity, better performance, and a life that feels aligned, not just successful on paper.
My approach is straight-talking, compassionate, and rooted in real-world experience. I’ve spent over 15 years working at senior level in high-pressure environments, including elite sport, so I understand what it’s like when expectations are high and the margin for error is low.
Alongside this, I’m currently studying my ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching and Mentoring and a Diploma in Coaching and Positive Psychology, bringing evidence-based tools into every conversation.
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HR & EDI Health Checks
Stay ahead of the curve with our company-wide people and culture health checks. Designed to give you peace of mind and power your next phase of growth, they help sports clubs and businesses spot gaps, reduce risk, and align policies and processes with best practice.
You’ll walk away with a practical, strategic framework to support your people and drive your business forward. We can also work with you to implement the changes needed and ensure you are set up to for future success.
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Project Delivery
Whether it's shaping your people strategy, planning for future workforce needs, navigating change with empathy, or embedding equity and belonging into every layer of your business, we partner with you to create lasting impact, not just tick-box exercises.
We bring a compassionate, straight-talking approach that turns ideas into action and values into behaviours.
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Leadership Development
Great leadership doesn’t just happen; it’s built through self-awareness and support. We work with sports clubs and businesses to develop confident, compassionate leaders who know how to bring out the best in their teams.
Whether it’s first-time managers finding their feet or senior leaders navigating complexity and change, we offer tailored development programmes, coaching, and practical tools that grow capability, courage and connection.
Values
Collaborative
We believe in the power of working together. By bringing diverse perspectives and skills into the fold, we create solutions that truly benefit everyone.
Straight-Talking
Honesty is at the heart of what we do. We communicate clearly and directly, ensuring practical advice and solutions.
Integrity-Driven
Our work is grounded in a commitment to doing what’s right. We hold ourselves accountable and always act with transparency and fairness.
Compassionate
We understand the human side of business. Our approach is empathetic, judgment-free; prioritising people’s wellbeing while driving results.
Action-Oriented
We don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk. We focus on practical, actionable steps that lead to real change and results for your people and business.
Testimonials
Malcolm Louth
The Clorox Company
“Zoë was a total professional. She really acted as a solid sounding post, and guided me in determining my own thoughts and preferences - which on reflection must have taken a lot of patience from her. I think she saw things I'd not yet spotted - and by deploying her superb personality - she managed to bring things together to get the result sough after..”
Kashmire Hawker
West Midlands Combined Authority
“Zoë is an excellent individual, whose work and focus makes her a delight to work with, no matter the project or organisation. Her passion on all things equality makes her a hugely valuable person, I highly recommend working with her.”
Mike Scott
Birmingham City FC
“Zoë is an outstanding HR manager and leader in her field. Zoë has a high level of knowledge and experience in the human resource industry. She demonstrated a wealth of knowledge and detail around recruitment, legislation and laws involving human resource. I would highly recommend Zoë as a consultant to support industries requiring a high wealth of experience to help their organisation grow and develop.”
George Bettany
Sean Malcolm
Al Jazira FC
“Zoë is not only a HR specialist but a specialist in dealing with people from an array of different backgrounds and she does this seamlessly. Zoë builds and creates fantastic environments to work in and always puts others first… she’s always prepared to go the extra mile. Zoë would be a treasure to any organisation in any sector and add high value to any environment.”
MARA Run Club
“To me Zoë is brilliant. A force of nature and born leader. I first worked with Zoë back when she was at Wolverhampton Wanderers and from our very first interaction I could feel the care she put into her work, and into the people there. Since then I’ve been lucky to work more closely with Zoe and the work she has done in the Community, bringing that same amount of care and compassion, has had a huge impact on people’s live and is what makes her so special. One of the very best.”
“At ZB People, our purpose is simple: to improve lives. ”