Meet Aurora HR

Dawn Sowerby

Founder, MD and Lead Consultant

I spent most of my career travelling for work both nationally and internationally and was never at home very much during the week.  I said to my daughter one Tuesday night “I’m not sure how much longer I want to do this work. I’m never home.” 2 days later my boss rang and said I was being made redundant.

Now if that is not the universe telling me something, I don’t know what it.  So I decided to start my own business.

I spent the Covid years visiting small businesses around the county. The business owners I met, all of them, cared about their people. When there was a problem, it was significant because when there are less people everyone has a bigger impact.  I saw businesses fail . I met business owners who had used up all their savings to keep staff in jobs and were just managing to keep their heads above water. And I saw business that had prospered and grown, offering new employment opportunities to their local area. It was humbling & inspiring.

What was common though was how little support there is for small businesses.  AND YET…

SMEs and sole traders dominate the UK economy, making up nearly 62% of the workforce and 99% of all businesses in the UK.   This highlights their critical role in employment, innovation, and economic stability.

Claire Daubney

HR Manager

I’ve worn a few HR hats over the years — from being Compliance Manager at Tesco to leading HR functions in small and medium-sized businesses. Along the way, I’ve gained hands-on experience managing everyday people operations with a focus on efficiency, impact, and culture. Working closely with CEOs and leadership teams, I’ve helped shape strategies that drive performance, engagement, and growth.

It was in these fast-paced, agile environments that I discovered what I love most about HR — creating clarity from complexity, making a direct impact and helping people and businesses not just adapt to change, but grow stronger because of it.

I get it — the headaches, the hurdles, and the wins that come with growing a business. I believe people challenges don’t have to be complicated. I’m a problem solver who cuts through the noise to find practical, balanced solutions that work for both employees and the business.

I first met Dawn, Managing Director of Aurora HR during a short project. Even in those few days, it was clear we were cut from the same cloth — passionate, personable, and practical. Dawn’s personalised approach means no two days are ever the same and it’s never just about ticking boxes. It’s about partnering with clients to understand what their people need — and what makes their business thrive.

At Aurora HR, we’re redefining what HR feels like. HR often gets a reputation for being too formal, stuffy, or distant. That’s not us. At Aurora HR, we keep the “human” in Human Resources. Forget the jargon and formality — we focus on real conversations, genuine connections, and straightforward advice that actually works.

Today, I’m proud to work alongside Dawn and the incredible Aurora HR team, helping businesses navigate change — from onboarding and policy development to employee relations and performance management. Together, we bring calm, clarity, and confidence to every challenge, supporting leaders to make decisions that keep their teams happy and their businesses growing.

On a personal level, I am powered by sunshine, matcha, and chocolate — happiest when I’m outside, staying active, and surrounded by nature. My dog, Coco, is my loyal sidekick on every walk and adventure!