HR is a significantly more skilled career than it was five years ago as a result of a more litigious society, according to Andy Simpson, who is heading up Huxley Associates' newly-launched HR division from the company's London office.

Simpson told Recruiter: "Over the past five years human resources has evolved into a much more central and strategic business area. This is down to a number of reasons, including living and working in increasingly litigious times and increasing awareness of the government to both empower and protect employees and their rights while at work."

Huxley, which is part of the SThree group of companies, moved into HR following demand from clients, and Simpson was quick to point out the greater importance of HR as a business function.

"There was a time when human resources areas were considered as a support function, and HR often informed about decisions after they had been made. In today's market, where the world is now a much smaller place, HR has clearly emerged as a central figure in strategic business decision-making, in an economy where the strength of your business is now causally related to the quality of your people," explained Simpson.

"HR is now much more central in the design, delivery and communication of a company's strategy."

Huxley will be moving into a number of markets in the HR sector with its new division, including generalists, employee relations staff, learning and development, organisational development, recruitment, compensation and benefits, and senior appointments.

A team of six will work in the division with two new consultants being joined by four who have moved from other areas of the business.