PageGroup hires RSM to lead redesign of finance operating model
PageGroup has hired consultants from RSM to support a finance transformation the recruitment firm is embarking on. The deal – the value of which has not been disclosed – involves the redesign of PageGroup’s global finance operating model and the implementation of a new system.
London-based PageGroup, which recently rebranded from Michael Page International, is a global recruitment agency, founded in 1976. The firm is focused on specialist recruitment, particularly for temporary, contract and permanent roles typically at second and third job level grades and upwards. The recruiter, which trades under the brands of Michael Page, Page Personnel and Page Executive, has 5,600+ staff working across its 135 offices spread over 35 countries.
In line with the firm’s strategy to bolster the agility and efficiency of its financial business processes, as well as harmonise the operations of its 90 different legal entities across its footprint, PageGroup’s management team recently decided to overhaul its technology infrastructure which supports its finance operating model. “We’re intent on simplifying and modernising our global financial system to better support our finance team, our recruitment consultants, and ultimately our clients and candidates,” explains Mark Hearn, Group Services finance director at PageGroup.
Following a due diligence on vendors and their solutions, PageGroup selected NetSuite OneWorld as the solution for its future operations. “NetSuite OneWorld offers a modern and comprehensive solution that we anticipate can be quickly and easily rolled out to all our offices around the world,” comments Hearn. The announcement was made at the recent NetSuite Suiteworld conference in California.
To lead the technology transformation, PageGroup has hired RSM, one of the globe’s larger professional services firms and a certified NetSuite Systems Integrator (since 2013). The programme will be overseen by RSM’s UK office, and led by engagement partner Chris Knowles, Head of Technology Consulting at RSM UK. Commenting on the project, he says the firm is “delighted” with the ability to partner with PageGroup and NetSuite OneWorld. “For PageGroup this is an opportunity to leverage NetSuite's integrated cloud ERP platform to improve core finance processes, generate efficiencies and provide significantly better management reporting. We look forward to using our deep NetSuite and finance improvement skills to help them achieve this.”
As part of the transformation, the combined project team will start by drafting a blueprint for PageGroup’s finance operating model, spanning mission critical business processes such as accounting, global financial consolidation, reporting, budgeting and analytics and multi-currency management. A detailed gap analysis with the existing infrastructure, which runs mainly on Unit4 Coda, and a separate instance of Microsoft Dynamics AX, will be run to unravel country specifics, and harmonise ways of working, yet, down the line all financial operations will be migrated into one single system.
Detailed planning timelines have not been disclosed by PageGroup, RSM nor NetSuite OneWorld.
Globally, more than 30,000 companies and subsidiaries use NetSuite services. One of those is Transavia, the low-cost carrier of Air France/KLM, which recently engaged Capgemini to support its transition to the cloud-based ERP solution.
