American ERP consultancy opens UK office to serve Europe
Fast-growing ERP and digital transformation firm Third Stage Consulting Group has arrived on European shores, with the launch of its first office in the UK. The US firm’s Maidenhead location will be governed by newly appointed Vice President Stuart Robb, who is now responsible for developing Third Stage’s consulting business in the European marketplace.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software allows for the business process management of an organisation via a system of integrated applications. This means that businesses successfully deploying ERP techniques can automate many back office functions related to technology, services and human resources, saving time and money in the process. Some of the best known ERP software implementations include SAP S4/HANA, Oracle Cloud ERP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and a range of other systems.
While the benefits of ERP are well-documented, however, reaching the point at which these pros can be realised is easier said than done. This is perhaps best illustrated by disruptive discount grocery brand Lidl, which in an uncharacteristic misfire, shelved a seven-year project to introduce SAP to its business, wasting an estimated €500 million in the process. Due to the risks that upgrading to ERP can carry, then, the importance of engaging external expertise to help the process along cannot be overstated.
Tapping into this demand, US ERP consultancy Third Stage Consulting Group has announced plans to expands into Europe, in order to better support its global client base. Stuart Robb – who has held senior consultancy roles with EY and Capgemini Australia over a 20-year career – has been installed as its Vice President for the region, and he will be responsible for developing Third Stage’s consulting business in the European marketplace, following the company’s consistent growth since its launch in the US in 2018.
Third Stage was founded by Eric Kimberling, an ERP expert with over two decades of experience in the ERP world, having previously served Schlumberger and PwC, and Panorama Consulting Solutions (a IT consultancy he founded in 2011 which has transitioned into Third Stage Consulting Group). In its marketing output, the firm terms itself as being a technology-agnostic firm, meaning it is unbiased towards the use of different technology tools to solve different problems. The firm believes this independence gives it the perfect platform to tailor digital transformation and ERP software consulting solutions for each client.
Kimberling, who is also the CEO of Third Stage, said, “This move strengthens our ability to help businesses across the US and Europe deliver transformational benefit from their digital initiatives. Stuart’s experience of leading enterprise change across the entire target operating model will cement our reputation as the first-choice provider of advisory, selection, implementation and assurance services in the ERP space.”
Vice President Europe Robb added, “Third Stage is one of the very few fully independent consulting firms that’s entirely focused on delivering digital and ERP business transformations. I’m extremely excited to become part of the Third Stage family and to bring their insight, methods and independent approach to the UK and European market. I look forward to helping Third Stage build its European business and deliver on its long-term ambition to be a global consultancy provider.”
The launch of Third Stage’s office in Maidenhead parallels a path well-trodden by the pan-Atlantic professional services trade. US consultancies often use the UK as a stepping-stone to the EU market. 2019 has seen a number of American-origin consulting firms look to strengthen their UK presence as a result. In spring, Change 4 Growth confirmed it was opening a new London location, which will see the company look to supply organisational transformation solutions crafted over the last several years in the US to British clients, while Aarete expanded its London presence just months later.
