MGPA is a private equity real estate fund management company providing investment management services to investors seeking exposure to the Asian and European real estate markets. Operating through its 11 worldwide offices this rapidly expanding business combine the local knowledge of their real estate professionals based throughout Asia and Europe, with the broad global perspectives gained through operating in two major economic regions, to develop their strategies and identify investment opportunities.

Established in 1992, RIAS is the UK’s fastest organically growing intermediary, offering home, motor and travel insurance products to the over 50s market. It negotiates rates and cover with a panel of insurers to secure competitive, value for money products. The company has over 840,000 customers and employs more than 1,000 people.
Part of The Fortis Group with total assets of over £700 billion, RIAS has experienced rapid growth delivering 20% year on year growth in both income and customers.

Extending the capability of existing systems
Whilst the previous HR system utilised within RIAS allowed for basic information capture and reporting, there was a requirement to improve performance and data integrity, and to streamline processes, which were all paramount to the success of the HR function and the business.

First Rate Travel Services is a joint venture between the Bank of Ireland and Post Office™ Ltd to provide outsourced foreign exchange solutions. Originally made up of thirty-five people, the firm now employs two hundred and forty staff in permanent roles, plus some fifty to sixty temporary staff. First Rate Travel Services’ largest customer continues to be the Post Office, although the company has a growing number of other corporate clients. First Rate Travel Services is currently the largest foreign exchange provider in the UK, handling an extensive range of currencies; and was the first company in the UK to provide foreign exchange with “0% commission”.

First Rate Travel Services currently operates from a number of geographically dispersed sites, including three main offices, four smaller sites and approximately two dozen home-based workers. The company plans to develop additional sites as the business grows and develops.

Launched in January 1997 Hastings Direct is the UK’s 5th largest personal lines insurance provider. The addition of Peoples Choice in July 2003, strengthened the Company’s position in the motor insurance market, and Hastings Direct now has over 800,000 policyholders. The Company’s Head Office is located in Bexhill, East Sussex, and two further sites operate in Leicester and Manchester. With approximately 1,400 staff, the Company handles in excess of three million enquiries each year.

Improving internal processes & supporting future growth

While Hastings Direct was experiencing rapid sales growth, internal processes, and in particular HR processes, were in need of improvement.

De La Rue is the world's largest commercial security printer and papermaker, producing over 150 national currencies and a wide range of security documents such as passports, fiscal stamps, travellers’ cheques and authentication labels. In business since 1813, De LaRue is a member of the FTSE 250, and employs over 5,500 people across 31 countries.

Halian is an IT services company, dedicated to helping organisations develop, transform and improve their business performance through the effective use of technology and people. Halian has been providing an onsite Resource Management (RM) service to a Global IT Vendor’s Dutch subsidiary for several years, and as part of our commitment to improve the level of service, it was clear that a technology solution would be required.