Location: Merlin House, Newport
Salary: Starting salary £25,000 pro rata per annum
Role Status: Full-time 37.5 hours per week (may consider part-time – minimum 22.5 hours per week)
Closing Date: 31 Dec 2024

Are you an exceptional organiser with a passion for high-level administrative support? Join our award-winning team at de Novo as a People & Corporate Services Support Administrator and play a key role in our Corporate Services office!

As our People & Corporate Services Support Administrator, you’ll be the backbone of our executive team, providing vital support to our Chief Executive, Chief People Officer, Head of Corporate & People, and Head of Accounting Services. This role demands exceptional organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

For more details on this role and how to apply, please visit our recruitment website via the link below:

Tom Mann de Novo Solutions

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 14 August 2024 — de Novo Solutions, the multi-award-winning Welsh technology company, specialising in delivering personalised data-driven digital experiences across Finance, Procurement, HR, and Payroll functions using Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow, is delighted to announce the promotion of Tom Mann to the role of Chief Experience Officer (CXO).

Tom Mann, who joined de Novo Solutions as Senior Vice President of Client Services in December 2023, has been instrumental in enhancing client satisfaction and driving operational excellence, making an immediate impact on the organisation as it scales. With over three decades of experience in enterprise software and programme management, including his previous roles as Delivery Director at Guidewire Software and Vice President of Client Services at Certus Solutions, Tom has a proven track record in global business transformation and client service excellence.

Tom’s new role as Chief Experience Officer and Board Advisor will significantly enhance the value and impact of de Novo Solutions’ services, both internally and for its clients as the organisation continues to scale. His responsibilities will include:

  • Elevating Client Experience – Refining and expanding de Novo’s Value as a Service™ (VaaS™) offering, to ensure it continues to set industry standards for excellence. With board-level oversight of the core customer experience functions, Tom will drive innovations that make every client interaction more intuitive, effective, and satisfying, reinforcing de Novo Solutions’ reputation as a leader in digital transformation
  • Strengthening Global Strategy – Expanding the company’s overseas capabilities, particularly in India to allow the company to scale at pace and meet client demand as it brings more skilled capability online, thereby enhancing global service delivery and client satisfaction
  • Driving Business Impact – Maturing performance metrics such as NPS (Net Promoter Score), CSAT (Customer Satisfaction), and employee engagement, linking experience improvements to tangible business outcomes, aligning client satisfaction with revenue and profitability growth, and demonstrating the direct impact of superior customer and employee experiences on overall business success

Tom’s appointment represents a transformative shift for de Novo Solutions, signifying a strengthened commitment to not only delivering cutting-edge technology solutions but also enhancing the overall client experience. With Tom’s strategic vision, clients can expect an elevated level of service that is both responsive and proactive, driving greater satisfaction and value.

Tom Mann, new Chief Experience Officer at de Novo Solutions, said: “I am thrilled to step into the role of Chief Experience Officer and continue to build on the great work we’ve done so far. My focus will be on ensuring that our VaaS™ offering continues to exceed client expectations and that our India subsidiary thrives as a key player in our global strategy. It’s an exciting opportunity to further elevate our client experience and deliver tangible impactful results, driving home our mantra of delivery excellence.”

Mark Sweeny, Founder and Chief Executive of de Novo Solutions, commented: “Tom’s promotion to Chief Experience Officer is a testament to his exceptional leadership and vision. His extensive experience and strategic insight, which we have seen firsthand since his appointment as Senior Vice President of Client Services, will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and expand our offerings globally. With Tom on board, our clients can expect an even higher standard of service and a more dynamic approach to meeting their evolving needs.”

Headquartered in Langstone, South Wales, de Novo Solutions is at the forefront of digital transformation innovation in the experience economy, having successfully developed and introduced a range of new solutions to the market since its official launch in 2021, including its industry cloud solutions, ‘Odyssea™’ and its next generation managed services offering, ‘Value as a Service™ [VaaS™]’ for Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow applications.

Charlene Young de Novo Solutions

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 14 August 2024 — de Novo Solutions, the multi-award-winning Welsh technology company specialising in delivering personalised, data-driven digital experiences across Finance, Procurement, HR, and Payroll functions, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Charlene Young as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). This exciting development comes on the heels of a stellar year for the company, which saw a 100% increase in revenue and an expansion of the team from 10 to 78 employees.

Charlene brings a wealth of experience and expertise to de Novo with a proven track record in transforming workplace culture, implementing strategic diversity and inclusion initiatives, and nurturing talent growth. Her MCIPD qualification, passion and diverse background in managing people-centric initiatives make her a perfect fit for driving the company’s people strategy forward steering de Novo through its next phase of growth.

For de Novo, Charlene will focus upon several strategic initiatives:

  • Organisational Culture Enhancement – Strengthening and evolving the company’s culture to support and sustain its rapid growth
  • Talent Development and Retention – Implementing comprehensive programmes to develop and retain the company’s talent
  • Leadership Development – Establishing a robust leadership framework to prepare the next generation of de Novo leaders for continued success and growth
  • Employee Engagement – Driving initiatives to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction
  • Diversity and Inclusion – Promoting and embedding diversity and inclusion practices to reflect the diverse perspectives of de Novo’s global client base and community

Charlene’s extensive experience includes her most recent role as Head of People & Culture at Eight Wealth Management Ltd.  During her five-year tenure, Charlene was instrumental in driving through employee culture, engagement and wellbeing initiatives, and building their internal graduate academy producing high performing and talented financial advisers. Leading a creative and diverse team, Charlene was ultimately responsible for the people strategy and overseeing complex HR projects, including TUPE and acquisitions, location and IT infrastructure within the UK. Prior to this, she was a Business Operations Associate Manager at Accenture, where she facilitated the integration of Certus Solutions into Accenture. Her career also includes significant roles at Certus Solutions and The Innovation Group, where she developed and executed key HR strategies and managed large-scale change initiatives.

Charlene Young, new Chief People Officer of de Novo Solutions, added: “I am delighted to be joining de Novo at such an exciting time.  The company’s impressive growth presents a unique opportunity to build on its successes and create a thriving, inclusive culture. My focus will be on enhancing our organisational culture, implementing strategic talent management practices, and ensuring that every team member is engaged and valued. I look forward to contributing to our continued success and supporting our team’s growth.”

Mark Sweeny, Founder and Chief Executive of de Novo Solutions, confirmed: “Over the last three years, the de Novo senior leadership team has worked incredibly hard to cement our offering in the experience economy, bringing new and innovative solutions to market and driving growth. With exciting plans in place to continue to build on this and become a leading market player – particularly in Wales – we recognise the need for the right team behind us.  Having worked with Charlene at Certus, I am excited to be working with her again and have no doubt she will make a positive impact from day one.” 

Headquartered in Langstone, South Wales, de Novo Solutions is at the forefront of digital transformation innovation in the experience economy, having successfully developed and introduced a range of new solutions to the market since its official launch in 2021, including its industry cloud solutions, ‘Odyssea™’ and its next generation managed services offering, ‘Value as a Service™ [VaaS™]’ for Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow applications.


Media Contact
John Bowen
jbowen@makemorenoise.co.uk
07538 445 030

Just as a sunrise represents a new beginning and limitless possibilities, Value as a Service™ (VaaS™) offers Oracle Cloud customers a continuous journey of innovation and improvement. By embracing VaaS™, you can ensure that your cloud environment evolves in tandem with your business needs, delivering ongoing value and opportunities for growth. 

Value as a Service™ is designed to provide ongoing value through continuous innovation. Unlike traditional support models that offer a fixed set of features, VaaS™ ensures that your Oracle Cloud environment evolves with the latest technological advancements.  In the concluding chapter of our three-part blog series, discover how VaaS™ marks the dawn of a new era for your Oracle Cloud journey, driving continuous innovation and keeping your business at the forefront of technology and innovation.

How VaaS™ Keeps Your Oracle Cloud Evolving

1. Strategic Goal Alignment

With VaaS™, we start by aligning your Oracle Cloud strategy with your organisation’s strategic goals. This ensures that every aspect of cloud adoption and management is purpose-driven, addressing the gap between projected and realised value by ensuring that cloud initiatives contribute directly to achieving your business objectives.

2. Regular Performance Assessments

VaaS™ includes regular performance assessments to evaluate your Oracle Cloud environment. These assessments help identify areas for optimisation and ensure that your cloud services are continuously aligned with evolving business needs and benefits from regular vendor updates.

3. Adherence to Best Practices

Our VaaS™ agreement includes the implementation of industry best practices in Oracle Cloud management. This encompasses security protocols, compliance standards, and performance optimisation techniques. By staying updated with Oracle’s latest updates and best practices, we ensure your organisation benefits from the newest features and improvements.

4. Proactive Monitoring & Support

We provide proactive monitoring and support through advanced tools and methodologies to identify and address potential issues before they impact your operations. This approach maintains high system reliability and maximises the value from ongoing updates and new releases.

5. Continuous Training & Development

We provide ongoing training and development for your IT team and end-users, keeping them informed about new Oracle Cloud features and best practices. This continuous learning approach empowers your team to fully utilise Oracle Cloud capabilities and adapt to new functionalities.

6. Strategic Innovation Roadmap

VaaS™ includes the creation of a strategic innovation roadmap outlining strategic initiatives and projects that leverage Oracle Cloud to gain a competitive advantage. This roadmap focuses on integrating emerging technologies and staying ahead of digital transformation trends.

7. Expert Consultancy & Guidance

VaaS™ provides access to experienced Oracle Cloud consultants who offer specialised expertise and industry insights. This collaboration helps optimise cloud performance and navigate the complexities of cloud innovation.

8. Feedback-Driven Optimisation

VaaS™ agreements establish mechanisms for collecting feedback from stakeholders, including end-users and business leaders. This feedback loop drives continuous improvement initiatives and helps us refine your Oracle Cloud strategy and adapt to real-world needs, ensuring that the solutions remain effective and relevant.

9. Dynamic Value Management

VaaS™ redefines value measurement with a dynamic approach, moving beyond static ROI calculations. Our four-dimensional value framework—covering Optimisation, Efficiency, Adoption, and Innovation—provides real-time assessments and adjustments, ensuring your cloud investment delivers ongoing, impactful results.

Embrace Change This Summer

Summer is the ideal time to reflect on your current cloud strategy and explore how VaaS™ can enhance your Oracle Cloud journey. During this season of renewal, let de Novo guide you in evaluating your current Oracle Cloud technology stack and exploring how continuous improvements can propel your business forward.

Here's How We Can Help

Ready to Reimagine your Oracle Cloud Journey?

Step confidently into the future with Value as a Service™.  Contact us today to discover how VaaS™ can transform your business and keep it at the cutting edge of technology. Let’s partner to reimagine your Oracle Cloud journey and open the door to new opportunities for continuous innovation.a

#ReimagineWithVaaS

Read the Full Blog Series Here

Ready to Explore VaaS™?

Learn how de Novo's unique approach to Managed Cloud Support will significantly bring value to your organisation.

Just as yoga stretching helps your body recalibrate and optimise its performance, reevaluating and realigning your approach for Oracle Cloud will maximise value and optimise service experiences.  

Embrace a New "Posture" This Summer

This summer, adopting a new ‘posture’ will empower Oracle Cloud Applications Support Managers to contribute to the better health and wellbeing of the organisation’s Oracle Cloud performance.  In the second part of our 3-part summer blog series, discover how adopting a new mindset can help you recalibrate and optimise your Oracle Cloud experience. Think of it as a strategic stretch—realigning your Oracle Cloud management approach for greater agility, efficiency, and success. Whether you’re experiencing a failing or stalled implementation or seeking a fresh perspective, VaaS™ offers proactive management and continuous innovation to restore harmony to your Oracle cloud strategy.

Why Choose VaaS™?

de Novo stands out as award-winning pioneers of Oracle Cloud.   Our culture of thinking differently and commitment to developing new client sets us apart.

Our energy and innovation have enabled our team of trusted experts to develop VaaS™ into ‘this season’s’ must have accessory for Oracle Cloud managed service support.  Unlike traditional support models that often rely on reactive approaches and limited scope, VaaS™ offers a comprehensive, proactive framework that drives continuous improvement and maximises your Oracle Cloud investment.

Today, we engage clients seeking a fresh approach to managed service support delivery. This includes clients looking to recover from a problematic transformation programme, or those whose relationship with their current managed service support partner is no longer effective. Here’s how VaaS™ stands out:

Our Approach

Relationship Management

We assign a dedicated Service Manager who acts as a consistent point of contact for your team. Unlike traditional models, which often operate reactively and address issues as they arise, VaaS™ shifts the focus to proactive management. This manager works to maximise your return on investment in Oracle Cloud by identifying continuous improvement opportunities. They conduct regular strategic and operational service reviews to analyse trends and adapt our approach as needed. Through VaaS™, our Service Manager gains a comprehensive understanding of your short- and long-term aspirations for the system, ensuring we align our delivery with your goals.

Continuous Service Improvement

In contrast to traditional support models that can be static and limited to immediate fixes, VaaS™ emphasises continuous service improvement.  Our service delivery managers partner with client stakeholders to assess end-to-end service quality. This involves identifying any areas for improvement and implementing strategies to optimise the overall support service. We leverage data-driven insights and performance metrics to ensure our clients receive maximum value from our services.  

Pro-active System Health Checks

Traditional support often involves occasional reviews or health checks. VaaS™ offers regular, in-depth system health checks to identify and address inefficiencies and unmet needs. These evaluations revisit the original business needs, identify what is working or not, and develop a roadmap for improvements. For example, we may recommend enhanced processes or system solutions to address specific issues and unlock greater value from the system, ensuring that your system consistently delivers maximum value.

Pro-active Incident and Problem Management

We employ effective incident and problem management techniques to proactively identify and address recurring issues. By analysing high-traffic ticket areas, we detect trends and root causes, implementing remedial actions to prevent future occurrences. This proactive approach contrasts with traditional models that might only respond to issues after they arise, allowing us to prevent problems before they escalate.

Knowledge Transfer

Traditional models often provide training in isolation from actual support work. VaaS™ integrates knowledge transfer into the service delivery process through hybrid collaborative delivery teams. This holistic approach ensures both formal and informal education opportunities are maximised, fostering collaboration and building internal capabilities. Our goal is to build internal capabilities and empower your teams to manage and utilise the Oracle Cloud system more effectively and independently.

Real-World Examples of VaaS™ in Action

Case Study:  Payroll Process Optimisation
In one instance, we worked closely with a client’s payroll team to eliminate manual workarounds. By streamlining operations, we significantly reduced processing time and enhanced the accuracy of payroll payments. This not only improved efficiency but also ensured more reliable payroll operations.

Case Study: Internal Support Training
For another client, we provided training for internal support teams to handle in-house user management and second-line support. This approach reduced external support costs and bolstered internal capabilities, leading to a more self-sufficient and cost-effective support structure.

Case Study:  Health Check and System Enhancement
During a transition from a previous support partner, we performed a comprehensive four-week health check across all Oracle Cloud modules. We identified issues, streamlined payroll processes, and reverted to best practice standard designs. This resulted in enhanced system performance and more efficient operations. The transition also included a prioritised improvement roadmap that addressed complex custom solutions, leading to greater efficiency and reliability.

Case Study: Bi-weekly Functional Calls
We established bi-weekly functional calls between de Novo specialists and key users for another client organisation. This ongoing dialogue facilitated the creation of a comprehensive roadmap of initiatives and enhancements, managing improvements alongside regular support and project work. This approach led to better adoption, increased efficiency, and enhanced innovation across all four VaaS™ pillars for the client.

"de Novo's cloud support has been critical in helping us realise the benefit of Oracle Cloud and trust in the solution's capabilities. de Novo has quickly demonstrated how committed they are to understanding both OGAT's needs and those of the wider MAT sector to make optimal use of Oracle and ensure our digital transformation journey is a success. This valued partnership and Value As A Service™ (VaaS™) support model allows us to confidently focus on securing our strategic objectives and we're excited to bring these to fruition with de Novo."

Ready to Realign your Oracle Cloud Mindset?

Take the first step toward a better, more agile Oracle Cloud managed service support mindset. Contact us today to explore how VaaS™ can help you achieve your strategic business objectives and optimise your Oracle Cloud environment.  Embrace a new posture with VaaS™ and experience the benefits of a service model designed for continuous improvement and sustained success.

#RealignwithVaaS

Read the Full Blog Series Here

Ready to explore VaaS™?

Learn how de Novo's unique approach to Managed Cloud Support will significantly bring value to your organisation.

Just as a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade refreshes on a hot summer’s day, refreshing your approach to managed service support for Oracle Cloud will be equally quenching and rejuvenating.

Summer is the perfect time for Oracle Cloud Applications Support Managers to refresh their expectations regarding the service experience they receive today.  Why not take a few moments to explore de Novo’s Value as a Service™ (VaaS™) – the new standard in managed service support for Oracle Cloud? Learn more in our latest blog article, the first in a 3-part series, for insights into VaaS™ and its transformative benefits.

Why Choose VaaS™?

de Novo stands out as award-winning pioneers of Oracle Cloud.   Our culture of thinking differently and commitment to developing new client sets us apart.

Our energy and innovation have enabled our team of trusted experts to develop VaaS™ into ‘this season’s’ must have accessory for Oracle Cloud managed service support.day,

Today, we engage clients seeking a fresh approach to managed service support delivery. This includes clients looking to recover from a problematic transformation programme, or those whose relationship with their current managed service support partner is no longer effective.

Choose VaaS™ For a Fresh Approach

A conversation about VaaS™ managed service and support framework will inspire you to think, act and perform differently creating new experiences for all.  

Our experience and client feedback demonstrates that VaaS™ stimulates organisations to challenge existing operational processes and outcomes.  Re-balancing human experiences with business imperatives to improve outcomes and increased business value.    

VaaS™ is anchored around your success, focusing on ensuring clients maximise the value from their Oracle Cloud investment.  With VaaS™ de Novo has developed new managed service experiences and innovations at every turn.  Here are three key benefits our clients enjoy:

1. VaaS™ Four Value Dimensions

Client managed service support engagements are underpinned by a unique four-dimension value and success measurement process inspired by Design Thinking. These dimensions span cognitive, strategic and practical measurement encouraging clients to explore new ideas and experiences. Measurement is vital for evaluating a managed service, identifying strengths, weaknesses – inspiring action and collaboration on your unique transformational journey.

Optimisation

Optimisation

With VaaS™, our clients are inspired by knowledge share, recommendations, advice and contextual guidance for achieving leading practice all designed to optimise your organisation’s performance

Efficiency

Efficiency

With VaaS™, our clients receive quarterly reviews focusing on streamlining and automation Oracle Cloud to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) while maximising Oracle Cloud release capabilities to the fullest

Adoption

Adoption

With VaaS™, our clients explore and measure end-user adoption and satisfaction levels to secure and improve Oracle Cloud service engagement with user journeys and experiences that make a difference

Innovation

Innovation

With VaaS™, our clients participate in forward-looking industry-centric discussions, assessing the important content within the regular Oracle Cloud release and Oracle Redwood documentation 

2. VaaS™ Flexible Commercial Models

VaaS™ managed service support means modern thinking and practicality, as a team we are inspired by our regular ‘domestic’ lives and constantly strive to bring consumer-like experiences to the table to deliver better outcomes.

de Novo offers clients the flexibility to select the most suitable commercial agreement for service they seek – suiting their needs, expectations and budget.

Providing term-based agreements, Units (Pay as you Go) based agreements, and Service specific agreements spanning various Oracle Cloud transformation topics.  

We find that our clients benefit from an open, transparent commercial conversation to ensure they are not overpaying for services that are not required or deliver substandard experiences that don’t align to their vision or expectations. 

3. ServiceNow - Connected, Innovative and Agile

As an Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow accredited partner de Novo use best-in-class technology to deliver a game-changing managed service support delivery experience.

Our VaaS™ client managed service and support portal is powered by ServiceNow the leading business workflow technology.  ServiceNow enables our four-dimension VaaS™ measurement framework tracking benefits, and success metrics plotted in the client’s Value Action Report.

de Novo’s ServiceNow experts bring their skills, capabilities and their focus on customer success to our VaaS™ client portal experience.  An experience that is rich in capability and surpasses well beyond a basic SR (Service Request) ticket management system.

Partnering for Success

de Novo’s core business philosophy is built on partnership, collaboration, and trust.  We work closely and transparently with your organisation, blending your vision and ambitions with our expert knowledge to deliver maximum value and efficiency from your Oracle Cloud. 

Ready to Refresh your Oracle Cloud?

Ready to embark on a refreshing Oracle Cloud experience? Contact us today to discover how VaaS™ can transform your managed service support experience.  Book a consultation with de Novo today, your trusted partner in feel-good Oracle Cloud support.  

#RefreshWithVaaS

Read the Full Blog Series Here

Ready to explore VaaS™?

Learn how de Novo's unique approach to Managed Cloud Support will significantly bring value to your organisation.

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 12 July 2024 — de Novo Solutions, the multi-award-winning Welsh technology company, specialising in delivering personalised data-driven digital experiences across Finance, Procurement, HR, and Payroll functions, has successfully achieved ISO 27001 certification.  This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest possible security standards.

Renowned for its expertise in navigating today’s experience economy and recognised as a highly trusted partner of Oracle and ServiceNow, de Novo stands at the forefront of digital transformation innovation. ISO, a worldwide federation of national standards bodies, is a nongovernmental organisation that comprises standards bodies from more than 160 countries. These bodies collaborate to develop and promote international standards for technology, scientific testing processes, working conditions, societal issues and more.

The ISO 27001 certification confirms that de Novo Solutions meets the rigorous standards required for its information security management system [ISMS]. This certification signifies adherence to international best practices for managing information security risks.

By achieving ISO 27001, de Novo Solutions joins a select group of organisations operating at global standards for the secure management of people, processes and technology. This certification provides additional assurance to customers, partners and suppliers that its systems and data are highly secure.

This achievement comes just four months after the pioneering digital consultancy secured the Cyber Essentials Plus Accreditation, and as it marks its third successful year in business.

Ian Carline, Chief Technology and Data Protection Officer, de Novo Solutions, confirmed: “We are thrilled to achieve ISO 27001 certification, which stands as a powerful validation of our relentless pursuit of excellence in data security and privacy. This milestone not only demonstrates our dedication to safeguarding our clients’ information but also reinforces our position as a trusted leader in the industry, committed to upholding the highest standards of information security to ensure our clients’ peace of mind.  I am incredibly proud of the de Novo team and everything we have achieved in three short years and now look forward to building on this success throughout the rest of 2024 and beyond.”

Tom Mann, Senior Vice President of Client Services, de Novo Solutions, confirmed: “Obtaining this certification was no mean feat. It involved subjecting every aspect of our operations to intense scrutiny, from our data handling protocols to our infrastructure security. The audit process was rigorous and exhaustive, but it was all worth it. It has not only demonstrated our compliance with ISO 27001 standards but also showcased the depth of our dedication to our clients’ security.  Throughout this journey, we’ve not only met the high standards set by ISO 27001 but have also provided our clients with the assurance and peace of mind they rightfully deserve. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and what it represents for our clients and our commitment to their security.”

Since its launch in 2021, de Novo Solutions has successfully developed and introduced a range of innovative solutions to the market. These include its industry cloud solutions ’Odyssea™’, for Central Government, Local Government and Secondary Education (Multi-Academy Trusts) and its next-generation managed services offering, ‘Value as a Service™‘ [VaaS™].

Headquartered in Langstone, South Wales, the forward-thinking digital transformation consultancy is underpinned by a fast-growing team of 78 specialists specialising in Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technologies. 

Media Contact
Hannah Haffield
hhaffield@makemorenoise.co.uk
0121 594 0712 / 07939 468 567 

 

Company: de Novo | The Original Pioneers of Oracle Cloud
Location: Hybrid (Base in Langstone, Wales or Guildford, Surrey)
Salary: Competitive, dependent upon experience and location
Role Status: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Visa Sponsorship: Not available

Join de Novo, a pioneering Welsh tech company driving Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow innovation. We are currently seeking an experienced Oracle Cloud HCM Consultant to join our dynamic delivery team. As a key member of our consultancy practice, you will engage directly with clients on transformative Oracle Cloud projects, leveraging your expertise in Oracle Global Human Resources. This role offers a blend of remote and onsite work, requiring occasional travel to client sites and company offices.

For more details on this role and how to apply, please visit our recruitment website here.

Author:  Richard Twelvetrees, Experience & Value Enablement Director, de Novo Solutions

Multi-Academy Trusts (MAT) today are heavily focused on achieving effective sustainable growth. Committing precious funding, resource, energy, and time toward exploring how best to ‘grow’ and strengthen the organisation’s various experiences to benefit Pupils, Staff, or other educational stakeholders alike.

Optimising Central Services: The Hub and Spoke Model

Digital technology is a critical conversation to hold when enabling MAT effective growth. However, technology is not a magic bullet.

To achieve meaningful growth, MATs must ensure efficient traction to journey successfully toward triumph. A MATs transformational process needs to confidently embrace a review of the existing operating model, challenging the evolution of central services (back-office) advancement to deliver meaningful change, increase value, and improve quality.

Balancing Finance and People Management for Efficient Growth

Revisiting the best approach for the MAT ‘Hub and Spoke’ service delivery mechanism will mean re-evaluating which services are performed centrally to save time, money, effort, and resource and which services remain at a federated school academy level. Balancing MAT Finance and People Management services execution is pivotal to deliver efficient growth, provide the best experiences moving forward and resulting in the most efficient leveraging of technology innovations.

At de Novo Solutions, we assist our MAT clients in fulfilling their ambitions for effective growth by providing expert advice on modern cloud-based digital technology transformation supporting the critical delivery of MAT-wide people and finance management services modernization. Our six-step growth planner will help MATA readers plan and execute effective conversations when exploring growth.

Developing a Unified Vision Across Academies

Ensure all academies within the MAT participate in the formulation and understanding of a unified vision that spans the complete organization. The vision is essential to guide all growth-related decisions. The vision should establish value markers (see the efficiency and utilization targets below), and through regular communication, the MAT’s vision is shared with stakeholders, including staff, pupils, and parents to foster vision adoption along with progression monitoring markers

Operational Efficiency

KPI: Cost per Student

Below Average Savings: 3-5% (low of £142,200)
Average Savings: 5-10%
Above Average Savings: 10-15% (high of £711,000)

Example: A MAT spends £5,000 per student annually. Below average savings would result in savings of £150-£250 per student Average savings would result in savings of £250-£500 per student Above average savings would result in savings of £500-£750 per student.

Multiplier is 948. 948 is average number of pupils per secondary school (Department for Education (DfE) for the academic year 2022/2023

Resource Utilisation

KPI: Utilisation Rate of Shared Resources

Below Average Savings: 5-10% (low of £SOK)
Average Savings: 10-15%
Above Average Savings: 15-20% (high of £200K+)

Example: A MAT annual budget for shared resources is £1m. Below average savings would result in savings of £50K-£100K. Average savings would result in savings of £100K-£150K. Above average savings would result in savings of £1S0K-£200K+. 

Tailoring Growth Strategies to Address Specific Need

Identify specific needs and gaps across the MAT organisation to tailor and right-size the growth strategy. Establishing priorities and goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) will lead to effective strategic goal progress monitoring. Growth plans must connect technology, process, and people alongside service delivery to deliver a flexible and resilient strategic framework that can accommodate expansion and innovation without compromising the quality of educational service experiences.

Enhancing Engagement and Learning Outcomes through Technology

Deploying robust People and Finance Management services will improve efficiency and transparency. Cloud-based technologies such as Oracle Cloud or ServiceNow are powerful and play a vital role in supporting growth and improvement of MAT operations. Process simplification, adopting leading delivered best practices, and harnessing Odyssea (de Novo Solutions MAT Industry ready solution) will help expedite delivery, reduce cost, and improve the efficiency of People and Finance Management services.

Collaborating for Realistic Growth Scenario Planning

Exploring and evaluating new technology will enhance engagement and improve learning outcomes for all. The delivery of quality, consistent experiences across academies and central services is important for successful People and Finance Management services. Growth plans that are enriched with structured, engaging, and personalised experiences will ensure the diverse and evolving needs of stakeholders are addressed, promoting MAT inclusivity and equal opportunities at every stage.

Work in partnership with other local MAT organisations to learn about their own digital transformation journey experiences will assist with realistic growth scenario planning. Providing regular communication across the community on academy and MAT growth ambition will continuously improve and strengthen flexible development strategies and help people understand the traction achieved and the distance on the journey that remains.

Embracing Digital Transformation for MATs

Conducting regular reviews on the plan for effective growth will assist in identifying areas for improvement, areas to be replicated and cascaded and those to be ended. Data and analytics will inform decision-making processes and measure the impact of growth. Feedback will assist with service improvement; help deliver course correction to ensure the navigation remains on path and arrives on time and on budget securing the right organisational outcomes for all.

To learn more about de Novo Solutions or our leading services that include: Odyssea™ for Multi-Academy Trusts -for’ fixed price, fixed scope, and fixed timescale digital transformations (People / HR Management, Payroll, Talent Management, Finance Management, Procurement, Financial Planning and Reporting) powered by Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technologies support service.  Or to explore Value as a Service™ (VaaS™) our managed support service that enables our MAT clients to maximise their Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technology investments using four dimensions to monitor value and benefit spanning – optimisation, efficiency, adoption and innovation.  Please visit: Odyssea™ for Multi-Academy Trusts or follow de Novo on Linkedin and Twitter.

Ready to embark on your journey to sustainable MAT growth?

Unlock MAT Excellence with Odyssea™

Experience Value as a Service™ (VaaS™)

LANGSTONE, South Wales — 10th June 2024 — de Novo Solutions, an award-winning leading Welsh digital transformation technology company specialising in the delivery of personalised data-driven digital experiences across Finance, Procurement, HR, and Payroll functions using Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow, proudly announces its partnership with the Great British Entrepreneur Awards as the sponsor of the Technology Entrepreneur of the Year category, showing commitment to recognising and supporting the next generation of technological innovators.

Mark Sweeny’s own entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience. Last year, he was honoured with the prestigious award, and this year, he returns as a partner to continue his support for the community that celebrated his achievements. His passion for fostering technological growth and his commitment to advancing the UK’s tech sector are clear in his dedication to recognising and nurturing talent within the industry.

Mark Sweeny, Founder and Chief Executive of de Novo Solutions, says: “The UK’s technology entrepreneurs are key to growing the British economy, and de Novo is proud to sponsor the Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award and recognise those individuals who are prepared to challenge the status quo, innovate and pioneer into the unknown to improve peoples’ lives, in doing so positively contributing to both the economy and the communities we live in.”

Francesca, Founder of The Great British Entrepreneur Awards says: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome de Novo Solutions as a partner for this year’s awards. Mark’s journey from award-winning entrepreneur to partner is incredibly inspiring. His vision aligns perfectly with our mission to champion entrepreneurs who are making significant contributions to their fields and communities. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to support and celebrate the innovative minds driving the technology sector forward.”

The Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award, now proudly supported by de Novo Solutions, aims to spotlight the brightest minds in the technology sector. This collaboration will not only honour outstanding achievements but also encourage more entrepreneurs to push the boundaries of innovation and drive economic growth.

For more information about the awards, please visit:  https://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com/.