Case study: Scaling a finance shared service centre in Scotland for a global travel group

Hays partnered with a global travel organisation to scale a finance shared service centre in Scotland, building sustainable talent pipelines to support long term operational growth.
 

Overview 

A global travel group undergoing significant transformation set out to consolidate multiple international finance teams into a single global hub in Port Glasgow. The programme was designed to support long-term efficiency, consistency and growth  across the group’s expanding portfolio of brands.

Challenge 

The programme faced several challenges that risked slowing delivery and limiting access to talent. Prior to Hays’ involvement, uncompetitive salaries and lack of initial hybrid working models reduced candidate engagement, while location and scale added further complexity to an already ambitious transformation.
 

Key challenges included:

• Rapid scaling:
  Hiring demand accelerated from an initial 60 roles to over 100 as additional global brands migrated into the shared service centre. 

• Salary positioning:
  Below market salary benchmarks reduced early candidate engagement and attraction.

• Location reach:
  The new site location narrowed the commuter talent pool, with this challenge compounded by the initial absence of hybrid working options.

Solution

Hays delivered a high-impact solution underpinned by our unique combination of local market expertise, specialist finance capability and national scale. Acting as a strategic partner rather than a transactional supplier, we provided real-time advisory support that reshaped the client’s approach and unlocked access to wider talent pools.

We corrected below market salary positioning, advised on the earlier introduction of hybrid working, and strengthened employer value proposition messaging to improve candidate engagement. 

A scalable, multichannel sourcing strategy was deployed, leveraging Hays’ extensive finance candidate network alongside premium digital channels and targeted marketing activity. Alongside this, we partnered with the University of the West of Scotland to engage early career talent aligned to the organisation’s shift towards skills-based hiring. 

Delivery was underpinned by a local account management model, supported by Hays’ national finance and professional services capability.

Outcome 

The programme is delivering strong results and continues to scale in line with the organisation’s transformation:

• 51 finance roles successfully filled to date, with a further nine roles at interview stage, placing delivery ahead of initial expectations
• A fully operational finance shared service centre established in Port Glasgow to support global consolidation
• Improved attraction and engagement, following revised salary positioning and the introduction of hybrid working
• Strong, sustainable talent pipelines now in place, including early career talent aligned to a skills based hiring approach
• Agency support consolidated with Hays, following limited delivery elsewhere, establishing a trusted, ongoing partnership as the shared service centre continues to evolve

Scaling a finance shared service centre or consolidating operations?

Speak to our accountancy and finance recruitment specialists to access scalable support, build sustainable talent pipelines, and deliver finance transformation at pace.
 

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