Platform Housing Group appoints EY to reshape its finance function

Platform Housing Group (Platform) has appointed EY and its in-house consultancy capability, EY Microsoft Services Group, to reshape its finance function.

EY will be responsible for consolidating the housing association’s technology systems and implementing Dynamics 365 Finance following the formation of Platform, which was created after a merger in 2018.

Platform is one of the largest housing associations in the Midlands and one of the top 15 nationally, with a portfolio of over 47,000 homes, including social and affordable rent and shared ownership properties. It has ambitions to double in size over the next five years.

The new system will allow Platform to deliver improved customer and employee experiences with a focus on data quality and financial insights utilising dashboards with real-time data. It will also involve a transition to a Cloud based service, improving technology security and ease of access for employees and suppliers.

James Downes, Partner, Technology Consulting at EY commented: “The combined efforts of Platform and our Housing sector focused team will help accelerate outcomes and drive innovation and modernisation efforts through Microsoft technologies. This will help solve complex challenges across the finance function to improve outcomes, now and in the future”

“EY and Microsoft are uniquely positioned to empower housing associations with technology, alongside the depth and breadth of knowledge of service lines and demonstrable strong social values.”

Rosemary Farrar, Platform Housing Group, CFO, comments: “At Platform, we’re committed to continually investing into our communities and technology to create great places to live so we’re excited to begin the journey with EY Microsoft Services Group. This technology transformation project will enable us to focus on delivering excellence across our products and outcomes and will lay the foundation to reshape and futureproof our finance function on a platform for growth and innovation.”

Platform has engaged the Programme Director services of Craig Barber, Future of Finance Consulting: “Our programme team has been working hard behind the scenes in readiness of the financial transformation, helping EY to hit the ground running, with dedicated change management to ensure we embed leading practices and place people at the centre. The EY Microsoft Services Group has experience from across the housing and finance sectors and we’re already seeing the benefits of their knowledge, skills and experience, enabling improved ways of working to support colleagues, customers and partners, alike.”

Peter Hao, Director, Technology Consulting at EY added: “It has been a pleasure collaborating with the team at Platform, we’re excited to continue our work to help this innovative brand transform its finance function”.