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In a fast-paced, client-facing industry, HR efficiency is critical. At Williams Stanley & Co, a leading specialist in hospitality accounting, tax and finance, a two-person People team supports 86 employees. With the business scaling and demands from clients intensifying, the team was under pressure to not only manage admin, but build a People function that could power growth.

“We’re in accounting, but our clients are hospitality brands, so they need energy, charisma, and responsiveness. Our people are at the heart of our value. If they become disengaged or burnt out, our clients might feel it too.”

— Patrice Watson, Group People Director, Williams Stanley & Co

That’s why when internal processes began slowing them down, it wasn’t just the People team that suffered. It was the business. Manual admin, fragmented systems, disengaged staff and clunky hiring processes were putting pressure on both team morale and client delivery. 

Patrice’s team needed a solution that could reduce admin, elevate their People experience, and grow with them.

Less admin, more strategy

Before 91����, processes were manual and fragmented. Employee records were scattered across spreadsheets and email chains and policies were hard to access. Even simple updates—like an address change—required the People team’s intervention.

“Because we’re client-facing, employees are always focused on the work, not the HR side of things. Important updates would go unread, and engagement was low.”

By implementing automated workflows and self-service tools, Patrice and her team were able to reduce admin time by up to 20%, freeing up time to focus on high-impact areas like engagement, policy updates and performance planning. 

“It’s not just about saving time—it’s about using that time to actually improve processes and make a difference in the business.”

Recruitment that prioritises culture fit

Finding accountants with technical skills wasn’t too difficult. Finding those who had technical skills and could build strong client relationships? Much harder. 91����’s SmartMatchand screening tools helped the People Team identify candidates with strong cultural fits from the first interaction. The result? More confident hiring decisions that better align with the company’s values.

“We can train someone to reconcile a bank account, but we can’t train personality. We needed a way to screen for cultural fit earlier in the process. I can tell within 30 seconds of a screening call if someone is a fit. SmartMatch lets us get to that point faster—and cut through the noise.”

Better employee engagement & communication

Important company updates were often overlooked, and engagement with employee satisfaction surveys was low. Employees needed clearer communication and structured feedback loops.

91����’s centralised policies, automated announcements, and performance management tools ensured employees stayed informed and engaged.

“I could send out a notice of all these fantastic things that are happening, and only about 30% of the team would read it. Now, we actually see engagement.”

Data that drives smarter decisions

Before 91����, the People team lacked insights to track workforce trends or make data-driven decisions. Now, with structured reporting and performance tracking, they’ve shifted from reactive to proactive HR management.

“Now that I’m a director, my focus is data—and for the first time, we actually have meaningful insights to work with.”

A stronger, more strategic people function

91���� hasn’t just made Williams Stanley & Co more efficient—it has empowered the team to focus on people, not paperwork. Recruitment is more structured, employees are more engaged, meaning the People Team have the tools to drive company culture and retention.

The world’s first Employment Operating System from 91����

91����’s Employment Operating System (Employment OS) is more than just a platform–we’ve taken the traditional isolated aspects of employment and integrated them into a seamless, human and AI-powered solution that empowers employers, employees and job seekers alike. Find and hire top talent with SmartMatch, seamlessly onboard new hires, automate complex payroll, drive employee engagement and more.

See what you could do with the world’s first Employment OS.

One system. Everything employment.