Case study

PA's work for Barclays

Human Resources Category - MCA Awards

Position:
Winner

Year:
2003

PA worked with Barclays to implement an in-house HR shared service centre (SSC). Not only has the SSC met its financial targets a year ahead of schedule but it has also given Barclays’ line managers and employees a single point of contact for all HR queries.

"PA understood what an HR shared services centre could do and brought the experience and expertise to help us make it a reality"

Malcolm Hill, HR Shared Services Director, Barclays

What the Guardian newspaper said

'In 2000 Barclays Bank came to the decision that it needed to overhaul its decentralised HR function. This was spurred by measures introduced by new CEO Matt Barrett, for strategic flexibility, improved control and cost containment. PA Consulting Group was commissioned to assist with the design and implementation of this major change.

The ensuing project lasted 18 months. Malcolm Hill, HR shared service director at Barclays, comments that this was made manageable by getting the brief right in the first instance. "The nature of the relationship we had with PA Consulting was a partnership, with Barclays driving the change through. Jonathon Hogg, the member of PA's management group responsible for the project, agrees. "PA integrated itself successfully. It was a joint achievement but throughout, Barclays retained ownership of the change."'

6 February 2003