The Plan Group Scales HR Tech Partnership with MHR to Automate Payroll and Compliance

Quick Summary

The Plan Group has expanded its partnership with MHR to integrate automated payroll systems into its existing HR infrastructure. By adopting the People First platform, the insurance brokerage has reduced administrative labor by eight hours monthly while ensuring strict compliance with evolving UK employment regulations for its hybrid workforce.

How Does Automated Payroll Systems Improve Brokerage Efficiency?

Automated payroll systems serve as a critical tool for insurance brokerages looking to scale without increasing administrative headcount. By migrating payroll to the People First platform, The Plan Group has successfully eliminated manual errors and streamlined internal reporting. The integration allows for real-time payslip queries, which empowers the 62-person team to manage their own financial wellbeing while reducing the burden on the HR department.

• 8 hours saved in monthly administrative tasks.
• Real-time visibility for employees over pay and benefits.
• Single-source truth for HR policies and company updates.

What Role Does HR Tech Play in Regulatory Compliance?

For firms operating under the heavy regulatory load of the insurance sector, technology acts as a buffer against shifting legal requirements. The Plan Group utilizes MHR’s platform to navigate the Employment Rights Act and other statutory obligations seamlessly. This digital-first approach ensures that multi-site hybrid teams in Surrey and South Wales remain aligned with corporate governance standards without requiring constant manual oversight.

"We’ve been using People First for the last six years, and now we’re using People First Payroll, it’s completely changed the way we share information with our workforce. We’d become used to a complicated system and not quite receiving the support we needed given our multi-location business, but now everything is in one place, and most importantly, we’ve got a smooth process in place for our employees. People First is regularly mentioned as the reason they feel kept in the loop, and we’re thrilled that it’s made such a difference in how supported everyone feels." said Susie Wilson, Head of HR and Risk at The Plan Group.

How Does MHR Support Hybrid Workforce Connectivity?

Maintaining employee engagement levels across distributed offices is a primary challenge for modern SMEs. MHR’s People First platform replaces fragmented internal emails with a centralized newsfeed, fostering a sense of community between the Surrey and South Wales locations. This connectivity is vital for retaining specialist talent in niche commercial and personal insurance lines, where institutional knowledge is a key competitive advantage.

"The Plan Group's experience shows how the right technology can support an SME through business growth and change, giving leadership the visibility they need, connecting a hybrid workforce, and freeing up HR teams to focus on people rather than process. It’s been a big year for HR and payroll teams as they navigate a whole set of new rules and regulations, and for The Plan Group, we know this is added onto the compliance requirements they already face as an insurance brokerage. We’re proud to provide them with a helpful hand to manage these changes, and keep their workforce engaged no matter where they’re based." said Anton Roe, CEO at MHR.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This expansion highlights a growing trend where automated payroll systems are no longer just back-office tools but essential components of operational resilience. For the insurance industry, where compliance is non-negotiable, MHR’s ability to consolidate HR and payroll into a single pane of glass moves the needle by allowing brokerages to focus on risk advisory rather than paperwork. It is a pragmatic, high-impact digital transformation for the SME sector.