Leisure Focus advances digital transformation with MHR’s People First
We’re delighted to announce a successful People First implementation for Leisure Focus, a fast-growing UK organisation that manages a diverse portfolio across leisure, media and training sectors.
Leisure Focus has selected MHR’s People First, an innovative HR and payroll platform designed to meet the unique and evolving needs of not-for-profit organisations.
The organisation was seeking a modern solution that could bring together HR and payroll into a single, integrated platform. Previously, Leisure Focus faced challenges caused by disconnected HR and payroll processes, while its legacy system lacked the user-friendly experience required by both administrators and employees.
People First was selected for its unified HR and payroll capabilities, UK-based support, and managed payroll service. Its intuitive user experience, mobile-first design, and regular updates ensure the platform continues to evolve alongside organisational needs. This makes it particularly well suited to the not-for-profit sector, where efficient systems and accessible support are critical for lean teams.
The new system will significantly improve day-to-day processes for employees by simplifying routine tasks and reducing manual administration. It will also ease the operational burden on HR and payroll teams, while giving senior leaders access to reliable, real-time workforce data and insights to support faster, more informed decision-making.
Kasuni Gankanda, HR Director, said: “The world of work is evolving rapidly, and organisations need technology that reflects the expectations of today’s workforce; modern, responsive, and people-centred. MHR’s People First aligns perfectly with our values of empowering people while delivering high-quality services. The managed payroll solution will also free our team from time-consuming manual administration, allowing us to focus more energy on our wider mission.”
MHR’s CEO, Anton Roe, added: “Technology has a critical role to play in helping organisations simplify complexity, improve operational efficiency and create better experiences for both employees and administrators. We’re delighted to be partnering with Leisure Focus as they take this important step in their digital transformation journey with People First, bringing HR and payroll together in a way that supports both their people and their long-term mission.”
This partnership reflects a wider shift across the not-for-profit sector towards using modern technology to improve operational efficiency and enhance the employee experience. For Leisure Focus, it marks an important step forward in embracing digital innovation to strengthen collaboration across teams and support long-term organisational growth.
