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MHR secures major education partnership for People First with Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools
MHR is delighted to announce a major new partnership with Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools, who have selected People First as their fully integrated HR and Payroll solution. This milestone reflects People First’s growing significance and value across the education sector.
Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools are among the country’s most respected independent institutions. Set on a 100-acre campus in Elstree and educating pupils aged four to 18, they are renowned for academic excellence, character development and a strong commitment to community. Their alumni include well-known figures such as Sacha Baron Cohen and Matt Lucas.
With approximately 700 staff, the schools sought to move away from multiple platforms in favour of a single, unified solution. Their goal was to consolidate HR and payroll, improve the accessibility of reliable data and support a seamless hire-to-retire experience. Head of Talent, Ian Harding, previously used MHR technology and recognised the advantages of a single-database system and the efficiency it brings.
Ian commented, “We were looking for a partner that could bring our HR and payroll processes together in a way that is intuitive, reliable and efficient. People First stood out because it gives us confidence in the accuracy of our data and removes the need for specialist reporting skills. Bringing our entire employee journey into one system will transform how we operate.”
MHR is equally enthusiastic about the partnership.
Steven Ball, Public Sector Sales Director at MHR added, “We are thrilled to support Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools as they modernise and streamline their HR and payroll operations. People First is designed to give organisations clarity, efficiency and confidence in their data, and we look forward to working closely with the schools to deliver a solution that supports their long-term objectives.”
As part of the project, People First will also provide advanced recruitment capabilities aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, including structured reference requests, background check records, and employment gap tracking, all designed to improve compliance and safeguard best practice.
With a target go-live of April 2026, MHR is excited to support Habs’ continued commitment to excellence.
