The Corporate Services Committee convened to discuss the Programme Sapphire Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) update report. The committee noted the report, highlighting the progress of Wave 2 (HR) modules, alignment with Ambition 2025, and the acceleration of change and communications engagement.

Programme Sapphire (ERP) Update

The committee received an update on the Programme Sapphire ERP, a project to replace the City of London Corporation's legacy systems for HR, payroll, and finance. The new ERP solution aims to modernise technology, promote self-service for employees, provide access to real-time information, and enable informed business decisions.

The update covered progress across three waves:

• Wave 1: The Learning Management Solution (LMS) is fully operational. Performance Management and Goal Management (PMGM) went live in May 2026, with a focus on entering goals for 2025/26. Recruitment went live in June 2025, with data provided on applications, conversion rates, and time between key stages.
• Wave 2: Progress is currently marked as Amber, with payroll activities separated to align with Ambition 25¹. The design for SuccessFactors is complete with some exceptions.
  • Occupational Health is in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and progressing as planned for December 2025.
  • For the HR Service Desk, the Corporation will evaluate an alternative product to ensure compliance with requirements, due to SAP sunsetting their existing product.
  • Employee Health & Safety workshops are complete, and the solution is moving into the build phase, with a Go-Live date to be confirmed.
  • Payroll options are being evaluated to support both Sapphire and Ambition 25 plans, with current payroll having successfully undergone System Integration Testing and UAT having started.
• Wave 3: Finance and Budget Management/Forecasting

The programme has deployed the OrgManager tool for a dynamic representation of the City hierarchy to resolve data issues. Quality Assurance reviews are being undertaken across the solution by SAP. A leadership day is planned at the SAP office in September to highlight transformation opportunities and ensure alignment with the HR service.

The programme is utilising WalkMe as part of the SAP solution to provide personalized, in-app guidance and streamline tasks. A Viva Engage Community has been launched to share updates and gain engagement.

The overall budget forecast remains unchanged at £19.4 million, with a costed risk provision of £8.6 million.

Previous meeting minutes

The committee approved the public minutes and non-public summary of the Corporate Services Committee meeting on 18 June 2025, and noted the draft public minutes of the Joint Consultative Committee meeting on 12 June 2025.