The Goal
The goal of implementing OneStream at Old Mutual was to create a single, trusted source of financial information across the organisation. The programme was part of a broader finance and tax modernisation effort to replace outdated systems, manual processes, and heavy reliance on spreadsheets. OneStream brings financial reporting, planning, budgeting, and forecasting into one platform, improving data accuracy, reporting efficiency, and governance. Ultimately, the aim was to create a more efficient and insight-driven Finance function that could better support business decision-making.
Strategic Insights
A key success factor of the programme was the strong partnership between the project team, business stakeholders, sponsors, and the change agent network. When I joined the programme, it was already three years into a five-year transformation journey. Strong sponsorship helped create visibility, build confidence, and reinforce the importance of the change, while the change network played an important role in gathering feedback and driving engagement across the business.
The implementation was a significant investment by Old Mutual in modernising Finance and Tax. Existing systems and processes had become outdated, resulting in manual workarounds, inefficiencies, and a heavy dependence on spreadsheets. While the new solution offered many benefits, the programme also faced challenges, including resistance to change, competing priorities, varying levels of change readiness, and change fatigue from other ongoing initiatives.
To support adoption, the team focused on targeted communications, training, stakeholder engagement, leadership coaching, and continuous feedback. The programme reinforced the importance of strong leadership, clear communication, and ensuring people understood not just what was changing, but why the change mattered.
One of the biggest lessons from the programme was that even a good solution can be difficult to sell when leaders do not fully see the value or when the organisation is changing strategic direction. Large transformation programmes require commitment, patience, and often short-term sacrifices before the benefits are realised.
During these periods, it was important to stay focused on the end goal, continue reinforcing the benefits, and engage stakeholders at every opportunity. Consistent messaging, strong sponsorship, and a clear link between the change and business outcomes are key to maintaining momentum and driving long-term success.
“I had the pleasure of working closely with Caroline on a large and complex Finance and Tax transformation programme, included the implementation of OneStream EPM. She is a highly strategic change leader who works exceptionally well with senior stakeholders, while never losing sight of how change is experienced by the people expected to make it work.
Caroline is particularly strong in complex and ambiguous environments, bringing clarity, sound judgement and pragmatism when there is no obvious playbook. She builds trust quickly and is able to challenge constructively, navigate difficult conversations and help leaders move from intent to action. She also genuinely cares about the teams she works with and creates an environment where people feel supported through demanding periods of change.
I would highly recommend Caroline to any organisation undertaking significant transformation.”
– Kate Hindle, Finance Director Group Finance Old Mutual
