How we’re helping

Ciphr is the go-to HR and payroll software and solutions partner for medium and large organisations in the UK. Its integrated HR, payroll, employee benefits, learning and recruitment software, services and content provide invaluable insights to HR teams, helping to inform their people strategy and grow and develop their organisations. Ciphr is on a mission to amplify the voice and value of HR through intelligent people data solutions that help HR be heard – in the boardroom and across the business.

Ciphr has its headquarters in Reading. More than 230 employees work across the group, which includes Ciphr and Avantus.

 

Sales & marketing:

  • ECI is supporting Ciphr in its plans to develop new solutions, broaden its partner offering and to deliver products and services that help its customers to manage the employee lifecycle more effectively.
  • Ciphr launched a new brand identity and vision, putting people management professionals at the centre of its new look and narrative, representing their people-first approach. 

Technology and infrastructure:

  • ECI is working alongside the Ciphr team to upgrade the technical architecture and infrastructure to improve resilience, security, and scalability, positioning the business for future growth.

Strategic acquisitions:

  • ECI’s origination team has worked closely with management to support its acquisitive strategy and deliver full market visibility. Since investment, the business has acquired Shape, a cloud-based payroll platform, Avantus, an employee benefits platform, and Marshalls, a specialist provider of diversity and inclusion online learning.

People & culture:

  • We invested extensively in the leadership team, bringing in exceptional expertise across the C-suite. This included new CEO, Sion Lewis, as part of a planned succession.
  • With ECI support Ciphr became accredited as a Living Wage Employer in 2021. In 2025, Ciphr was named Employer of the Year at the Thames Valley Tech and Innovation Awards. It was also included in the 2025 edition of the Thames Valley 250, an annual ranking that celebrates the top privately-owned business in the region, listed by annual sales turnover.
  • In summer 2025, Claire Hawes (Williams), chief people and operations officer at Ciphr, was included in the inaugural CIPD HR30 list – a new annual award that celebrates senior people professionals who have shown exceptional leadership and commitment to the profession
  • In spring 2025, Ciphr joined the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme and pledged its commitment to support staff affected by the condition and to raise awareness.
  • In summer 2024, Ciphr was awarded People Development Partner (PDP) status by the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development. At the time, just 21 UK organisations had achieved PDP status, and Ciphr was the first HR tech company to achieve this standard of excellence.

 

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