Delivery expert leadership for complex Financial Services change and transformation
The delivery challenge in Financial Services Financial Services organisations are balancing Consumer Duty maturity, operational resilience requirements, accelerating digital transformation, and legacy modernisation, all under sustained cost and risk pressure. Regulation has shifted. It is no longer enough to design compliant frameworks anymore, organisations must now demonstrate outcomes, evidence effectiveness and embed change into day-to-day operations. At the same time, firms are operating in a landscape that demands both growth and control, with regulators pushing for greater competitiveness while maintaining strong expectations around stability, governance and consumer protection. Operational resilience is now firmly in force and organisations must prove they can maintain critical services within defined tolerances, not just plan for disruption. Technology, data and AI are central to how organisations deliver change, manage risk and demonstrate regulatory credibility.
Evolving market dynamics
Financial Services organisations are also navigating significant shifts in customer behaviour, competition and market structure: Digital demand vs financial inclusion Retail customers expect seamless, digital-first experiences powered by apps, AI and cloud. At the same time, regulators and consumer groups are pushing for financial inclusion of elderly and vulnerable customers, creating tension, particularly for traditional banks with physical networks. Growth of open banking and platform competition Open Banking is accelerating competition from fintechs, enabling more personalised, data-driven services and faster, lower-cost payment alternatives. This is driving a shift from banks as product providers to platform-based business models. Increased customer price sensitivity Sustained high interest rates have made customers more engaged and willing to switch providers, increasing pressure on banks to innovate, differentiate and retain customers through better experience and value.
Key realities: Regulation is outcome-based, not intent-based
Transformation must deliver value, not just compliance Control frameworks must enable speed, not slow it down Technology and data underpin both delivery and regulation.
“I wanted to share how brilliant Project One has been to work with and what incredible value they added, from setting up new frameworks and processes, initiating critical programmes, supporting multiple teams with change and transformation expertise, op models, commercial frameworks and lots more.” Director Financial Services
These shifts are not just strategic, they are placing unprecedented pressure on how change is delivered.
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We work at the top of your change and transformation programme
Programme Management: Translating your strategy into an executable portfolio and roadmap Mobilising and driving all moving parts of the resulting delivery Providing independent assurance to remain on-track Recovering programmes that are off-track. Change Management: Building a compelling case and a vision for the change Agreeing the impacts of change across the organisation Our people are highly experienced and laser focused on delivery. We cover the PPM, Change Management and PMO disciplines but are not limited to this. We have the maturity to understand what is required to deliver a programme successfully and the flexibility to do what is necessary.
Introducing Project One
At Project One, we deliver complex, business-critical transformation across financial services, where digital, regulatory and technology change must land at pace and with precision. Value is only realised when strategy is translated into clear execution across large-scale programmes. Working customer-side in small, senior teams, we provide embedded leadership at the core of complex initiatives, bringing deep sector expertise and trusted challenge to drive outcomes with confidence. We bring a minimum of 15 years’ experience, deep sector expertise and Financial Times-recognised credibility to drive change that lasts. We focus on what makes transformation succeed: Clear leadership alignment and decision-making at scale Engaging stakeholders across regulated environments Building lasting capability within the organisation Delivering while maintaining control, quality and compliance.
Planning and orchestrating the changes required Realising the benefits and embedding the change.
Programme Management Office: Defining the required governance and control processes Assessing maturity of existing capability Designing, building and implementing the controls Leading and running the Programme Management Office.
Defence
Recognised as the #1 Boutique
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Energy
Aviation
Financial Services
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Healthcare
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From challenges to confident delivery
1. Regulatory demands continue to evolve alongside growing reliance on data, AI and third parties Delivery becomes reactive, with limited visibility, unclear accountability and increased risk exposure. We align programmes to regulatory outcomes, embedding governance, data control and supplier oversight into delivery. Outcome: Reduced risk, clear accountability and no late-stage surprises
“Your approach to stakeholder management kept everyone calm and focused. You weren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves and that approach helped coalesce everyone and get things started … I am very grateful for the support and have been impressed to watch you work.” Director Financial Services
2. Legacy technology and technical debt constrain change Complex systems slow delivery, increase cost and introduce operational risk. We drive pragmatic, incremental modernisation aligned to platform- based models. Outcome: Faster progress without destabilising core systems
3. Operating models are fragmented and governance is overly complex Decision-making is slow, duplicated and inconsistent, reducing pace and accountability. We design integrated operating models and streamline governance structures. Outcome: Faster decisions with clear ownership and maintained control
5. Margin pressure and cost-to-serve limit investment flexibility Transformation programmes struggle to demonstrate value and maintain executive confidence. We lead value-driven delivery with clear benefits definition, tracking and accountability. Outcome: Stronger ROI and confidence in investment decisions
4. Organisations lack the capacity and capability to sustain continuous change and transformation Skills gaps and change fatigue lead to delivery risk, low adoption and over-reliance on vendors. We provide experienced delivery leadership while embedding people-centred change and building internal capability. Outcome: Stronger execution, higher adoption and reduced dependency
6. Competition from fintechs is accelerating the pace of change Transformation must be delivered faster, increasing pressure on teams and execution risk. We bring disciplined, outcome-focused delivery to complex programmes Outcome: Accelerated transformation with reduced delivery risk
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What we see: Rapid acquisition without structured integration Limited experience managing multi-partner delivery ecosystems Platform transformation (CRM, ERP, adviser platforms) under-managed SMEs unable to step away from business-as-usual Consolidation, integration and control. Wealth Management continues to see high levels of consolidation, driven by private equity-backed growth strategies and a highly fragmented market. Wealth firms are also responding to increasing client expectations for digital-first experiences, adding further pressure to modernise platforms and service models. However, integration, not acquisition, is now the defining challenge. Control environments weakening under volume of change Programmes failing to meet time, cost and scope targets. How Project One supports: We provide the delivery leadership Wealth firms need to bring multi-partner change under control and integrate platforms at pace, establishing governance, alignment and accountability across business, risk and technology to stabilise programmes and strengthen control environments. Project One enables SMEs to step out of BAU while building capability to sustain change. Spotlight on: Wealth Management
“I have been highly impressed with Project One’s skills and experience and feel they’ve made a significant contribution to the success of the programme and where we are now. Project One got themselves up to speed in record time and was very quick to start adding value and helping me wrestle the programme into a better place.” Transformation Director UK Regulated Health Insurer
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Operating Model & Customer Outcomes Project One helps financial services organisations redesign and deliver operating models that improve control, reduce cost and enable better customer outcomes. We focus on aligning business, technology and change delivery to create scalable, efficient operations to support digital-first services, stronger governance and improved customer experience. These case studies show how we translate operating model design into tangible outcomes, from platform modernisation to embedding new ways of working at scale.
Regulatory & Business Critical Programmes Financial institutions are under constant pressure to deliver regulatory and business-critical programmes at pace, often within complex, high-risk environments. We provide the delivery leadership needed to bring these programmes under control, aligning stakeholders, strengthening governance and ensuring outcomes are achieved within time, cost and regulatory expectations. These case studies demonstrate how we stabilise and deliver high-priority programmes, from regulatory change to large-scale transformation initiatives.
Delivered a cloud-first IT transformation, establishing a new operating model and strategic partner to modernise and stabilise services. Reduced risk, strengthened security, and enabled a clear, prioritised roadmap for a more efficient, future-ready IT function.
Defined and delivered a digital-first Target Operating Model, transforming customer experience through new processes, platform integration. Increased market share, reduced operating costs, and enabled seamless, efficient digital interactions for customers.
Transformed supplier risk into a strategic strength by embedding a robust SRM framework, cleansing contract data and upskilling contract owners. Increased visibility, strengthened governance, and enabled proactive management of critical supplier relationships.
Led the design of an EU-wide Open Banking solution, aligning legal, compliance, business and technology teams through strong governance. Enabled secure, scalable and fully compliant third-party access in line with evolving regulatory requirements.
Established a clear, scalable change operating model and governance to bring control to a fragmented portfolio. Increased leadership visibility, reduced risk, and enabled more effective, prioritised delivery of change.
Reset and successfully embedded Consumer Duty through decisive programme leadership, aligning stakeholders and delivering across all workstreams at pace. Closed audit findings, resolved Board misalignment, and drove lasting cultural adoption across ~2,000 colleagues.
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Delivered a digital-first customer comms strategy, selecting a strategic partner to modernise template management and reduce paper-based interactions. Lowered operational costs while enabling a clear roadmap for customer preferences and more scalable digital engagement.
Delivered $15m in savings, bringing structure and control to a complex change portfolio through disciplined reporting and order book management. Enabled greater strategic alignment and visibility, shaping a $1.3bn demand portfolio to better support business priorities.
Governance, Control & Portfolio Performance We help financial services organisations regain control of complex change portfolios, bringing structure, visibility and accountability to high-value programmes. As portfolios scale, governance and reporting often become fragmented, slowing decision-making, increasing risk and reducing confidence in delivery. Project One provides the leadership and control needed to prioritise effectively, align stakeholders and maintain pace. These case studies demonstrate how we establish strong governance, improve portfolio visibility and enable consistent, outcome-focused delivery at scale.
Rescued and restructured a stalled programme, restoring leadership alignment and prioritising delivery to regain momentum. Successfully delivered go-live within months, demonstrating the impact of decisive programme leadership and focused stakeholder engagement.
Led the transition to Agile delivery, establishing integrated plans, governance and aligned ways of working to strengthen operational resilience. Reduced change risk and improved scalability, ensuring critical services remain secure, stable and ready for future demand.
Established an enterprise PMO that brought visibility, structure and control across a complex merger and separation change portfolio. Strengthened governance and decision- making while building internal capability to enable consistent, scalable delivery.
Established a clear portfolio prioritisation model and strengthened delivery capability through Agile adoption and targeted improvements. Improved executive alignment and predictability, enabling more confident, consistent delivery of change.
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At Project One, we translate complex strategy, technology and operating models into clear, executable outcomes that deliver real business value. We work alongside leaders to bring structure, pace and control to transformation, ensuring programmes land effectively and deliver measurable results. Our approach combines strong governance, practical delivery discipline and informed challenge to navigate complexity, strengthen decision- making and drive sustained outcomes across large-scale initiatives. We operate as experienced change leaders, not additional layers of delivery, focusing on clarity over complexity, and insight over volume.
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enquiries@projectone.com projectone.com
A simple next step
Are you ready to deliver with pace, control and confidence? Whether responding to regulation, modernising platforms, or stabilising complex portfolios, Project One brings the leadership needed to deliver outcomes that stick. If you’d like to hear more, or simply need a sounding board, contact us on 01477 544 462 or email enquiries@projectone.com.
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