Why are so many HR teams still stuck with spreadsheets, disconnected systems, and manual processes? Isn’t it time for HR to catch up with the rest of the digital enterprise?
That’s the challenge ELMO Software set out to solve. Founded in Sydney in 2002 by Danny Lessem and Manuel Garber, ELMO began as a learning platform and has since grown into one of the most trusted cloud-based HRIS providers across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. With more than 3,000 organisations and 2 million users on its platform, ELMO has built a reputation for helping mid-sized companies simplify the full hire-to-retire journey.
What Makes ELMO Different?
1. One Platform, Built to Scale
ELMO provides a modular, all-in-one solution for HR teams. Rather than locking you into a single, monolithic system, ELMO lets businesses choose the modules they need—then expand when ready. Whether it’s HR Core, Payroll, Recruitment, or Performance, it’s all under one roof and integrated seamlessly.
2. Designed for ANZ & UK Compliance
With built-in support for regional requirements like Single Touch Payroll (STP) in Australia, Superstream, and UK-specific HR regulations, ELMO gives peace of mind to HR and finance teams under pressure to stay compliant.
3. Cloud-First, Always-On
As a true SaaS solution, ELMO ensures rapid updates, secure access, and a consistently high-performing experience—without the clunky maintenance or manual updates legacy systems often require.
4. Modular Flexibility
The system is modular by design. That means companies can start small—say, with HR records and leave management—and gradually integrate onboarding, payroll, learning, or succession planning. This reduces disruption while future-proofing the business.
Led by Experts, Not Just Executives
ELMO’s leadership team is loaded with SaaS and HR tech veterans:
- Danny Lessem, Co-founder & CEO – the original visionary behind ELMO’s growth.
- James Haslam, CFO – brings strategic finance experience from tech and infrastructure sectors.
- Ross Jennings, CCO – leads all commercial strategy with deep SaaS knowledge.
- Gordon Holloway, CPO – oversees innovation and product design.
- James Court, CTO – ensures platform stability and engineering excellence.
- Joseph De Vries, CCO – responsible for customer success and retention.
- Leanne Ward, CHRO – leads ELMO’s internal people strategy, modelling its HR excellence internally.
Recent leadership moves, including the appointment of former Xero executive Joseph Lyons, signal an aggressive push into the UK mid-market, bringing seasoned experience in scaling across APAC and beyond.
ELMO’s Core Capabilities at a Glance
- HR Core: Employee data, leave, self-service, workforce analytics
- Payroll: Cloud-native, STP-compliant, with Superstream and ABA support
- Recruitment & Onboarding: Applicant tracking, automated workflows, digital contracts
- Performance Management: Goal-setting, 360 reviews, peer recognition, and succession planning
- Learning Management: 400+ courses, compliance reporting, custom content builder
What Are the Drawbacks?
No platform is perfect. Here are a few areas where ELMO faces challenges:
- Payroll Engine Not In-House: Payroll functionality is licensed via KeyPay, which can sometimes create integration friction.
- Mobile Admin Limitations: While employee-facing mobile functions are robust, some administrative features are restricted on mobile.
- Regional Focus: Strong in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK—but lacks a large US/global presence. However, leadership moves suggest this is changing.
- Modular Adoption Risk: While flexibility is a strength, inconsistent module uptake across a company can create uneven user experience and higher per-user cost.
Rotageek Joins the ELMO Group: A Strategic UK Expansion
In a bold move to deepen its footprint in the UK, ELMO Software has acquired Rotageek, a UK-based, app-driven workforce management and employee scheduling platform. Known for helping businesses optimize labour planning based on demand, Rotageek’s technology is a natural fit alongside ELMO Software UK and Breathe HR.
This acquisition is more than just expansion—it reflects ELMO’s growing commitment to delivering people-first, innovative HR solutions tailored to the UK market. With Rotageek onboard, ELMO strengthens its position as a leader in modern workforce management across mid-sized organisations.
So, Is ELMO Worth It?
For mid-sized organisations seeking a modern, compliant, and scalable HR solution, ELMO Software is a front-runner—especially in the Australasian and UK markets. It’s robust, modular, and designed with local HR teams in mind.
While some global platforms force you to adapt to their system, ELMO adapts to yours—and grows with you.