Contact: Director of Change Portfolio

Service used: Contractor Managed Services 

Background: TRIA already had a great working relationship with Clarks as one of their lead suppliers when we approached them proposing a better way of working regarding their tech contract workforce.

The situation: Clarks had over 70 tech contractors onsite, all through 10+ suppliers. Each with unconsolidated terms and contracts, different degrees of compliance and without visibility of the fees they were being charged. With the approach of the IR35 reform in the private sector there was also a driver from the business to ensure Clarks would be compliant and have a robust response to the changes.

The approach: TRIA proposed a managed service for all tech contractors that would deliver significant cost savings, total control of the supply chain and compliance to IR35. Whilst still giving Clarks the quality of delivery that they needed to access the best tech talent in the market in a challenging location. All these things, coupled with our position as their best supplier in terms of quality of delivery, led TRIA to be awarded the contract.

TRIA led the programme to negotiate new consistent terms and sign up all incumbent suppliers to a compliant 2^nd tier. Transitioning their 70 contractors under the new managed service model, all to the tight timescales imposed by the impending IR35 changes deadline.

In addition, TRIA worked with the Clarks tech and tax leadership teams to build the necessary status determination process, IR35 complaint contracts, and guided them on the overall approach and working practices. We then worked hand in hand with the Clarks IR35 project team to ensure a smooth roll out.

Client comments: “We were fans of the ‘TRIA-way’ before we even commenced the supplier project. Their consultants are sector experts and recruiters, they are not salespeople. TRIA has always relied on peer recommendations and the quality of their work to generate business and develop trust with our hiring managers. They always deliver when they say they will, and if they can’t deliver, they are open and collaborative in exploring alternative options. It is this trust, more than anything, that led us to award them the managed service programme.”

The results: Following the successful roll out and transition, TRIA has delivered several cost-saving initiatives. And is enabling the successful delivery of some major transformation programmes, through the consistent delivery of high-quality tech talent via the managed service.

The quality of service and consistent delivery has resulted in Clarks also engaging TRIA to support with their permanent tech recruitment as an extension to the contract managed service.