Background
GfK is a global market research and data analytics company. Following significant private equity investment, experienced technology officer Ben Jones joined as Group CTO with a clear mandate: transform GfK from a traditional market research firm into a big data and analytics technology platform.
Ben came to La Fosse for help building a new digital transformation unit that would take their technology from a back-room function to a strategic business tool for future growth.
The challenge
GfK needed to build an entirely new capability from the ground up. This was not simply a hiring exercise but a strategic transformation requiring the right leadership to scope requirements, design the platform, and then assemble the teams to deliver it.
The scale was significant, spanning multiple technology specialisms and requiring a phased approach that could flex as the programme evolved. GfK needed a partner who could advise on strategy, supply talent at pace, and stay the course as requirements changed.
The solution
We started with leadership. Our initial focus was finding the interim team GfK needed to gather requirements and define the platform vision. This included two interim Directors of Engineering to oversee design, planning, and delivery.
With senior leadership in place, GfK established their build approach and we supported them in finding the best people to make it happen. We supplied and deployed cross-functional teams skilled in Java, React, Kubernetes, and Spring Boot, delivering monthly sprints focused on architecture, backend and frontend processes, and mobile optimisation.
We built these teams through our bench of La Fosse contractors, then shifted focus to permanent hires to ensure GfK had the long-term capability they needed.
Results
Over an 18-month period, we made more than 165 placements across contract and permanent positions, covering every tech specialism from engineering, architecture, and infrastructure to security, data, product, and design. Our teams delivered a highly successful platform while supporting the wider transformation programme.
We continue to work closely with GfK on key projects and have become a true strategic partner.
