Q&A: How Equiniti's Robert Bloor balances growth and transformation

This interview was conducted on December 11, on the side lines of Workday Rising’s EMEA conference. 

It’s a cold December morning in Amsterdam, and the halls of the Workday Rising EMEA conference are bustling with conversations. Finance and technology leaders from across the region exchange ideas, their discussions weaving together visions of transformation and resilience.

Among them is Robert Bloor, Group Financial Controller at Equiniti, reflecting on a year of remarkable growth and the steps his team has taken to future-proof the business in an unpredictable economic climate. Seated just beyond the buzz of the main Expo, Bloor is candid about the challenges and successes that have shaped Equiniti’s journey. “The last five years have been the most unpredictable I’ve ever seen,” he says, acknowledging the complexity of leading a financial services business in a landscape defined by constant change. Yet, the company has thrived—delivering 60% EBITDA growth in 2023 and positioning itself for a third consecutive year of expansion.

For Bloor, much of this success lies in Equiniti’s ability to adapt quickly, driven by a clear strategy and the effective use of technology. From leveraging Workday’s platform to streamline global financial operations to embracing a data-driven culture that supports better decision-making, the finance leader has guided the organisation through a transformation that’s as strategic as it is operational. “You don’t always get it right,” Bloor admits, “but the key is to learn quickly and adjust.”

As the conference session bells chime in the distance, Bloor’s reflections underline a central theme: in finance, change isn’t just constant—it’s a given. And for Equiniti, navigating that change has meant finding strength in collaboration, clarity in strategy, and confidence in the systems they’ve built.

Building resilience in an uncertain world

Over the past five years, Equiniti has faced an operating environment that Bloor describes as anything but predictable. “You have to prepare for scenarios A, B, C, and beyond,” he says. For a company that operates on long-term contracts in a niche market, this means maintaining a sharp focus on efficiency and adaptability, even as external factors shift rapidly.

While macroeconomic pressures have challenged many businesses, Equiniti has demonstrated resilience through disciplined cost management and a keen ability to seize opportunities. For example, higher interest rates—a challenge for many—have provided an unexpected tailwind for the company’s cash-generating operations, enabling reinvestment in growth areas. “We’ve benefited from a level of good fortune,” Bloor acknowledges, “but we’ve worked hard to ensure we’re leveraging that advantage effectively.”

One of the company’s key strategies has been optimising its operational footprint. By relocating high-cost activities from the US to its Indian offices, Equiniti has not only reduced costs but also maintained service quality. A team of 150 finance professionals in Chennai forms the backbone of this initiative, supported by technology that ensures smooth integration and high performance.

This strategic clarity has paid off, with Equiniti achieving huge EBITDA growth and a 15% revenue increase in 2023—growth that is entirely organic. For Bloor, these results reflect the company’s ability to stay agile and focused, even in a market that rarely makes headlines. “We’ve built a framework that allows us to adapt without losing sight of our long-term goals,” he explains.

Technology as a catalyst

For Equiniti, technology has been more than a tool. When the company acquired a US-based business in 2021, the integration posed significant challenges. “We were dealing with three different ledgers, a tight transitional services agreement, and a need to provide immediate confidence to the finance team,” Bloor recalls. The solution? A robust system implementation anchored by Workday, which not only streamlined the integration process but also improved operational resilience.

Bloor is pragmatic about the role technology plays in Equiniti’s success. “Would we have been able to move the operations without technology? Yes. Would it have been as effective or as fast [using a system that wasn’t Workday]? Absolutely not.” He credits Workday with providing the flexibility and efficiency required to manage complex financial processes, describing it as “the opposite of clunky systems we’ve seen in the past.”

Beyond acquisitions, Workday has helped Equiniti embed efficiency into its day-to-day operations. The company leverages AI-powered functionalities to automate processes like purchase order requisitions, which predict cost centers and suppliers based on historical data. These automations save time while improving data accuracy—a critical requirement for a regulated business like Equiniti. “For AI to work effectively, it needs structured, reliable data,” Bloor explains. “That’s why we’ve invested heavily in frameworks that ensure data quality from the start.”

The establishment of a data office, complete with roles like data stewards and owners, has further enhanced Equiniti’s ability to harness its data. By shifting the focus from individual processes to the infrastructure that supports them, the company has created a foundation for more reliable reporting and smarter decision-making. “It’s about making data usable, not just accessible,” Bloor adds.

Learning to lead through transformation

Equiniti’s journey of growth and transformation has been as much about leadership as it has been about technology. “When you’re navigating change, the biggest challenge isn’t the systems—it’s ensuring clarity in roles, expectations, and outcomes,” Bloor reflects. The process of integrating new businesses and scaling operations globally has taught him and his team to think critically about how they approach risk, align teams, and deliver results.

One of the most important lessons, Bloor says, has been understanding the value of structure. From defining processes to establishing roles like global process owners and data stewards, Equiniti has built a foundation that balances flexibility with control. “The success of any transformation depends on having a clear framework,” he explains. “It’s about setting the right expectations while leaving room to adjust as needed.”

Risk management has also been a central theme. Whether integrating new systems or automating processes, Equiniti has emphasised the importance of identifying potential roadblocks early and building contingencies to address them. “You can’t predict everything, but you can prepare for the most likely scenarios,” Bloor says, adding that a robust risk framework has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of acquisitions and operational changes.

Bloor is quick to acknowledge that the process hasn’t been without missteps. Early on, the team underestimated the complexity of testing strategies, which required external support to resolve. “We got into a real mess with our testing strategy,” he admits. “It wasn’t that testing was particularly complicated—we just didn’t know what we were doing. But we learned, adapted, and moved forward—and that’s what matters.”

A vision grounded in resilience

As Equiniti prepares for another year of growth, Bloor’s focus remains on delivering value while navigating the complexities of a constantly shifting business environment. “We’ve had three strong years of growth, and the expectation is for a fourth,” he notes. “That means looking for opportunities to expand market share, leverage technology, and maintain the trust of our shareholders.”

At the heart of this vision is Equiniti’s ongoing commitment to innovation. The planned implementation of a new billing system marks a critical step in streamlining operations, moving away from manual processes to a more scalable solution. “Getting it right will allow us to focus on delivering even greater value to the business,” Bloor says.

Yet, for all the focus on systems and strategy, Bloor is equally invested in the culture that underpins Equiniti’s success. From fostering collaboration across global teams to ensuring robust data stewardship, the company’s approach reflects a deep understanding that resilience comes from within. “What you say you’re going to do must get done,” he says simply, reinforcing the importance of trust and accountability in leadership.

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