David Kirby - Managing Director Figured UK

We’re excited to share that Figured is officially launching in the UK on 28 June 2018, in partnership with Xero as their preferred agri-specific add-on.

The UK is facing a period of change in which the collaborative approach that Figured enables can deliver real value. With Making Tax Digital, Brexit, Open Banking and the rapid adoption of cloud accounting tools influencing the UK market, the need for an agri-specific financial management solution has never been more relevant.

Profitability and growth happen through a closer understanding of efficiency and productivity. Therefore empowering advisors with insightful financial data and accessible analysis tools is critical to helping the farming sector in the UK becoming more competitive, more focused on profit, more innovative and better able to respond to changing times.

A collaborative approach to managing a farm’s finances has already proved successful in our existing markets - New Zealand, Australia and the US. We’re excited to now lead and support the industry through change with an eco-system of progressive partners in the UK who align with our beliefs - including accountants, supermarkets and banks.

Initial focus is to support dairy and livestock farming, and the knowledge we can leverage from the success of New Zealand’s dairy industry will be invaluable. We will be kicking off an arable specific beta program to further refine functionality in line with local requirements, and will also look to our US business to help influence this direction.

Embracing the future of farm accounting

We have taken our time to understand the UK market in order to tailor our approach for entry. We’ve been working closely with selected UK beta partners over the past 6 months to better understand the needs of UK accounting practices and their clients. These are leading agri accounting practices who have provided invaluable support and insight in refining the product for the local market, and we knew that this early engagement would be critical to our success.

Among them are Kite Consulting, EQ, Dodd & Co and Scrutton Bland, who we believe will have a sustainable advantage in leading the market forward and will play an influential role in shaping Figured for their customers.

A local team

To provide local support to our partners, we’ve also built a strong team on the ground in the UK. As the Managing Director of Figured UK, I’m excited to be leading our entry to the United Kingdom. I’m a proud Yorkshireman, though I spent five years living in New Zealand, so it gives me great pleasure to be bringing innovative Kiwi technology to my homeland.

With me is James Higgie, UK & Ireland Channel Manager. Originally hailing from Hawke’s Bay, James grew up on a sheep and beef farm. He started his journey with Figured in New Zealand, before moving to support Figured’s growth in Australia, and is now working alongside our UK based partners to develop strong, collaborative relationships.

Working alongside myself and James is Dow Dodds, who has been working for Figured in New Zealand since 2016. Another Hawke’s Bay export, Dow spent summers working on her father’s vineyards, and as our UK Head of Customer Success, her product knowledge and ability to confidently communicate with both advisors and farmers will prove invaluable as we on-board more local customers.

A global partnership

We’re proud of the mutually beneficial relationship we’ve established with Xero as their agri accounting partner, and grateful for the support they have continued to provide towards our global growth aspirations. Their on-going support is evidence of their belief in the strength of Figured’s proposition and our ability to deliver a solution fit for global opportunities. Xero’s own success in the UK is a sign that the market is embracing cloud software and asking for change.

With a global model, our mission is to provide a world-class solution that supports the growth and profitability of farming around the world, and we’re proud that our international success is further recognition of New Zealand’s status as a world leader in both agriculture and technology. With a global perspective we believe we can provide real value and insight to our partners and customers to further drive the success of the industry both locally, and off-shore.