ERP Transformation: Who really owns it and why it matters
- Date
- 2026-05-20
- Location
- London, England, United Kingdom
- Host
- Investigo events
About this event
ERP transformations are often framed as technology programmes, but the real questions are usually about ownership, decision-making, and accountability. If you have ever seen an ERP initiative stall because business, IT, finance, operations, or leadership were not aligned on who was actually in charge, this event is designed to get to the heart of that problem. This is a focused in-person conversation in London for people who want a more honest view of how ERP change really works. Rather than staying at the level of theory, the discussion will center on the practical reality: who needs to lead, who needs to be involved, and why that ownership model has such a big impact on outcomes. About the Event ERP transformation affects far more than systems. It touches process design, governance, data, team structures, ways of working, and the day-to-day experience of the people expected to use the new setup. That is why the question of ownership matters so much: if no one clearly owns the transformation, everyone feels the impact but no one can fully steer the result. This meetup creates space for that discussion in a community setting. It is built for people who want to compare perspectives, pressure-test assumptions, and hear how others think about responsibility across business and technology functions. The setting is in person, which makes it easier to have the kind of candid conversations that complex transformation topics deserve. Expect a format that supports both insight and interaction. This is not just about listening passively; it is about engaging with the core issue from multiple angles and leaving with a clearer view of what strong ERP ownership should look like in practice. What to Expect The evening will center on the big question in the title: who really owns ERP transformation and why does that matter? From there, the conversation is likely to explore the roles different stakeholders play before, during, and after implementation. You can expect discussion around themes such as: Business vs. IT ownership and where that distinction helps or creates risk Executive sponsorship versus operational accountability Decision-making models that keep programmes moving without losing alignment Cross-functional collaboration between finance, operations, technology, and change teams The human side of transformation, including adoption, resistance, and communication What success looks like once the system is live and the programme shifts into ongoing ownership Because this is also a community and networking event, there will be opportunities to meet others working through similar challenges. Some attendees may come with active transformation programmes underway; others may be preparing for a future ERP change or reflecting on lessons from a completed initiative. That mix is valuable because it brings different levels of urgency, hindsight, and practical experience into the room. The conversation should be especially useful if you are tired of oversimplified narratives. ERP transformation is rarely owned neatly by one team alone, and this event makes room for the nuance: where ownership should sit, how it should be shared, and what happens when that structure is unclear. Why Attend If you work anywhere near ERP change, ownership is not an abstract governance question. It shapes scope, budget decisions, process design, stakeholder buy-in, implementation pace, and long-term value. Getting clearer on ownership can help teams avoid confusion early and reduce friction later. This event offers the chance to step back from project noise and focus on one of the most important root causes of transformation success or failure. Instead of only talking about software choices or delivery milestones, the conversation goes deeper into accountability and leadership. That makes it relevant whether you sit in IT, the business, programme management, operations, or an executive role. You should leave with sharper thinking on questions like: Who needs to make the key calls in an ERP programme? Where should ownership sit at different phases of transformation? How do you avoid the gap between formal sponsorship and real accountability? What does effective collaboration across functions actually require? How can ownership models support adoption, not just implementation? Just as importantly, you will be in a room with people who understand the complexity of this work. That makes the networking valuable in its own right: not generic small talk, but conversations with peers who are dealing with overlapping organisational, technical, and change challenges. Practical Details This is an in-person event in London, United Kingdom, taking place on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00 PM GMT+1. The in-person format is well suited to a topic like this, where the most useful insights often come from open discussion, comparison of real experiences, and follow-up conversations after the main session. The event sits at the intersection of community, networking, meetup, and social. That means you can expect a professional but approachable atmosphere, with room for both structured discussion and informal connection. Whether you come to learn, contribute, or meet others in the ERP and transformation space, there should be a clear reason to be in the room. If this topic is close to your current work, it is worth arriving ready to engage. Think about the ownership questions your organisation is wrestling with now, the decisions that keep getting escalated, or the places where accountability feels blurred. Those are exactly the kinds of issues that can make the conversation more useful for you and for others attending. If ERP transformation has ever felt less like a system rollout and more like an organisation trying to redefine itself under pressure, this event will feel familiar. And if you want a clearer view of who should lead that change and why it matters so much, this is the right conversation to be part of.
Who should attend
This is for people who want a sharper, more practical view of ERP transformation ownership and the organisational decisions behind it. - You lead or contribute to **ERP, digital transformation, or large business change programmes** and want clearer thinking on accountability, governance, and decision-making. - You work in **IT, enterprise systems, architecture, or technology leadership** and regularly navigate the question of where technology ownership ends and business ownership begins. - You sit in **finance, operations, supply chain, HR, or another business function** that will be heavily affected by ERP change and you want a stronger voice in how transformation is led. - You are a **programme manager, PMO lead, transformation manager, or change professional** looking to compare how other organisations structure responsibility across sponsors, delivery teams, and business stakeholders. - You are an **executive, senior leader, or functional head** who needs ERP transformation to deliver real operational value, not just a system go-live. - You value **thoughtful peer conversation and networking** with people facing similar cross-functional challenges in complex organisations. If you have ever asked, "Who is actually responsible for making this transformation succeed?" you will likely find this discussion highly relevant.