Developing A Roadmap Of Innovation

Founded in 1984 by President and Founder, John Mills, MHR International UK Limited is the largest privately owned British company in its sector and employs over 700 people. 

Since its beginning John Mills has led the organisation nurturing a culture of technical innovation and service distinction that sets an exceptional standard within the HR and Payroll technology industry. The firm’s aim is to constantly innovate HR, Payroll, Finance and Business Analytics solutions and services to keep ahead of an ever-evolving world of work. 

Launched as MHR’s flagship product in 2001, the award-winning platform iTrent was one of the very first truly integrated single software solutions, covering HR and Payroll in one, which transformed how companies manage their people and simplify their HR and payroll processes through a streamlined, integrated service, backed up by live, intuitive data. Also part of MHR’s powerful portfolio, People First is the most intuitive, fully integrated, cloud-based, mobile-first HR & Payroll platform currently available on the market.

MHR’s products are designed to support any size of businesses across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, paying the salaries of 2.8 million employees in the UK every month. iTrent is used by approx. 47% of local authority workers across the country; over 60% of the UK’s police workforce and a third of the UK’s university employees. British Steel and Admiral, as well as retail brands like H&M and Regatta, are among MHR’s wide range of private sector customers, while the product is used to pay around 150,000 charity workers accurately and on time.

Mr John Mills (President and Founder), Mrs Mills and Jessica Mills (Chairman) - MHR

In December 1984, John Mills established his own software company which became the first organisation to produce HR software for IBM mainframes in the UK. 

John Mills has always run MHR International with a long-term view, ensuring a financially secure, robust organisation that can thrive independently. This approach has been founded on honesty, integrity, innovation and living within its own means to ensure long term success.

The organisation has been built and grown from its inception without external borrowing or funds. This attitude of self-reliance has continued, and the company has no long-term debts. A key aim of MHR is to ensure that the company can be a good, supportive employer, with creative and comfortable facilities, and development programmes to care for the employees who form part of the MHR family.

Listed among the top 500 most sustainable companies in the Midlands, MHR invests in both conservational and environmental maintenance to protect the gardens and grounds surrounding the headquarters at Ruddington Hall and the new office campus, a six-acre site on Mere Way at the Ruddington Business Park. In John Mills’ ownership, work has been undertaken to preserve both Ruddington Hall and its grounds, and many trees have been planted. MHR has been built with an ethos of supporting local trade and businesses whether this is for maintenance, decoration or refurbishment.

John Mills is a leader who embraces change and, for the past 40 years, the company has adapted with every change in the technology market.

Jessica Mills, Chairman at MHR

As part of a long-term succession plan, the appointment of Jessica Mills, John’s daughter, underlines the continued commitment of the Mills family to MHR International and follows a period of sustained, double-digit growth and substantial investment and significant infrastructure projects at its Nottinghamshire headquarters.

Jessica joined MHR six years ago as a Non-Executive Director, later becoming the Board Member responsible for HR. In 2018 Jessica became Chairman of MHR’s successful Analytics Division, and at the same time, became Vice Chairman of MHR International UK Ltd, where she became further involved with all functions in the business.

“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have been committed to achieving our ambitious growth and product development plans, in order to protect our employees and to support our customers during difficult times and we have introduced support mechanisms for them to be able to continue to run their critical HR and Payroll processes.” said Jessica Mills.

Jessica also adds: “This is a demanding but exciting time and we are developing an inspiring roadmap of innovative new services and products to support our customers in the future. Our longstanding financially independent business model will remain, and we will continue to build on the achievements of my father’s tenure. Our family’s investment in MHR is unwavering, so that everyone at MHR can look forward to further success in years to come.”

Support to Local Community 

Every year MHR takes part in the local Radio Station GEM ‘Christmas Mission’ campaign collecting and donating over 500 presents to children living in deprived conditions across the East Midlands. The company also supports the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People based only a few miles from MHR’s Head Office.

As well as donating money instead of sending Christmas cards, MHR colleagues have taken part in various fundraising activities for the Hospice in recent years. These include an epic 280-mile bike ride to Mount Snowdown and various Dragon Boat challenge competitions. 

This year, a team of MHR colleagues has helped to restore the Hospice’s Eco Garden. As Rainbows provides care and support to over 300 children and young people, the Eco Garden is now set to be a tranquil place for them, and their families to reflect, recharge and enjoy.

Jeanette Wheeler, HR Director at MHR, said: “Being able to support Rainbows’ work through the Eco Garden project was incredibly rewarding for our colleagues. They were able to combine a shared enthusiasm for the mental health benefits of natural environments with their genuine passion to support and help Rainbows. This resulted in the revitalisation of a tranquil place for the users, families, visitors, volunteers and staff of Rainbows to enjoy for years to come. MHR continues to support Rainbows and its incredible work in the local community.” 

Emily Wright, Rainbows Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser, added: “The Eco Garden is such a special place at our hospice and what the team from MHR has done is incredible. Over the various lockdowns, we haven’t been able to maintain our gardens as much as we would have liked. So, for the team to make such a transformation, really is wonderful. We know so many people will get so much enjoyment from this outdoor space.”

In addition to volunteering work, a dedicated MHR Running Club has been set up by MHR employees who ran the Nottingham Robin Hood Half Marathon in Nottingham on 26th September to raise extra funds for the Hospice.

Prestigious Recognition 

In September this year, the firm celebrated a Royal Warrant of Appointment which has been granted to John Mills, President and Founder of MHR International, for the supply of Payroll and HR Systems to Her Majesty The Queen.

John Mills comments: “It is a real honour to be the recipient of this highly esteemed award.  MHR is now among over 800 Royal Warrant holders, whose work in trade and industry has been acknowledged at the highest level.  At MHR, we are united by a commitment to the highest standards of service, quality and excellence, and it is a source of great pride that MHR International UK Limited has received the Royal Warrant.”

John Mills continues: “This is an exciting time for MHR. The receipt of this reward is a tribute to the endeavours and commitment of everyone within MHR International that has made it the company it is today. This recognition can also be attributed to all our staff for being an integral part of our journey.”  

MHR is a proud member of the Institute for Family Business and works hard to uphold its strong family values within its operations. With dynamic leaders at its helm, MHR continues to drive the company’s plans for investment and sustained growth, constantly striving for all-round excellence while retaining the values and customer-service ethic that have made the company successful.

You can learn more about MHR Global by visiting their website.