Update at a glance
Unit4 will replace Agresso as the University's finance system
The go-live date is now planned for 1 February 2027
The change gives more time for testing, training and preparation
Early testing shows Unit4 feels familiar
There is nothing you need to do right now
Support is available through Finance and Procurement Change Champions
The Agresso User Group continues to be available as a space for questions and feedback
Unit4 and our approach
Unit4 will replace our current finance system, Agresso, which is approaching the end of its supported life. Moving to Unit4 allows the University to continue running a secure, supported finance system and forms part of our wider move towards cloud-based services. As with any new system, we’re taking a careful and well-planned approach, with appropriate preparation and support in place for colleagues.
A change to the go-live date
Following recent planning, review and early testing activity, a decision has now been confirmed to move the Unit4 go-live date to 1 February 2027. This revised date gives us additional time to complete testing, prepare data, and make sure colleagues feel supported before Unit4 is used more widely.
Why the date move
As we’re building and exploring Unit4, it’s become clear that the additional time will allow us to:
carry out thorough and structured testing
make sure data is accurate and ready
resolve issues before they affect everyday work
prepare training that reflects how people actually use the system
Work on Unit4 continues at pace and this is about doing things in the right order, not slowing progress.
Where we are now
We're in a testing phase. Finance & Procurement Change Champions are exploring Unit4 to understand how it looks and works and to provide feedback
More structured testing is planned for May and June, followed by wider user testing in the Autumn
Alongside testing, work continues on preparing data for Unit4. Current plans focus on bringing open and recent financial transactions into Unit4, with older historical data remaining accessible in Agresso for a period after go-live
What this means for colleagues
Depending on how you use the finance system day-to-day, the change to Unit4 will feel different for different people. Some colleagues will notice only small differences, while others may see a few changes in how they work. Even where processes change, much of the system will still feel familiar.
If you already use Agresso on the web: Unit4 will look and feel very familiar
If you use the desktop version: you will notice some changes in how things look and work. It may take a little time to get used to, but early feedback from testing has been positive, with colleagues finding the system clearer and easier to navigate
As with any new system, there will be a learning period. You won’t be expected to navigate the change on your own. Support will be available through training and from our Finance & Procurement Change Champions.
Finance & Procurement Change Champions
We have a network of Change Champions working closely with colleagues to test Unit4 and gather feedback before go live. Your Change Champions are:
Anne Winchester – Payments Team Manager
Nik Kosy – Management Accountant
Michael Morgan – Income Office Process Systems Officer
Jo Hulin – Accounting Technician
Richard Backholer – Procurement Systems Analyst
Emma Hoar – Assistant Accountant
Rebecca Smith – Income Office Manager
Alison Bradley – Procurement Systems Coordinator
Stephen Coles – Financial Compliance and Training Officer
Sally Thurbin – Accounting Technician
Sam Cunningham – Finance Manager
You can contact the Change Champion team by submitting a question, or by speaking directly to any one of the Change Champions.
Agresso User Group
The Agresso User Group remains available for colleagues who are Faculty, School or Department finance contacts and continues to provide a space to ask questions and share feedback as we move towards Unit4.
If you have any questions about the Agresso User Group, please contact Stephen Coles