People Powered, AI Driven: Highlights from Unit4 UKI X4U 2025
On 20th May, the Embridge team joined over 400 Unit4 customers, partners, and industry peers at the UKI X4U event in Birmingham. With this year’s theme, People Powered, AI Driven, the day was a showcase of the latest innovations shaping the future of enterprise technology, with a strong focus on outcomes, transformation, and intelligent enablement.
Plenary highlights: ERPx, FP&A and the AI revolution
Led by Unit4’s Global Leadership Team and supported by industry thought leaders, the opening sessions unveiled updates across ERPx, FP&A, with powerful product demos showcasing the latest innovation including AVA. Unit4’s AI-powered agent and advisor.
Amy Noble from the University of Liverpool joined the stage with Johann Reventberg, CRO, Unit4 and Jean De Villiers, CCO, Unit4 where she shared their journey in selecting Unit4 ERPx and Embridge Consulting as their preferred transformation partner and why they are excited about how the technology innovation in ERPX will underpin their critical Finance transformation programme.
From the expanding influence of AI in ERP to practical steps in cloud migration, the message was clear: transformation is not just inevitable, it’s already here.
“Unit4 reinforced its long-term roadmap, with strong reassurance for current users and a compelling case for transitioning to the Microsoft powered ERPx platform offering AI solutions, extensibility and end-to-end procurement innovation all which really stood out.”
Mike White, Sales, Public Sector at Embridge
Public sector & beyond: real-world priorities
Our CEO, Emma O’Brien, took part in the Public Sector Q&A panel, where discussions tackled some of the sector’s biggest priorities: cloud migration, procurement challenges, maximising value from ERP and the importance of people first transformation.
“There was a strong push on getting more from existing investments. Tools like Extension Kit, Workspaces, and App Studio were shown as essential enablers of user engagement and agility.”
Becky Quinn, Head of Customer Success at Embridge
Higher education: Planning for cloud with purpose
In the Higher Education breakout, the spotlight was on bridging the gap between on-premise and cloud, with the sector’s journey slightly behind others due to the complexity of legacy systems. However, sessions demonstrated the shift is gathering pace, with modern solutions such as GrantsNow offering better compliance, integration and control.
“There was real enthusiasm for modern platforms that can truly integrate research and financial management. Cloud migration isn’t just a tech move, it’s a strategic reset.”
Georgina Peters, Senior Account Manager, Embridge
Hands-on at the Embridge stand: action figures, AI and integration
Our Action Figure Factory proved a hit with delegates bringing the concept of personalised transformation to life using ERPx, LEO, and AI. Delegates created their own transformation action figures and met our brand-new Embridge Bears, each with their own ‘superpower’ inspired by our services.
“The stand was buzzing. LEO and tools like Extension Kit generated lots of interest, but many still don’t realise the practical enablement available. There’s a real opportunity for further learning!”
Dave Whybrow, Technical Solutions Consultant at Embridge
Final thoughts: readiness for what’s next
Throughout the day, one message came through loud and clear: real transformation isn’t about technology alone, it’s about outcomes, resilience, and people. From AI and automation to cloud adoption and integration, the appetite for smarter, future-ready solutions is growing fast.
“It’s been fantastic to see so many conversations turning toward impact and real-life business transformation. The energy around ERPx, LEO, and people-first approaches made this one of our most energising X4Us to date. Embridge are proud to be leading the way in supporting customers leverage the capabilities of the Microsoft powered Unit4 ERPx platform. This is an exciting time for Unit4 customers as they now embark on a journey that is offering the most modern ERP platform available on the market.”
Emma O’Brien, CEO at Embridge
For public sector organisations, especially local authorities navigating the local government reform, healthcare organisations responding to the recent NHS England announcement, Higher Education and non profit organisations facing unprecedented financial pressures or Commercial Professional Services Organisations that are looking to be ready to embrace the new era of AI the need for trusted guidance and flexible services and solutions has never been greater.
If your organisation is reassessing its roadmap, seeking to modernise core systems, or simply needs help making sense of what’s next. We’re here to help.
Embridge Consulting is a leading People-First Business Transformation consultancy, specialising in ERP and Business Change.
With commitment to continual client improvement, we work with clients to help them achieve faster time to value from their digital change programmes, at lower cost with lower risk.
