Recovery of a Cost program for Australia’s largest social impact business
“Flux is the partner you want when you need to deliver results fast. They combine structure, speed, and deep experience to help you mobilise, design, and execute complex programs without losing sight of the bigger picture.”
Context
Australian Unity (AU) is Australia’s largest mutual company that in In 2025, delivered $2.38 billion of social impact value. With an extensive business portfolio across wealth, healthcare, superannuation, and banking, AU was supported by a 700-person technology function which the Executive sought to radically transform. The aim was to simplify a complex, federated structure, achieve over $50 million over five years in savings, and reinvest in digital, automation, and customer-focused initiatives. This was to be achieved through centralising the workforce under a new leadership model, rationalising a fragmented vendor base into a strategic prime partner representing a significant element of the technology workforce, and creating a sustainable technology operating model. The Transformation program was set up to streamline hundreds of applications, reduce vendor complexity, and establish a unified leadership model to support reinvestment in digital and automation.
“The Flux reset was a turning point. Twice-weekly decision rooms, daily stand-ups, and structured wave planning brought visibility and control across the transition, while their coordination of teams and vendors kept delivery on track. Creative twists—from playbooks to virtual environments—drove adoption, and the clean audit reported to the Board is testament to the rigour Flux applies”
the ask
Australian Unity asked Flux to lead the end-to-end technology transformation from design through to embedment to simplify its technology structure, consolidate technology operations under a single leadership structure and primary vendor to reduce overall costs whilst investing in and improving digital and transformation functions. Flux facilitated the design of the new structure, enabled rapid management of the transition of a significant proportion of the workforce, and established a Transformation & Change Management Office to ensure transparent governance, stakeholder alignment, and momentum throughout. The program included the roll out of a significant ways of working program across jurisdictions to ensure long term partnership success and the establishment of a BAU Governance model that lasted.
“Flux wasn’t just a vendor; they were a partner who lived this transformation with us. Across every phase — from blueprinting to BAU — Flux delivered. We achieved nearly a five-to-one ROI, and built a technology function that’s simpler, stronger, and a year on is standing the test of time.”
Impact
Delivered in under 12 months, the program achieved a five-to-one ROI and exceeded the $50m savings target over five years. Australian Unity successfully transitioned from federated local teams to a centralised technology function while maintaining—and in many areas improving—technology performance, as shown by stabilisation metrics. With strong governance, clear decision-making, and effective change management, Flux ensured a smooth transformation that delivered a streamlined, cost-effective organization, 100–150 roles transitioned, and lasting capability to manage future change. Business feedback has been excellent, and the program is regarded as a major success nearly a year on from the Flux engagement who remain a strong partner of AU.