ELMO

Office address: Level 27, 580 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Website: www.elmosoftware.com.au
Year established: 2002
Company type: software development
Employees: 500+
Expertise: workforce planning & analytics, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning management, remuneration, expense management, succession systems, HR software, software as a service, HR automation, employee surveys
Parent company: K1 Investment Management
Key people: Joseph Lyons (CEO), Sarah Dart (CCO), James Haslam (COO and CFO), Joshua McKenzie (CTO), Kate Wilkinson (CPO), Luke Allen (SVP Sales), Mei Ching Koon (CMO)
Financing status: private equity-backed

ELMO Software, headquartered in Sydney with six offices across Australia and New Zealand, provides HR software solutions to ~2,500 clients. With about one million end users, the company helps mid-sized ANZ businesses manage the entire employee lifecycle with confidence. Their flexible, modular HR and payroll platform streamlines operations, strengthens compliance, and scales as you grow. Designed for local needs, ELMO's HR Software integrates with payroll systems, ensures accurate reporting, and supports ISO-certified security.

History of ELMO Software

ELMO Software was founded in 2002 by Danny Lessem and Manuel Garber, and was designed to streamline and digitise the world of e-learning.  Now it’s an end-to-end HR technology platform that automates the entire employee lifecycle.

Products and services of ELMO Software

The company offers a range of HR products and services designed to streamline HR and payroll processes. These include:

• HR core: centralises employee data, offering real-time reporting and analytics
• Payroll: secure, accurate payroll with cloud-based software, ensuring compliance with local regulations
• Recruitment: optimise the hiring process from candidate screening through to contract creation
• Onboarding: streamlines new employee onboarding through customisable workflows
• Performance management: manages employee performance with goal setting and feedback
• Learning management: provides a configurable platform for employee training and development
• Customer success: dedicated support to optimise the use of ELMO software
• Implementation: professional services to assist with seamless software integration

ELMO Software's solutions help businesses save time and money while ensuring robust HR operations and secure employee data. As a trusted HR partner, it supports organisations to manage the entire employee lifecycle with confidence.

Culture at ELMO Software

The company fosters a diverse and inclusive culture, valuing the unique skills and experiences each employee, or ‘ELMOnian,’ brings to the workplace. The company promotes innovation, engagement, and growth within its team through a supportive and collaborative environment. It offers various employee benefits, including:

• hybrid work environment promoting work-life balance
• generous parental leave of 12 weeks (primary) or 6 weeks (secondary)
• additional leave for birthdays and personal ‘YOU’ days
• novated leasing and other corporate discounts
• social events and diversity clubs to celebrate and connect with colleagues
• wellbeing support, including access to mental health resources
• a collaborative culture that emphasises innovation and personal growth

ELMO Software is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility, striving to contribute more to society than it takes. The company embraces its role as a global citizen by promoting sustainable practices and empowering communities through various initiatives. Its dedication to social and environmental responsibility is evident in its ongoing efforts to create a positive impact:

• Sustainability: carbon-neutral, paper-free offices with a focus on recycling
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB): inclusive practices through initiatives like Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), PRISM and WELMO
• Community: partnerships with Afghan Women and United Against Domestic Violence, along with participation in blood donations, STEPtember, and Wear it Purple Day

The company’s culture is rooted in four core values that guide every aspect of its operations. The company prioritises innovation, customer focus, and a commitment to helping others thrive. With fearless optimism, it consistently challenges norms to drive positive change and deliver meaningful impact.

About ELMO Software CEO Joseph Lyons and key people

Joseph Lyons became chief executive officer of ELMO Software in January 2024, leading the company's strategic growth and performance. His prior roles include managing director at Xero and chief customer officer at REA Group, and other leadership roles from various companies. Lyons holds degrees in marketing from the University of South Australia and international business from The State University of New York.

Supporting the CEO in leading the company are key executives who oversee various functions within the company:

• Sarah Dart, as chief customer officer, ensures customer satisfaction and service excellence
• James Haslam, as chief operating officer and chief financial officer, manages operations and financial strategy
• Luke Allen, as SVP of sales, drives sales and revenue growth
• Joshua McKenzie, as chief technology officer, spearheads technological innovation and development
• Kate Wilkinson, serving as chief people officer, focuses on human resources and talent management
• Mei Ching Koon, chief marketing officer, shapes marketing strategy, ensuring every initiative is aligned to company priorities

The future at ELMO Software

Under CEO Joseph Lyons' leadership and focus on choosing the right HR technology, ELMO Software promotes the automation of processes to reduce reliance on manual systems. By enhancing HR technology, the company believes that providing better data and insights will empower businesses to manage their most valuable assets—people. The company is set to lead the future of HR with innovative solutions that streamline operations and drive meaningful change.

Recent findings from ELMO's 2025 HR Industry Benchmark Report  show that greater success in HR now hinges on three factors: leveraging AI effectively, building flexible multi-generational work models, and strengthening the connection between people strategies and business results.