Games Workshop seeks IT leader to summon the legions in epic saga battling the forces of ERP

The search for a new IT leader signals a renewed push to finally resolve long-standing ERP integration issues, potentially stabilizing core business operations.

Games Workshop, the UK-based tabletop games and Warhammer manufacturer, is seeking a fixed-term Head of IT to oversee its global technology operations for two years. The role, which closed for applications over the weekend, reports to the Chief Operating Officer and encompasses core technology, information security, major systems changes, and customer-facing digital platforms like warhammer.com. The company is currently navigating significant, multi-year overhauls of its ERP and supply chain management systems, which have experienced delays and budget overruns since their inception. These projects were initially slated for a 2020 go-live but have persisted, impacting online shopping development and leading to additional budget allocations. As of its July 2026 annual report, Games Workshop's main financial system still relies on legacy ERP applications with identified control deficiencies. To address ongoing challenges, responsibility for IT delivery has been integrated with the operational manufacturing and supply chain director, aiming to improve inter-departmental collaboration and progress the Systems Improvement Plan.

Games Workshop's protracted ERP and supply chain system overhauls highlight the substantial challenges and hidden costs associated with major enterprise software implementations, even for established companies. The ongoing reliance on legacy systems despite years of attempted upgrades suggests deep-seated integration difficulties and the potential for significant financial and operational drag. This situation underscores the critical need for effective IT leadership and project management capable of navigating complex technological transitions, especially when they directly impact customer-facing platforms and financial reporting.

The company's commitment to finishing these projects, coupled with the recent organizational shift of IT delivery to the operational side, indicates a strategic effort to align technology initiatives more closely with business needs. This move could streamline decision-making and accelerate progress, but it also suggests that previous approaches may have lacked sufficient business integration. The market will be watching to see if this new leadership structure and focus can finally bring the ERP saga to a successful conclusion and mitigate the identified control deficiencies in their financial systems.