Yoto is using Oracle NetSuite to run its operations, with the children’s audio platform saying the system supports its expansion across several international markets.

The London-founded business adopted NetSuite after rapid growth made it harder to manage operations across disconnected systems. As annual transactions rose into the millions, it wanted a single platform for financial and operational data.

Founded in 2017 by Ben Drury and Filip Denker, Yoto built its business around audio products for children designed to reduce screen time. After launching its first device, the Yoto Player, through Kickstarter in 2019, it expanded into the UK, US, Canada, Australia and France.

Yoto said it passed £100 million in annual revenue in 2025. As the business grew, separate software tools limited visibility across finance, inventory and wider operations.

Unified systems

NetSuite now brings together several previously separate systems into a single suite covering finance, inventory, and planning. According to Yoto, the software has helped automate parts of its global financial processes, improve forecasting, and strengthen supply chain and stock management.

Yoto said its financial management tools have shortened reporting and financial close work, increasing team productivity. It also said inventory management functions have improved product availability by enabling more accurate, responsive stock planning across countries and sales channels.

The deployment also includes NetSuite AI Connector Service, which Yoto said links the ERP platform to a third-party large language model provider. The setup allows the company to define what the AI can access and do through role-based permissions.

Ben Averis, Chief Financial Officer at Yoto, outlined the reason for the move. “As a fast-growing global business, we needed systems that could keep pace with our growth and support increasingly complex operations,” he said. “We chose NetSuite because it is a system capable of scaling and supporting the ambitions we have as a company. NetSuite has helped us operate more efficiently, plan more effectively, and make faster, more confident decisions by giving us a single source of truth for all financial and operational data,” said Averis.

Growth pressure

The changes come as consumer brands face growing demands on inventory planning and reporting as they expand across markets and sales channels. For businesses with physical products, the need to track stock accurately while maintaining financial control has become more pressing as international operations widen.

Yoto’s model combines hardware and audio content for children, placing it in a category that has grown as parents seek alternatives to screen-based entertainment. Expansion into multiple English-speaking markets and France has added complexity to supply chains, local sales activity and financial reporting from a central platform.

Oracle NetSuite said Yoto’s adoption reflects the pressure on growing consumer businesses to replace fragmented software systems with a single operational platform. In its view, this can help companies standardise workflows and improve oversight as they scale.

Nicky Tozer, Senior Vice President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Oracle NetSuite, said Yoto had used the software to simplify and automate key parts of the business. “Yoto is pioneering a fast-growing category that is resonating with parents and children alike,” said Tozer. “With NetSuite, Yoto has replaced disconnected software systems with a single unified suite, automated critical workflows with embedded AI, and built a scalable foundation to support continued growth and meet rising customer demand,” added Tozer.

Hyperlayer has appointed Louise Chan and Barry O’Callaghan to its board of directors following the London fintech’s GBP £30 million fundraise in the third quarter of 2025.

Chan already serves on the executive team as Chief Operating Officer, while O’Callaghan joins the board with a background in investment and corporate leadership. The appointments add two senior figures as Hyperlayer looks to expand internationally.

Founded in London, Hyperlayer sells technology to banks launching new financial products while maintaining links to existing core systems. Its platform is designed to help lenders move faster in areas such as digital financial services.

Chan joined Hyperlayer in 2023 and has more than 25 years of experience across banking and payments.

Before becoming Chief Operating Officer at Hyperlayer, she held the same role at Ebury, where she oversaw product, data and operations during the company’s international expansion. Earlier, she was Managing Director for Innovation Capability Development at HSBC and also held senior roles in banking and consultancy.

Capital markets

O’Callaghan is Chairman of private investment firm AKLO Capital. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of education company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and earlier built digital publisher Riverdeep through a series of acquisitions.

Earlier in his career, he held investment banking roles at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets. That experience brings board-level expertise in fundraising, expansion and dealmaking as Hyperlayer builds on its latest investment round.

The board changes were announced by Rob Rooney, Hyperlayer’s co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley International. He has led the company as it pursues further growth with banks across multiple markets.

Board changes

The addition of an internal operating executive and an investor with capital markets experience points to a blend of execution and financial oversight at the board level. It also formalises Chan’s leadership role while giving O’Callaghan a direct governance position.

O’Callaghan was already involved with the business as an investor. His appointment shifts that relationship from shareholder backing to a formal board seat as the company enters its next phase.

For fintech companies selling to large banks, board composition can carry weight because customers and investors often look for experience in regulation, operations and institutional relationships. Hyperlayer’s choice of directors reflects that emphasis, with Chan bringing operational banking expertise and O’Callaghan contributing experience in investing and large-scale corporate management.

Hyperlayer has tied the appointments to its recent funding and international plans. It is one of several UK fintechs seeking to win business from incumbent banks under pressure to improve digital services without replacing core systems outright.

Market pressure

Competition in that market has intensified as banks weigh how to use newer forms of automation and software in customer-facing products. Providers that can demonstrate an understanding of both bank infrastructure and governance requirements have tried to stand out as spending by financial institutions remains selective.

“Louise has been instrumental in building our global operating capability, driving our HyperJar B2C business and leading Tier 1 bank client relationships. Barry adds deep experience in capital markets and scaling global businesses, and we’re delighted to see him move from investor to this hands-on leadership role. As we expand internationally and work with larger institutions, their perspective at board level will be critical to our next stage of growth,” said Rob Rooney, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Hyperlayer.

Small and medium-sized manufacturers in Oxfordshire will benefit from a £3.1 million investment through the Made Smarter South East programme, funded by the Government to boost digital transformation.

The programme offers expert technology advice, leadership training, digital skills development, and match-funded grants to support productivity, innovation, job creation, and carbon reduction.

Bryan Vint, programme manager for Made Smarter South East, said: “This new wave of funding is a huge boost for manufacturers across the South East.

“In our first year we have already shown what the region can achieve when SMEs have access to the right advice, skills and technology.

“The continuation of the programme gives businesses the confidence to plan ahead, invest in digital tools and build the skills they need to grow.

“We are excited to help hundreds more manufacturers unlock productivity, resilience and long-term growth.”

The scheme is delivered by Surrey County Council in partnership with Oxfordshire LEP.

Since its launch in April 2025, Made Smarter South East has supported 273 manufacturers, participated in 137 diagnostic workshops, developed 93 digital roadmaps, and approved grants for 20 technology projects.

Over the last year, manufacturers have secured more than £307,000 in matched funding, enabling over £1 million of investment in technologies such as ERP systems, 3D printing, and automation.

Manufacturers in Oxfordshire are already seeing the impact.

Brick Kiln Composites, based in Banbury, completed a Digital Transformation Workshop and joined the Leadership Programme to explore how digital technologies could enhance their operations.

Josh Tee, HR and operations manager at Brick Kiln Composites, said: “Working with Made Smarter has helped us step back and assess where digital technology can make the biggest difference to our operations.

“The programme has helped us better understand our current processes, identify pain points, and explore how digital tools could improve efficiency, strengthen lean manufacturing, and support more sustainable practices.”

He described the programme as a “fantastic initiative” for SMEs that builds “awareness and confidence around digital opportunities.”

Mr Tee said: “As we look ahead, technologies will increasingly support every stage of the manufacturing process, from procurement through to quality assurance, helping us create positive change for both our team and our customers.”

Businesses start with an expert digital assessment to identify their technology and skills priorities, followed by the creation of a tailored digital roadmap.

Support includes leadership development, workforce training, and digital internships to help embed new technologies and change across the organisation.

Eligible companies can receive up to 50 per cent match funding, with grants of up to £20,000 available for capital technology projects.

More information is available at madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/south-east.