Cloud ERP systems are firmly on the agenda for many UK organisations. In particular, NetSuite is gaining traction as companies look to streamline operations, improve visibility and support growth. But as uptake increases, so do the demands: resource constraints, tighter budgets and higher expectations for returns. With 2026 on the horizon, here’s what’s shaping the NetSuite space in the UK - and what to build into your plans now.
Rising demand, increasing complexity
In the UK, the move toward cloud-based ERP is accelerating. Businesses across sectors are choosing NetSuite for its flexibility and fit-for-purpose model. But the journey is rarely straightforward.
Even though local requirements (e.g., UK tax, payroll, regulatory compliance) might seem familiar, they still require careful handling when integrating or migrating systems. The pace of change means that ambition needs to be balanced with realistic timelines, clear partner selection and internal readiness.
Skilled resource pressures remain a key hurdle
Despite strong interest, the supply of experienced NetSuite consultants, developers and implementation leads in the UK remains limited. That’s making recruitment more competitive, project timelines more volatile and implementation costs more unpredictable.
For UK-based companies budgeting for 2026, it’s worth factoring in:
- A strong market for NetSuite skills, meaning more competition and potentially higher rates.
- Potential for delays or scope drift where internal or external resources are stretched.
- The need for structured change management and training to ensure the system doesn’t just go live, but is adopted and delivers.
In short - the people and process side of NetSuite deployments deserve as much attention as the software itself.
Budgeting with clarity for 2026
ERP modernisation remains a clear priority in the UK, but financial scrutiny is high and expectations for cost-effectiveness are sharper. Here are key budget areas to review:
- Licences and subscriptions: These can increase as usage expands, modules are added or seats change.
- Implementation & integration: These areas often exceed initial forecasts; build in a buffer.
- Training, adoption & support: A frequently overlooked area, but critical for value realisation.
- Ongoing refinement: After go-live, there’s often further optimisation, localisation or process fine-tuning (for example adapting to UK regulatory changes or business growth).
The biggest misstep? Assuming the implementation is done once the system is live. Effective planning means recognising it’s the start of a journey, not the end point.
UK particularities vs. broader Europe
It’s useful to recognise the factors that make the UK market slightly different from other European regions:
- Regulatory/regime changes: UK companies may face different compliance pressures (e.g., post-Brexit rules, tax changes, data protection) which affect ERP work.
- Language and ecosystem: The UK market often moves faster than some European countries in cloud-ERP adoption, but the pool of niche NetSuite specialists can still be thin.
- Sector mix: The UK has a strong services-economy footprint (professional services, fintech, wholesale/distribution) which may favour quicker deployments compared to manufacturing-intensive regions.
For recruiters or hiring leads, this means the type of NetSuite experience sought may differ: by sector, by scale or by UK-centric compliance/localisation background.
What to watch for in 2026
Looking ahead, several themes in the UK NetSuite market appear set to become more prominent:
- Embedded analytics and automation: UK organisations will increasingly expect ERP systems to generate insights and drive decisions - not just record data.
- Modular and hybrid models: More businesses will favour flexible, scalable ERP roll-outs (e.g., regional, subsidiary, or “phase-in” approaches) rather than big-bang.
- Sustainability and ESG: UK firms are under pressure to report and act on environmental, social and governance issues - and the ERP becomes a key source of the data needed.
- Cloud infrastructure diversity: More UK firms, especially larger ones, may adopt multi-cloud or hybrid strategies to deliver resilience, regulatory compliance and operational flexibility.
The successful organisations will treat NetSuite not as a “project you tick off” but as a strategic platform for continuous improvement.
Final thoughts
For those in the UK hiring for NetSuite roles, advising clients or planning implementation projects, the message is clear: the NetSuite market is active - but capable resources, realistic budgets and structured change-management are more important than ever.
To chat through any of this in more detail, get in touch with our NetSuite team.
