Sarah Moody
2 Sept 2026
Welcome to the September edition of the Source & Connect newsletter.
This month, we share news of an investment in our own capability, revisit a favourite episode of the D365 Insights podcast, look at why independent support matters most in complex D365 programmes, and round up the latest live roles across the sector.
This newsletter is written for Dynamics end users, partners, and consultants involved in delivery day to day.
A Note from the Director
I've got exciting news to share this month! 👏
We've just invested in a new CRM platform, and it's already making a difference to how we work. We now have access to a database of over 850 million candidates worldwide, plus powerful AI tools that are helping us move faster and work smarter.
AI has become one of the most talked-about topics in recruitment, and rightly so. It's already helping us streamline processes, improve efficiency and connect with talent faster than ever.
However, recruitment has always been, and will remain, a people business. While AI is helping us work smarter, it will never replace genuine market expertise. Successful recruitment isn't about scanning LinkedIn profiles for job titles. It's about knowing your market inside out, understanding who has consistently delivered results, and having a trusted network you can turn to for recommendations and market intelligence. It's about building relationships with passive candidates long before they're actively considering a move and providing clients with a consultative, strategic approach rather than simply filling vacancies.
Plenty of exceptional people have LinkedIn profiles that reveal little about their true capabilities, and no algorithm can uncover the context, potential and personal qualities that make someone the right fit for a business. The best candidates aren't always the most visible ones, and the best hiring decisions require judgement, experience and informed conversations.
For us, the future is about combining the advantages of technology with the expertise, relationships and market knowledge we've spent years building. Technology helps us move faster and uncover opportunities more efficiently, but the human element remains at the heart of what we do. That's how we'll continue delivering exceptional results for our clients and candidates, and it's a future I'm excited about. Watch this space!
🎙️ From the Archive: Revisiting Episode 8 of the D365 Insights Podcast
This month we're revisiting one of our favourites from the archive: Episode 8, featuring Lionel Wilson, Programme Director with decades of experience across Microsoft, retail, government, private equity, and some of the largest D365 implementations in the market.
Lionel's route to programme leadership was anything but conventional — starting out as a mechanical engineer and industrial designer, moving into Microsoft during the early MSN years, then working as a CIO across several industries before landing in Dynamics programmes spanning AX, NAV, CRM and now D365. He's led transformations at Just Eat, Heineken, Carlsberg, IWG, and across government and private-equity-backed organisations, most recently steering a £180m transformation covering Finance, HR, CE and CPQ.
Lionel's central message was simple: D365 transformations succeed or fail because of people, not software. He shared lessons on:
What success actually looks like — not just hitting time and budget targets, but the business value delivered, how well users adopt and actually enjoy the system, and how the organisation copes once the consultants are gone.
Building high-performing teams — using the Tuckman model, and his own test for a great team: "If someone drops the wheel nut, the next person picks it up and drives it home." He favours smaller teams of experienced people who can each cover the ground of two or three juniors, over larger teams that need constant oversight.
Getting the partner/internal balance right — with a reminder that "It is your programme. The partner gets to walk away." His advice is to involve internal teams from day one, particularly on testing, data migration and reporting, so ownership sits with the business long before go-live.
Handling resistance and misalignment — often the result of poor communication, especially when senior leaders get involved without knowing all the details. Lionel's rule here is straightforward: communicate early, clearly and honestly, and never hide or soften a risk.
Hiring for transformation — where he argues technical skill gets someone hired, but common sense, being calm under pressure and the ability to hold their own with senior stakeholders are what actually get them the job.
The importance of communication — less formal reporting, more regular, informal contact with the team.
What to look at first when a programme is struggling: RAID logs, estimate-to-complete, and — just as importantly — how the business actually feels about the change.
His closing line sums it up best: "Don't do the project to people. Do it with them."
🎧 Catch up on the full episode:
Or search "D365 Insights by Source & Connect"
Why Transformation Advisory Matters Now
Our business is built on three pillars: Transformation Advisory, Microsoft Partners, and End User Organisations. Together, they give us visibility across every stage of the Dynamics 365 lifecycle.
In this edition, we introduce our Transformation Advisory services.
Major Dynamics 365 programmes are complex, high-stakes initiatives, and technology alone rarely delivers transformation. Success depends on strong leadership, effective governance, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to make informed decisions throughout the programme lifecycle.
That's where we can help.
Through our network and a trusted, experienced Transformation Advisory partner, we provide organisations with access to independent expertise and practical support designed to reduce risk, strengthen delivery, and improve programme outcomes.
This can include:
Acting as a critical friend, providing objective challenge and an independent perspective
Programme readiness reviews to ensure the right foundations are in place before implementation begins
Governance and assurance support to strengthen oversight, decision-making and accountability
Programme health checks to identify risks, issues and areas requiring attention
Stakeholder alignment and engagement to build consensus and maintain momentum
Executive advisory support for sponsors, steering committees and programme leaders
Delivery assurance reviews ahead of key milestones and go-live activities
Benefits realisation reviews to ensure programmes remain focused on business outcomes
Programme recovery support when initiatives are facing delays, governance concerns or delivery challenges
Independent challenge during partner selection and mobilisation to help organisations make informed decisions
Our advisory services span transformation readiness, governance and assurance, business change and adoption, and programme recovery. By combining our knowledge of the D365 ecosystem with the expertise of our trusted advisory partner, we help organisations bring clarity, confidence and control to complex transformation initiatives.
Our approach is also informed by years of conversations with programme leaders, architects, consultants and transformation specialists through our network and the D365 Insights podcast, where we regularly explore the lessons, challenges and success factors behind major D365 programmes.
Whether you're planning a new implementation, reviewing programme readiness, strengthening governance, or navigating a challenging delivery, independent advisory support can help reduce risk and improve outcomes.
If you'd like an informal conversation about your programme or transformation plans, we'd be delighted to help.
A Look at the Market
After a quiet June and July, August has picked up again. With kids heading back to school soon — a relief for anyone juggling childcare and work commitments — projects are kicking off, and demand for post go-live permanent resource remains strong.
We've also signed another end-user client this month in the retail sector, bringing in-house roles on board to help shape the future of their D365 investment.
Women's Event — 23rd September, London
We're excited to share details of our next women's event, Women in the D365 Community, taking place on Wednesday 23rd September at B&H Studios, London, from 1:00pm. The afternoon includes a transformational career workshop with Sally Spicer, a keynote speech from Kerry Hughes Wright, and relaxed networking over drinks — all for a £25 contribution. Scan the QR code below for the full agenda and to book your place.
What Our Clients Say
We're proud of the relationships we build with our clients — here's what one had to say about working with us:
"We've had a genuinely positive experience working with Source & Connect. They supported us in sourcing both temporary (contract) resources at speed and identifying potential candidates for full-time positions. What stood out immediately was their commitment to understanding us - not just as a Microsoft Dynamics partner, but as a business with a distinct culture and way of working.
Their knowledge of the Dynamics 365 candidate market is impressive. They clearly maintain strong, pre-established relationships with consultants, which meant the recommendations we received were thoughtful, relevant, and well-informed.
When urgent project needs arose, Source & Connect responded with agility and precision, ensuring the right candidates were identified and onboarded quickly to meet delivery timelines. Their boutique-style service and relationship-driven approach really resonated with us, especially as we pride ourselves on offering a customer-centric experience ourselves.
Unlike many recruiting partners we've encountered (who can often feel overly aggressive) Sarah from Source & Connect was the complete opposite. Her approach is personable, thorough, honest, and refreshingly human. It's rare to find a recruitment partner who truly listens and aligns so closely with your values. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them."
Chiara James, Director, Queue Associates EMEA
💼 Current Dynamics Opportunities
View live permanent and contract roles across D365, Power Platform, CE, F&O, and Business Central:
👉 https://www.sourceandconnect.co.uk/jobs
Not everything we work on is advertised. Many conversations start quietly, so please don't be a stranger and pick up the phone!
