21% reduction
in development timescales
The Pools, Scaling for the Future: Digital and IT Transformation
Modernising IT infrastructure, reducing operational risks, and building a scalable, future-ready platform.
40% reduction
in IT costs, increasing operational efficiency
See how we helped lay the digital foundations for The Pools’ next chapter.
Over 100 years of legacy
For over a century, The Pools has been a recognised name in UK gaming. Following its acquisition by a venture capital firm, The Pools needed to address deep-rooted challenges across its legacy IT, processes, and delivery model. Modernisation was essential to reduce operational risk, accelerate product delivery, and unlock long-term growth.
Nimble Approach partnered with The Pools to deliver a complete digital transformation – modernising infrastructure, embedding agile practices, and breaking down siloes across teams.
Together we created a cloud-first, product-led platform that was not only stable and secure, but also enabled a faster pace of delivery and cultural change. The outcome was a resilient, cost-efficient ecosystem that positioned The Pools to innovate, scale, and retain a competitive edge.
The Challenges Holding The Pools Back
Nimble Approach embedded itself in The Pools’ teams, working closely with leadership and frontline staff to uncover the real barriers to growth:
1. Outdated IT Infrastructure and Technical Debt
Legacy on-premise systems slowed development cycles and impacted customer experience.
A fragmented IT ecosystem increased operational costs, security vulnerabilities and added significant operational complexity.
2. Siloed and Inefficient Processes
Limited cross-team collaboration created bottlenecks in software delivery.
Outdated workflows and limited automation reduced agility and responsiveness.
3. A Need for a Scalable, Resilient Future
The Pools needed an approach to support new products and future growth.
The existing infrastructure was not resilient and limited the ability to innovate and expand.
How We Transformed The Pools’ Digital Future
Nimble Approach became a trusted extension of The Pools’ leadership team, leading a multi-phase transformation that blended technical innovation with cultural change.
Collaborating with The Pools, using joint expertise in Product, Engineering and Data we worked together on:
Phase 1:
Strategic Planning and Executive Alignment
- Conducted a business-led technology assessment, aligning IT and business strategy.
- Reset IT department structure and culture to boost agility and accountability.
- Secured executive buy-in for a roadmap of sustainable digital transformation.
- Aligned transformation with our expertise in Strategy and Advice to ensure long-term success.
Phase 2:
IT Rationalisation and Cloud Migration
- Streamlined Azure Resources, a 19% cost saving was achieved through the decommission of obsolete systems and adjusting Azure policies.
- Replatformed Player Account Management (PAM), Casino, and Sportsbook platforms for enhanced user experience, launching new products and propositions while also improving security, performance and cost of ownership.
- Ran cloud migrations on critical systems to Microsoft Azure, moving towards the closure of their expensive legacy on premise datacentre.
Phase 3:
Engineering Excellence and Agile Delivery
- Introduced CI/CD pipelines and automated testing, reducing risks and accelerating feature releases.
- Embedded Agile governance and WIP limits to enhance team efficiency.
- Collaboratively engaged with the wider organisation to co-ordinate Business UAT and compliance testing.
Phase 4:
Customer-Centric Digital Optimisation
- Launched Jackpots digital channel, integrating Classic Pools, Goal Rush, and Lucky Clover to drive customer loyalty.
- Developed Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for cost-efficient, scalable deployment.
”Following the work with Nimble, we’ve laid the foundations for growth and success. We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but ultimately, we’ve now got a platform that’s modern, stable and scalable which allows us to fulfil our ambitions and achieve our objectives.
James Arnold, CEO at The Pools
The Measurable Results:
Speed, Savings and Scalability
The transformation delivered immediate and long-term benefits, positioning The Pools for future success.
Stability and Scalability
- Fully cloud-enabled infrastructure for the Jackpots digital channel and supporting backend services, reducing downtime and enhancing resilience.
- Strengthened security and risk mitigation, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Faster and More Efficient Delivery
- 21% reduction in development timescales, enabling faster time-to-market.
- CI/CD automation streamlined releases, improving quality and reducing errors.
Cost Savings and ROI
- 19% reduction in Azure costs within 8 weeks, self-funding part of the migration.
- 40% reduction in IT costs, increasing operational efficiency.
A True Collaboration: The Pools and Nimble Approach
This wasn’t just a technology upgrade, it was a strategic partnership that redefined how The Pools operates. By embedding ourselves within their teams, Nimble Approach didn’t just implement solutions; we helped lead the transformation from within.
With a modern IT ecosystem, optimised operations, and an Agile delivery model, The Pools is now positioned for long-term innovation and competitive advantage.
Ready to Transform Your Business?
Is your business facing similar roadblocks? If outdated systems, slow processes, or an outdated tech stack are holding you back, let’s talk.
See how Nimble Approach can help you unlock efficiency, agility, and future growth – just like we did for The Pools.
Discover what's possible for you
Speak to one of our projects team to see how Nimble could help your organisation.
