How to become a European HR & payroll champion

 

Over the past four years, SD Worx has expanded throughout Europe: having onboarded eight new countries and completed more than twenty acquisitions.  

Different labour laws, political contexts, cultures and expectations make Europe one of the most complex regions in the world. That's why we sat down with Csaba Farkas-Pall, Head of Strategic M&A Integrations at SD Worx, to dive into what it truly takes to become a European HR & Payroll champion. 

“A European champion means having European roots,” Csaba says. “It means understanding and respecting local regulation, while offering solutions that work across borders.” 

Before entering a new country or acquiring a company, SD Worx assesses market maturity, regulatory complexity, political and economic stability, and long-term potential.  

Equally important is strategic fit: does the company align with SD Worx’s core ambition? 

“We don’t look for growth at any cost,” Csaba emphasises. “We look for businesses that fit our strategy, our values and our ambition. What is the purpose of this acquisition? What do we want to achieve?” 

Sometimes the goal is limited: shared systems, knowledge exchange, operational alignment. In other cases, the ambition is full integration – one brand, one go-to-market, one operating model.  

But the broader the ambition, the more time and care integration requires. 

“If you push full integration too fast when the organisation isn’t ready,” Csaba warns, “you risk damaging the business instead of strengthening it. Acquiring companies without integrating them properly creates internal complexity, which can hinder the business.” 

For SD Worx in 2026, entering new countries remains a priority, but so does strengthening existing markets through targeted acquisitions. 

“We’re not just expanding geographically,” Csaba explains. “We’re also deepening our presence where we already are.” 

SD Worx’s European journey shows that becoming a champion is not about conquering markets, but about earning trust, country by country, integration by integration. 

Interested in learning about how SD Worx can support your European expansion? Contact us today and one of our experts will be in touch.