The event was opened with a welcome by Frank Retzlaff from EY. This was followed by shared insights and practical experience from Yvonne Wientzek and Sascha Meissner.

One of the key messages from the outset was that the selection of a service provider should never be driven by price alone. Instead, it became clear that the right partner must be aligned not only with the current operational needs of the company, but also with the future direction of the organisation and its mobility programme. Equally important is the human element: successful collaboration depends on there being the right chemistry between both organisations.

This also creates a clear mandate for Global Mobility and HR. Choosing the right partner cannot be left to Procurement alone. HR Global Mobility needs to be involved early and actively in the RfP process. Successful partner selection depends on close collaboration between the business function and Procurement throughout the entire process.

In the subsequent breakout sessions, moderated by our panellists Yvonne Wientzek, Sascha Meissner and Christoph Korthues, the topic was explored further from different angles and discussed in a deliberately open and at times controversial way. Particularly valuable was the contrast between the perspectives of corporate organisations and service providers.

The panel discussion that followed reinforced that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to outsourcing in Global Mobility. The right partner must always be chosen according to the specific needs of the respective mobility programme. Themes such as transparency, honesty and personal chemistry between the individuals involved were repeatedly highlighted as critical success factors.

Looking ahead, there was broad agreement that Global Mobility increasingly needs to be viewed as an ecosystem. Isolated stand-alone solutions are becoming less relevant. Instead, it will be increasingly important to work across organisations on future-ready solutions. This also opens up a new and meaningful field of opportunity for service providers to help shape and advance such developments.

The networking session that followed provided a welcome opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and make many new connections.

A sincere thank you to our speakers, to EY as our host, and to all participants for an engaging and inspiring afternoon. We are already looking forward to our next meeting on 29 April 2026 in Cologne.