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As we reach the midpoint of 2025, several strategic priorities have come into focus: we’re seeing more product expansion and innovation, better cost control, and increased adoption of AI in everything from internal operations to the overall employee experience.
This edition opens with one of the quarter’s most influential developments in HR and fintech: Acrisure’s $1.1 billion acquisition of Global Payments’ payroll business.
From there, we review all the major moves across workforce management, healthcare benefits, and corporate wellness, from product innovation and digital transformation to the latest strategic partnerships.
Acrisure to Acquire Heartland Payroll for $1.1B
On May 28, 2025, Acrisure signed a definitive agreement to acquire Heartland Payroll, Global Payments’ payroll business.
The $1.1 billion acquisition significantly expands the company’s payroll and HCM capabilities as part of a broader strategy to become a full-service fintech provider for small and mid-sized businesses.
Following the announcement, Acrisure’s Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Greg Williams, affirmed the company’s client-first approach:
“We prioritize the needs of our clients, and increasingly, that’s a tech-oriented solution that streamlines their back-office operations in important verticals like payroll, compliance, and billing.”
Heartland serves over 50,000 U.S. clients and will be rebranded post-closing, with Vince Lombardo, formerly President of North America Merchant Solutions at Global Payments, taking over as CEO.
“I’m honored to join Acrisure and work alongside Greg and the incredible team he’s built as we continue to build the most comprehensive provider of financial service products for businesses around the world,” added Lombardo.
This move follows Acrisure’s recent $2.1 billion funding round led by Bain Capital, which raised the company’s valuation to $32 billion.
Read the full press release here: Acrisure Acquires Payroll Business from Global Payments for $1.1 Billion to Expand its Fintech Product Offering
UKG Adds Industry-Specific Scheduling Technology with Shiftboard Acquisition
Another acquisition that marked the end of May was UKG’s takeover of Shiftboard, a leading employee scheduling software platform serving high-compliance sectors such as oil and gas, energy, and manufacturing.
The deal, finalized on May 30, 2025, adds an industry-specific scheduling engine to UKG’s Pro Workforce Management suite, designed to handle union compliance, fatigue management, and labor planning.
UKG, which supports two-thirds of Fortune 1000 companies, including 70% of Fortune 500 manufacturers, aims to deliver a next-generation workforce experience by combining Shiftboard’s deep domain expertise with its AI-first technology platform.
“For hundreds of organizations navigating some of the most intensely regulated industries, Shiftboard’s industry-leading employee scheduling engine has been a game changer, unlocking new levels of efficiency, flexibility, productivity, and employee engagement in sectors defined by rapidly changing production demands,” said Rachel Barger, President, GTM at UKG.
Read the full press release here: UKG Acquires Shiftboard, a Leading Energy and Manufacturing Employee Scheduling Solutions Provider
Remote Expands Platform with Remote HRIS & Remote Perform
Product innovation takes center stage in June.
Remote opened the month with the release of its purpose-built HRIS, the first one that’s designed explicitly for globally distributed teams.
Unlike traditional systems retrofitted for international use, Remote HRIS is an integrated solution for complex global employment challenges. It ensures local compliance, AI-driven automation, and seamless payroll, HR, and performance management from hire to retire.
The company also introduced Remote Perform, a modern way for global teams to run performance reviews and promote continuous feedback. It offers features for flexible review cycles, built-in 360° feedback, customizable formats, private career journals, and more.
These two product launches address the evolving needs of businesses managing international teams by simplifying compliance, boosting efficiency, and improving employee experience at scale.
Read more here: Remote Expands Platform with HRIS Built to Power Global Teams From Hire to Retire
Hinge Health Launches HingeSelect to Expand MSK Care Access
From HR tech, we turn to healthcare with news of Hinge Health launching HingeSelect, a high-performance provider network that delivers end-to-end musculoskeletal (MSK) care.
The service offers members access to pre-vetted providers at rates up to 50% lower than typical PPO prices.
“HingeSelect creates a unified care experience,” said Daniel Perez, co-founder and CEO of Hinge Health.
“Any care that cannot yet be delivered by our technology can now be directed to high-quality in-person providers, guaranteeing consistent, evidence-based support every step of the way.”
This hybrid model allows employees to schedule appointments directly through the Hinge Health app, with visit data fully integrated for continuous care. Employers and health plans will benefit from predictable, lower-cost care without compromising clinical quality.
Read the full press release here: Hinge Health Announces HingeSelect – A High-Performance Network Delivering Unified Musculoskeletal Care
LucyRx and Personify Health Partner to Cut GLP-1 Costs
In other healthcare news, LucyRx and Personify Health have formed a strategic partnership to help employers manage the rising costs and demand for GLP-1 medications.
“Roughly 9% of the U.S. population is predicted to become GLP-1 users by 2030 – that’s 30 million people.
The growing need for chronic condition support and increasing expectations for employer-sponsored GLP-1 benefits offerings have driven employers to rethink their approach,” said Jeffrey Jacques, MD, chief medical officer at Personify Health.
“Together with LucyRx, we are providing members with meaningful wrap-around support that gives them the tools and education they need for long-lasting, healthy lifestyles – whether using a weight management medication or not.”
This combined solution will integrate a pharmacy benefit strategy with personalized support from coaches, individualized care plans for medication management, and education from Personify’s Transform Weight Management solution.
The program targets clinical effectiveness and financial sustainability, making it particularly relevant for health systems and mission-driven employers.
“Employers have an incredible opportunity to reduce long-term health care costs through successful weight management programs like ours,” said David Blair, CEO of LucyRx.
“Partnering with Personify Health allows us to deliver precisely what employers and their members need to be successful and ultimately healthier, which is our primary goal.
This collaboration reflects our belief that smarter pharmacy benefits should always prioritize the people we serve,” concluded Blair.
Read the full press release here: LucyRx and Personify Health Join Forces to Tackle Rising Employer GLP-1 Costs with Proven, Member-Centered Solutions
MAXIOM Launches Affordable, Personalized Alternative to Traditional Wellness Programs
We end this month’s industry pulse with more health and wellness updates.
MAXIOM, a health and performance AI platform, has launched its corporate wellness platform designed to improve employee health, performance, and productivity.
The AI-powered platform uses wearables, biometrics, and nutrition input data to deliver real-time, personalized guidance on sleep, activity, recovery, and diet.
With a focus on affordability, personalization, and continuous adaptation, MAXIOM aims to set a new benchmark for employee wellness and performance programs.
Marketed as easier to implement and more affordable than traditional wellness programs, the solution reflects the growing demand for data-driven and user-friendly tools that integrate with existing devices and require minimal setup.
Read more here: MAXIOM Launches Groundbreaking AI-Driven Corporate Wellness Solution — Redefining the Future of Employee Health, Wellness, and Performance
Written by tamara jovanovska
Content Writer at Shortlister
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