"Technology does not replace people. It enhances their capabilities." Interview with William Mafille
In this interview from our 2025 Social and Environmental Performance Report, William Mafille, Member of the Management Board and Group Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Groupe Adéquat, shares his perspective on the Group’s digital transformation and how technology can support people across the business.
How does the IT Department support the Group’s development?
W.M.: The IT Department plays a central role in the transformation of Groupe Adéquat. It supports performance, agility and differentiation.
Since deciding in 2015 to develop our own ERP system, we have had greater control over the entire value chain, from recruitment through to payroll. This gives us the flexibility to adapt our tools quickly to the needs of our teams, clients, employees and temporary workers.
It also supports our social responsibility commitments by helping us develop services that are more flexible, more accessible and better suited to the needs of different groups.
How does IT support the integration of international subsidiaries?
W.M.: Our aim is to build a common framework across the Group while respecting the local needs and specificities of each country.
The IT Department supports our subsidiaries with their transformation projects by providing shared methods, tools and direction.
We also look for opportunities to share successful initiatives across the Group, particularly in data, artificial intelligence and process digitalisation.
What role does innovation play in the Group’s strategy, and what practical benefits does it bring?
W.M.: Our belief is simple: technology should support people, not replace them. Our ERP system has allowed us to integrate generative AI tools quickly and use them to support teams in their day-to-day work.
These tools simplify certain administrative tasks and free up time. Recruiters, for example, can use an AI-powered matching engine to identify relevant skills more accurately.
For clients, digital tools make it easier to communicate their needs, speed up exchanges and provide access to real-time data and insights.
Overall, this makes the Group more responsive and helps us deliver a better service.
How is digital technology changing the temporary staffing agency model?
W.M.: We believe in an “augmented agency” model.
Technology can remove much of the administrative burden, make processes smoother and give users more autonomy.
But it does not change what sits at the heart of our business: human relationships.
In fact, digital tools can give our teams more time to listen, assess soft skills, understand needs and support clients and temporary workers more closely.
What is the link between innovation and social responsibility?
W.M.: Innovation directly supports our CSR commitments. AI tools can help make recruitment more objective by focusing more closely on skills and helping to reduce certain biases.
This can support more inclusive recruitment practices, as long as these tools are properly governed, monitored and used to support human decision-making.
From an environmental perspective, we also prioritise repairing and refurbishing IT equipment and extending its lifespan.
More broadly, digital transformation can improve working conditions by reducing repetitive tasks and making information easier to access.
What role does the IT Department play in CSRD reporting?
W.M.: The IT Department plays an essential role in ensuring that the data used for non-financial reporting is reliable, accurate and secure.
Our role is to automate processes, secure calculations, structure data flows and give teams the information they need to meet their reporting requirements.
More broadly, this is about turning regulatory requirements into opportunities to improve how we manage the business, measure progress and increase transparency across the Group.
