On 11 March 2025, Deel announced that it had acquired Safeguard Global’s global payroll knowledge, delivery expertise, and team. Founded in 2019, Deel is a provider that helps companies hire, manage, and pay employees and contractors in over 150 countries. According to Deel, it simplifies international workforce management and ensures compliance with local regulations. Established in 2008, Safeguard Global provides payroll, HR, and workforce solutions in over 140 countries, specialising in complex enterprise payroll operations.
According to the company, this acquisition looks to reinforce and boost Deel’s ability to onboard larger multinational customers with complex global payroll projects, including those customers where Workday is a core part of the HCM suite:
“And since Safeguard is an innovation and service partner of Workday, this will deepen our existing partnership with Workday, allowing joint customers access to Workday’s functionalities alongside Deel’s streamlined payroll and HR offerings,” stated Deel.
This acquisition follows a series of acquisitions Deel announced in 2024, such as the acquisition of PaySpace, a payroll and HR company operating in 44 countries across Africa and the Middle East, in March 2024. With the acquisitions, Deel aims to offer a more robust global payroll solution to the market.
Safeguard Global Customers to Transition to Deel
Deel announced that it would welcome Safeguard Global’s payroll customers:
“Under an agreement with Safeguard Global, we’ll continue to support their existing and future international payroll customers with Deel’s technology and expertise,” stated teh company.
Deel also promises enhanced efficiency, control, and faster payroll cycles through its global infrastructure and native payroll engines. In addition, these customers will also have access to Deel’s full product suite and support.
Active Consolidation in (Global) Payroll
This recent acquisition by Deel is part of a broader merger and acquisition trend in the global payroll industry. In a bid to keep serving the market and differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape, providers seek not only to innovate their products and services but also to integrate external expertise to enhance their offerings.
Find out what global payroll has to offer during Payroll Congress, held from 13-16 May in Orlando, Florida. Deel is an exhibitor in the Expo and the sponsor of the Global Payroll Reception on 14 May.
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Max van der Klis-Busink, MCIPP, RPP, is the Owner of Passion For Payroll and Vice President of Global Strategy on PayrollOrg’s Board of Directors.
