Behind The Button

In this episode of 'Behind the Button', we explore Mathew Akrigg's journey from pay professional to leading the CIPP’s policy and Advisory Service functions.

Mathew shares insights from his secondment with HM Revenue and Customs and his experience representing the pay professions in the House of Commons, discussing how evidence-based advocacy can help shape legislation and turn good intentions into better outcomes.

The conversation explores preparation for mandatory payrolling of certain benefits in kind from April 2027 and the importance of collaboration between payroll, human resources, finance and reward teams in this space, but also more broadly.

Mathew also discusses artificial intelligence, professional development, leadership and how pay professionals can raise the profile of their profession. This episode highlights the fact that the pay industries play a vital role in supporting employers, employees and the wider economy, and that the opportunities for career progression in pay are significant.

Glossary

HMRC = HM Revenue and Customs, NI = National Insurance, PAYE = pay as you earn, RTI = real time information

Links

Follow Mathew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-akrigg-mcippdip-maat-1079ba20b/

The CIPP's website: https://www.cipp.org.uk/

The CIPP Policy team's consultation responses: https://www.cipp.org.uk/resources/consultation-responses.html

Holiday pay recording-keeping guidance from April 2026: https://www.acas.org.uk/checking-holiday-entitlement/keeping-records

Holiday pay updates January 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simplifying-holiday-entitlement-and-holiday-pay-calculations/holiday-pay-and-entitlement-reforms-from-1-january-2024

Mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind and expenses – interim guidance and legislation: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/draft-guidance-and-legislation-to-aid-preparation-for-reporting-benefits-in-kind-in-real-time

Payroll Insights Surveys 2027: https://www.cipp.org.uk/resources/payroll-insights-survey-series-section-landing/complete-the-2027-payroll-insight-survey.html

Payroll Insights Survey Reports 2026: https://www.cipp.org.uk/resources/payroll-insights-survey-series-section-landing/view-the-survey-reports.html

Steve Krause of the South African Payroll Association (SAPA) explores the evolving role of pay in South Africa and its growing importance as businesses expand across African markets.

As younger professionals help raise the profile of the profession, pay professionals continue to navigate complex regulatory environments, overlapping legislation and sometimes inconsistent guidance from revenue authorities. Krause discusses how international collaboration and the sharing of practical knowledge can help address these challenges, while ensuring pay professionals receive greater recognition for their expertise and contributions.

The conversation also examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in payroll. Rather than focussing on job replacement Steve highlights data privacy and governance as key considerations as organisations explore emerging technologies.

Looking ahead, he shares his vision for a profession with greater influence at senior leadership level and increased global visibility.

Discover how pay professionals are currently navigating change, sharing expertise and helping to shape the future of payroll in South Africa and beyond.

*Please note, Steve references several CIPP staff in this episode, including Jason Davenport, our CEO, Sarah Jones, our Event Manager, Sarah Winnett, our Marketing Manager and Daniel Cull, our Commercial Development Manager. He also references Ken, this is Ken Pullar, the previous CEO of the CIPP.

Links

The South African Payroll Association website: https://www.sapayroll.co.za/

As part of our special global payroll leader mini-series of ‘Behind the Button’, we're joined by Jim Medlock, President of US payroll association, Payroll Org, to talk through payroll’s challenges, opportunities and the shared priorities of the profession across the world.

In this episode, the conversation explores changing legislation, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and the impact of artificial intelligence, emphasising the importance of verifying automated outputs. Jim also highlights how accurate payroll data can support strategic decisions, alongside discussing the need for continuous education and constructive engagement with Government.

The discussion highlights that, despite regulatory differences around the globe, pay professionals all share the common goal of paying employees accurately and on time. Jim also calls for greater industry input into legislation and encourages teams to maximise their existing software’s capabilities.

Glossary

IRS = Internal Revenue Service

Links

PayrollOrg’s 'PayTalk' podcast: https://payroll.org/news-resources/resources/paytalk

Jason Low’s family has spent three decades championing payroll in Australia, building the Association for Payroll Specialists (TAPS) into a thriving community dedicated to education, connection and professional recognition.

In this episode, Jason reflects on TAPS’ remarkable growth, his unexpected career in payroll and why the profession deserves greater investment and support. He explores the complexities of Australian employment legislation and the importance of ongoing training in helping businesses get pay right.

From working with the Australian Tax Office to sharing knowledge with payroll communities in the UK , Canada and beyond, Jason demonstrates the power of global collaboration in tackling common challenges.

His message is clear: simpler rules, stronger support and greater recognition can help pay professionals thrive.

Expect humour, heart and passion throughout this fantastic episode.

Glossary

ATO = Australian Tax Office

Links

TAPS website: www.payroll.com.au

Join us as we speak to Shane Ormsby, General Manager of the Irish Payroll Association (IPASS). He shares his journey from higher education into payroll and his vision for the profession’s future.

Discover how IPASS supports pay professionals in Ireland through education, qualifications and professional development, helping build the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate an ever-changing regulatory landscape. Shane also explores the importance of raising awareness of payroll as a rewarding career and attracting the next generation of talent.

The conversation also looks at how artificial intelligence can enhance accuracy, streamline routine tasks and create opportunities for pay professionals to contribute greater strategic insight, while keeping human expertise and trust at the heart of decision-making.

Shane highlights the value of collaboration between industry, Government and payroll communities worldwide. By sharing knowledge and learning across borders, professionals can strengthen the wider payroll landscape and help shape a more connected, confident and future-ready profession.

*Also, please note, when Shane references 'Jason', he is speaking about the CIPP's Chief Executive Officer, Jason Davenport

Glossary

AI = artificial intelligence, BIK = benefit in kind, EV = electric vehicle, LLMs = large language models, PAYE = pay as you earn,

Links

Follow Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ormsby/

IPASS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/irish-payroll-association/

Bright on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightsg/

In this episode from our special mini-series of 'Behind the Button', we’re joined by Peter Tzanetakis, President and Chief Executive Officer, from the National Payroll Institute in Canada for a fascinating conversation that goes beyond payroll.

We talk all things hockey and Led Zeppelin before exploring his journey from a finance background into the world of payroll. He shares his first impressions of the profession, how pay professionals work alongside the Canadian Government and the key challenges and opportunities facing the pay community across Canada today.

Join us for an engaging discussion about the evolving payroll landscape, the importance of collaboration and what the future holds for the profession in Canada.

Payroll sits at the frontline of workplace compliance, and its role is about to become even more important.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Lisa Pinney, Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Work Agency (FWA), to explore how the new agency is reshaping the way workplace rules are understood, supported and enforced.

Lisa shares her journey from public service and environmental protection to building a new organisation from the ground up. She reveals the opportunities brought about by bringing enforcement bodies together, developing new powers and creating a culture built around fairness and collaboration.

We get into the issues that matter to pay professionals, from minimum wage and holiday pay to statutory sick pay, and look ahead to what it will mean when the FWA takes on holiday pay enforcement from 2027.

Lisa explains why pay professionals are the 'champions of compliance', along with how the FWA will support employers who want to get things right, but how it will take firm action against deliberate exploitation.

Plus, she shares her vision for the next three years and what success could mean for workers, employers and the wider pay professions.

Glossary

NED = Non-Executive Director

Links

The Fair Work Agency website: Fair Work Agency - GOV.UK

The Fair Work Agency Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FairWorkAgency

The Far Work Agency LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fair-work-agency

The Fair Work Agency Instgram page: https://www.instagram.com/fairworkagency/

What does the Employment Rights Act mean for pay professionals and the people they pay?

In this very special episode of 'Behind the Button', we’re joined by the Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden MP, to talk about the changes coming to employment rights across the UK.

Kate talks about what first drew her into politics and her family’s trade union background. She also explains why she believes the Employment Rights Act is such an important step forward for workers.

We look at some of the key changes, including statutory sick pay, day-one paternity leave, zero-hours contracts and unfair dismissal protection. Kate also explains why the changes need to be introduced carefully, giving businesses time to prepare.

There’s a particular focus on payroll. As Kate points out, pay teams are often closest to how changes like these work in practice. And their feedback matters massively to Government.

We also look at what the UK can learn from other countries and what Kate hopes will have changed for workers a year from now.

Glossary

OECD = Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

Links

Employment Rights Act 2025 changes guidance: https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/employment-changes/

Revised Tipping Code of Practice - Make Work Pay: revised tipping code of practice - GOV.UK

Equal Pay and Pay Discrimination - Equal pay and pay discrimination - GOV.UK

Workplace Monitoring Technologies - Make Work Pay: workplace monitoring technologies - GOV.UK

Timelines - Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update - GOV.UK

Payroll is no longer just about processing pay; it’s becoming a strategic force for change.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Button’, Abigail Vaughan, CEO of Zellis, explores how legislation, technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and shifting workforce expectations are reshaping payroll. From her unconventional career journey to leading through rapid change, Abigail shares why communication and prioritisation are essential in an increasingly change-fatigued workplace.

She discusses how payroll teams can balance non-negotiable compliance with a better employee experience, and why payroll deserves a consumer-grade experience rather than remaining an ‘unloved’ back-office function.

Abigail also reflects on the pandemic, when payroll’s critical role became impossible for CEOs to ignore and how investment in people and technology can strengthen organisations.

Looking ahead, AI could transform payroll roles from repetitive data entry to higher-value work centred on interpretation, judgment and insight, but only if professionals commit to continuous learning and reskilling. Automation could also help improve work-life balance.

From financial wellbeing and benefits to real-time reporting and industry collaboration, this episode asks a bigger question: what could payroll become next?

Glossary

AI = artificial intelligence, HMRC = HM Revenue and Customs

Links

Follow Abigail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-vaughan-731642/

The Zellis website: https://www.zellis.com/

Follow Zellis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zellisukltd/

Gartner Workforce Change Fatigue Survey: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/LVwmCxGD2t192Wpf8fEEiyNAco?domain=gartner.com

Zellis Financial Fitness Report: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/JmvYCy8E9Ir0lBGHMhmmixRA4f?domain=solutions.zellis.com

CIPP 'Payroll for non-payroll professionals' course: https://www.cipp.org.uk/course/payroll-for-non-payroll-professionals.html

Anthony Macey, Chief Operating Officer of CIPP's Corporate Partner, Portfolio Payroll, talks about the growing opportunities within the pay professions and why payroll has become such a rewarding and varied career, using his experience of working in payroll recruitment for the last 22 years .

Payroll is becoming more complex, with professionals needing to understand data, analytics and the wider needs of the business. Anthony discusses how the role is developing, the skills needed to succeed and why there are more opportunities for progression than ever.

He also reflects on National Payroll Week and Portfolio Payroll’s long-standing relationship with the CIPP, which has seen us work together on this hugely important event in the payroll calendar for more than two decades.

Anthony shares Portfolio Payroll’s approach to adding value beyond recruitment, including its support for initiatives such as the CIPP's Payroll Quick Learn training, as well as his own, personal journey of hard work and a relentless drive for excellence.

Glossary

AI = artificial intelligence, RTI = real time information, SMEs = small and medium-sized enterprises, SMP = statutory maternity pay, SSP = statutory sick pay

Links

Follow Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coorecruitment/

Portfolio Payroll website: https://www.theportfoliogroup.com/payroll/

National Payroll Week: https://www.cipp.org.uk/events/npw-landing.html

Payroll Quick Learn: https://www.cipp.org.uk/training-landing/payroll-quicklearn.html