Behind The Button

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...

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 highli...

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 powe...

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 an...

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 ev...

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...

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 stat...

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 al...

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 lo...

In this episode, payroll expert Clare Warrington shares insights from a career spanning nearly 40 years across retail, healthcare and logistics. Clare discusses the realities of payroll as a high-pressure profession where accuracy, compliance and customer service are essential, while highlighting the importance of maintaining work-life balance and protecting mental wellbeing.

From starting as a teenage wages clerk in the pre-digital era to leading payroll operations for thousands of employees, Clare reflects on the value of continuous learning, adaptability and strong people skills. She explains how pay professionals play a vital role in supporting employees’ financial wellbeing and re...

In this episode of ‘Behind the Button’, Sarah MacIntosh, Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health First Aid MHFA England, shares how her personal experiences and career journey have shaped her passion for improving workplace mental health. From financial services to leading a national organisation, Sarah explains why psychological safety is essential for both employee wellbeing and organisational success.

The conversation explores why mental health is everyone's responsibility and how leaders and managers can reduce stigma by encouraging open, honest conversations. Sarah discusses the importance of listening with empathy, recognising the early signs of stress and burnout, and crea...

What does the payroll job market look like right now? In this episode of ‘Behind the Button’, Director at Portfolio Payroll (our Corporate Partners), Gillian Owen joins us to share her insights into the changing world of careers in pay, and what employers are really looking for.

Gill explains how payroll has evolved beyond processing payslips, with many roles now offering greater influence across technology, projects and the wider business. She discusses the skills which help candidates stand out, why attitude often matters just as much as experience and how professionals can continue developing throughout their careers. We a...

This episode of 'Behind the Button' welcomes Sam Johnson, Payroll Partner at Dains, for a conversation about what it really takes to deliver great payroll for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Sam shares her unconventional journey from studying law to building a career in payroll and human resources.

She discusses the nuances of supporting owner-managed businesses, why pay professionals must go beyond processing to become trusted advisers and how proactive communication and understanding each client's business are essential to success.

Sam also shares her approach to leadership, explaining why she prioritises curiosity, humility and confidence...

In this episode of ‘Behind the Button’, we’re honoured to welcome Jackson Parsons, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Duvet Flip to the show. He shares the inspiring story behind ‘Duvet Flip’, a movement built on the belief that life's challenges can become opportunities for growth and positive change. Following a life-changing health diagnosis during the pandemic, Jackson was prompted to re-evaluate his priorities, leading to a mission focussed on helping people build fulfilling careers and resilient mindsets. The 'Duvet Flip' YouTube channel now has more than a million followers and the show regularly hosts big names, from CEOs of la...

In this episode, we sit down with the remarkable Duane Jackson, whose story proves that it’s never too late to completely change the direction of your life.

After serving time in prison for drug smuggling, he made a conscious decision to rebuild from the ground up. What followed was an extraordinary transformation: from a difficult and troubled past to becoming a successful software entrepreneur. He went on to develop and sell accountancy and payroll software for millions of pounds, demonstrating not only technical skill but also pure resilience.

Far from slowing down, he’s stil...

In this episode, we’re joined by someone who has built an extraordinary career, from starting out as an apprentice with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to becoming President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. We're delighted to have Susan Ball, Chartered Tax Adviser on 'Behind the Button'.

Susan reflects on her leadership journey, sharing how she stepped into leadership roles from a young age and learned to lead with honesty and authenticity. She speaks about living with dyslexia, explaining how she became open about it and discussing how sharing vulnerabilities can empower others to feel confident in...

Emma Greenfield, Head of Payroll Services at Specsavers, is a dedicated pay professional with a career in the industry that began in her teenage years. Since then, she's built extensive experience processing payroll across a wide variety of sectors, working in both in-house teams and outsourced payroll environments. Her journey through the profession has given her a unique perspective on the challenges, changes and opportunities within the world of pay.

In this episode of 'Behind the Button', we take a closer look at Emma’s career journey and the passion for payroll that's kept her motivated throughout th...

In this special episode, we turn the tables on the traditional 'Behind the Button' format. Instead of leading the conversation, the hosts step into the spotlight as the guests.

Join Lora Murphy and Adrian Goddard for a personal and wide-ranging conversation as they step away from their usual roles and share their own stories. Lora and Adrian talk about what they genuinely enjoy most about working at the CIPP, and the moments and motivations that have shaped their careers.

Along the way, they talk about why they feel so privileged to work alongside so many...

Richard Smith joins us on ‘Behind the Button’ to share a story that’s both personal and highly relevant.

After losing his wife to cancer, Richard found himself accessing a pension much earlier than expected. It’s an experience that brought home just how important it is to understand what you have in place financially, especially when life takes an unexpected turn.

We focus on Richard’s work on the Government’s new pensions dashboards, as he’s been closely involved in both the design and testing of this exciting initiative. They’re set to make a real diff...

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with the fabulous Emily Trant as we explore the fascinating psychology behind pay. In this episode, we dive into how individuals perceive money differently, and how those perceptions are shaped by personal experiences, societal influences and access to financial opportunities.

Emily joins us fresh from recording her own widely acclaimed podcast, The Invisible Worker, where she shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked workers in society. Bringing that same insight and passion to this discussion, Emily challenges us to rethink how financial systems are designed, and who they’re really designed for.

In this special episode of 'Behind the Button', we turn the spotlight onto leadership as we sit down with our very own Jason Davenport, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CIPP.

Join us for an insightful conversation exploring the Institute’s refreshed strategic direction, including the four key pillars shaping its future and guiding its work across the pay professions.

But it’s not all strategy, as Jason also shares his wonderful personal story. From his unique journey into payroll to his experiences beyond the office, we dive into the person behind the role. Despite bein...

In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Chamberlain, Head of Employment and People Solutions at JMW Solicitors, to break down what the Employment Rights Act means for pay professionals and payroll teams.

Paul walks us through the key milestone dates payroll and human resources (HR) professionals need to have on their radar, along with the major legislative changes that will affect how organisations manage pay, employment rights and compliance. With the Employment Rights Act representing one of the most significant shifts in worker protections in decades, this episode provides practical insights to help professionals prepare for wh...

In this episode, Andy Nicholls explores the key pension responsibilities impacting pay professionals and what organisations must do to remain compliant.

The conversation includes a practical walkthrough of automatic enrolment requirements, highlighting common error areas and how to avoid mistakes while meeting the expectations of The Pensions Regulator (TPR). There's also discussion on managing re-enrolment effectively.

Andy outlines what payroll teams should have in place to demonstrate compliance, the documentation that must be retained and the steps that can be taken to reduce risk ahead of any audit conducted by TPR.

The episode...

In this episode of 'Behind the Button', we are joined by Steve Elcock for an in-depth discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and its evolving role within payroll.

The conversation explores how AI is currently being used across payroll departments to support accuracy, efficiency and compliance, as well as the opportunities emerging as technology continues to advance. Steve shares practical examples of where AI can add real value today, alongside thoughtful insight into how payroll teams can prepare for greater AI integration in the future.

A key theme throughout the episode is the importance of maintaining...

In this episode, we’re joined by Joss Tasker, CEO and Founder of Sync Savings, to unpack the power of payroll savings and its role in improving financial wellbeing.

If you’ve ever felt like saving just isn’t possible, this is a must-listen. Joss shares practical, realistic tips for getting started, no matter your income, and reveals some eye-opening facts and figures on financial vulnerability in the UK.

We also explore how payroll savings work in practice and why they’re such a powerful (and often underused) tool. For pay and reward professionals, Joss explains...

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on Maria Mason, the trailblazer who became the UK’s first-ever Payroll Partner.

Maria shares her career journey and offers practical advice on how to get your voice heard at C-suite level. She also opens up about a pivotal moment in her career – being told initially she couldn’t become a Partner because she wasn’t an Accountant – and how she challenged expectations to redefine what leadership in payroll can look like.

Beyond her professional achievements, this episode reveals a more personal side to Maria. She reflects on the values...

Join us for a fun, insightful conversation with Max van-der Klis Busink, global payroll expert and author of The Global Payroll Manager’s Playbook, as he shares his true Passion for Payroll.

Max takes us inside the complex world of global payroll, breaking it down in a way that’s refreshingly relatable, comparing payroll to building Lego and even the London Underground. Along the way, he reminds us that while payroll can be demanding and complicated, it can also be creative, rewarding and fun.

Known for bringing humour and light relief to the profession, Max shar...

We kick off ‘Behind the Button’ with a must-see/listen episode featuring JP Marks, First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

JP joins us to share his vision for HMRC’s ambitious Transformation Roadmap, offering insight into how the organisation is evolving to build a more modern, transparent and trusted tax system. He also reflects on his own experiences of payroll, discusses the importance of co-design and explains why collaboration with the pay profession is essential to getting change right.

In a heartfelt moment, JP thanks pay professionals across the UK for...

Behind the Button is your all-access guide to the intricate, fast-moving world of pay. From 2026, every fortnight we sit down with experts from across the pay professions to uncover the stories, challenges and innovations shaping this essential industry.

From legislative updates and technological change to the evolving roles found within pay teams, we explore the forces that keep pay professionals sharp, busy and always adapting. Because in payroll, nothing ever stands still. And it’s never, ever boring. And there’s certainly more to it than pushing that elusive button to get people paid.

But beyo...