MY CIPP
How did you begin your career at the CIPP? I joined the Institute of Payroll and Pensions Management (IPPM), now CIPP, as a marketing administrator in 2003. I had no real knowledge of payroll or marketing, but the job advertisement stated, “no experience required” and that “training and qualifications would be provided” and they weren’t kidding! I quickly fell in love with the organisation, my colleagues and the members we were supporting. I was also given many opportunities to learn and develop. As part of my induction, I completed the Introduction to PAYE and NICs, Introduction to Statutory Payments and Essential Additions to Payroll Basics. I learned a lot about payroll in those three days, but the real value was in meeting other course delegates and talking about how payroll worked in practice and the challenges they faced. That was the start of my love for payroll and all of the people who work within it. As well as investing in my payroll education, the CIPP also invested in my professional qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Marketing. This supported my progress through the various roles I have held over the years. Within a year of starting at the CIPP I became marketing co-ordinator, followed by marketing executive. In 2007, at just 23 years old, I was promoted to head of business development, taking on responsibility for sales, and I also introduced a customer service team. I later became an associate director then director of business development in 2018, supporting the CIPP’s ten-year strategic plan and objectives. My areas of responsibility once again grew and I had the pleasure of leading the marketing, sales, events, membership and IT teams, learning a lot in the process.
How have you seen the company evolve? There has been a lot of change over the years. When I started at the CIPP we were the IPPM, having not long rebranded after the merging of the Association of Superannuation and Payroll Administrators (APSA) and the Institute of British Payroll Managers (IBPM). APSA represented the public sector and had been formed in 1980, with IBPM (formally BPMA) forming in 1985 to support the private sector. In 2006, Maurice Cheng became CEO and working with the board at the time, he had the vision of gaining Chartered Status for the payroll profession. We rebranded as the Institute of Payroll Professionals (IPP), then gained Chartered Status 2011, which was monumental for the payroll profession and everyone working in it. The CIPP as we know it today was born, with IPP Education Ltd remaining a subsidiary organisation to deliver our education and training provision. What’s been your biggest achievement at the CIPP? Prior to my leaving, I would have said launching and growing the Annual Excellence Awards or raising the profile of payroll and the CIPP leading to growth in membership. But now, what stands out is the feedback I’ve had from members who have said that I supported them and made them feel included from the early days of their careers. Knowing that I have made a difference to someone’s career and encouraged them to choose payroll as a profession is what I am most proud of. I’m also proud of the team I am leaving CIPP in the care of. They are amazing, have great ideas and are all passionate about what the CIPP is trying to achieve. I look forward to watching them succeed in the future.
How has your time at the CIPP prepared you for your next steps in your career? I have been given many opportunities to grow and develop during my time at the CIPP. The investment in my professional qualifications and personal development has been invaluable to me. My time at the CIPP has given me confidence in my abilities and enabled me to develop key skills such as project management, relationship management and a sound understanding of the challenges faced by payroll professionals. Through the many areas of responsibility I have been entrusted with, I have developed a sound understanding of business operations and problem-solving, which will be invaluable throughout my career. The mentorship and feedback I received have been instrumental in my personal growth and have helped me set clear and realistic goals for my future. Overall, I feel equipped with the skills, experience and mindset necessary to take on new challenges and make a meaningful impact in my career moving forward. What are your next steps in progressing your career? This next phase in my career is about gaining more knowledge and understanding of the industry from a software perspective. I have spent the last few years talking to payroll professionals about how software can support them and enable them to be more strategic within their roles, so I want to experience this from the other side. I will remain a member of the CIPP and continue to support the growth of the Institute in any way I can, and hopefully I will be back at the CIPP in some capacity in the future. o
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 105 | November 2024
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