MyCIPP
Say hello to the CIPP’s new chair
Clare Warrington MSc FCIPPdip AFHEA, chair, CIPP, discusses her payroll journey, from her first job after school to becoming chair of the CIPP’s board
F resh out of school at 16, I started my first job in payroll on a youth training scheme with Wilkinson’s Hardware Stores (now Wilkos) and my title was wages clerk. Having no idea what payroll was about but with a passion to do well, I loved the challenges and the fact every day brought different experiences. I worked through the ranks, from senior wages clerk, to wages supervisor, and finally to human resource (HR) and payroll co- ordinator, managing the HR and payroll teams. After 14 years at Wilkinson’s, I moved to Sherwood Forest Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust, as payroll supervisor. New to the NHS, there was lots to learn and plenty of change to implement. Working on the ‘agenda for change’, and the transition to the new electronic staff record (ESR) integrated HR and payroll system were just some of the many challenges I faced. One of my biggest achievements during my time in the NHS was when the payroll system went down at Christmas, and we needed to ensure everyone was paid. This saw the payroll and finance teams pulling together to pay suppliers listed on the finance system, and everyone was paid before Christmas. This saw the team receive the CIPP Payroll Team of the Year award. My next move was to McKesson, who, at the time, had the contract to deliver and maintain the ESR system to the NHS. My role was shared services manager, and I was responsible for the management of numerous NHS payrolls, including HR and pension services. Opening a shared service office in Sheffield and recruiting 50 payroll professionals in 12 weeks was a challenge, but one we delivered, and all payrolls were transitioned to the new teams and paid on time. My next move in McKessons was to training and transition manager; here my passion for payroll in sales was strong, helping secure many new clients. Delivering training to the teams was also a key part of my role and ensured the team got regular updates regarding the many changes to legislation and new processes transitioning from new clients. It was during this time I decided I needed to give back to the profession, so I became a tutor for the CIPP in 2012. Delivering module workshops, tutorials and supporting students through their journey on the Foundation Degree in Payroll is a pleasure and I love sharing experiences with the students. I love to learn, so teaching was a perfect next step for me; my Mum always referred to me as an eternal student. Over the years, I’ve gained qualifications, which include the: l CIPP Diploma l MSc in Payroll and Business Management l Chartered Management Institute management certificates l Prince 11 Project Management l PTLLS teaching certificate l SWBL Level 6 teaching qualification. My next career move was to Bupa as payroll compliance manager, where I looked after
projects and changes to payroll, making sure they were compliant. Finally, I moved to Gist, a logistics company which delivers chilled foods to Marks & Spencer, looking after a very complex payroll with weekly pay and national terms and conditions. Currently the head of compensation and reward, my team strives to deliver an excellent employee experience, through HR systems to payroll, to the benefits and rewards we offer. Then in December 2019, I was elected by the members onto the CIPP board of directors, which was an honour and privilege for me. In 2022, I was elected as vice chair, which I’ve served as for a year, prior to becoming chair in April 2023. This has been the proudest moment of my career, and I’m honoured to be taking the reins and continuing the excellent work done so far to lead the profession through education, membership and recognition. n
15
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 89 | April 2023
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker