REWARD
Finding my strength in payroll: my journey
Lauren Winn MCIPP, Founder and Managing Director, Lucas White Payroll Services Ltd, shares her deeply personal payroll story
I never planned to have a career in payroll. With my mum working in finance, I started out in an administrative role, just helping where I could. It was meant to be a temporary job, a way to test the waters. But something about sitting in that payroll office captured me, and it kept me there. One role led to another, and before I knew it, I was hooked. Payroll isn’t just about numbers for me. It’s about people. It’s about purpose. When I lost my mum, my job was one of two things that kept me going, the other being my children. It gave me focus, and something to pour myself into when everything else felt like it was falling apart. Even now, facing four cancer diagnoses and five operations in the past 12 months, my work has been my safety blanket. Focussing on my business gives me something positive to fight for, something to push forward with. It keeps me grounded and reminds me why I love what I do.
Building a business against the odds
embrace that and grow into the role fills me with pride as both a mother and a business owner. Having Ellah in the office means payroll is no longer just my profession, it’s becoming our family legacy. To see her excited, engaged and passionate about payroll is truly special. Finding strength in the struggle Running a business is never easy. Running one while navigating personal loss and illness is even harder. But every challenge has taught me resilience, patience and perspective. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without those struggles. They’ve made me appreciate the little wins, stay focussed on what really matters and lean into my passion for payroll. My business has become my safe place – something I can focus on and nurture even when life throws the toughest challenges at me. Looking to the future My goal is simple: to keep growing, improving and showing people payroll is more than just a profession. It’s a career full of heart, opportunity and resilience. With Ellah by my side and a dedicated team behind me, I feel ready for whatever comes next. Even after everything I’ve faced – the loss, the illness, the barriers, I’m more motivated than ever. Payroll has given me purpose, stability and now, a legacy to pass on. And the best part? I get to share it with my daughter, watching her fall in love with payroll just as I did with my mum. Payroll wasn’t part of my original plan, but today it’s my sanctuary, my livelihood and my legacy. It’s shaped who I am, and it’s helping me shape the future, for myself, my team and my family. I can’t wait to see where we go next. n
In 2017, I took the leap and started my own payroll business: Lucas White Payroll Services. I had passion, knowledge and a clear vision, but it wasn’t always easy. I had to prove myself constantly, showing I had the expertise and determination to succeed. “I get to share it with my daughter, watching her fall in love with payroll just as I did with my mum” Slowly, the business grew. Today, we have nine incredible staff, and in 2024, we underwent a full rebrand. With the help of our marketing manager, we refreshed our website to a .com, updated our image and began serving international clients. That was a pivotal moment – we moved from being a small local business to a company with global aspirations. Running a business isn’t just about growth, though. For me, it’s personal. Payroll is about people’s lives, their security and their trust. Every client who chooses us is trusting us with something deeply important, and I take that responsibility seriously. My daughter, my trainee One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been sharing it with my daughter, Ellah. She recently joined the business as a payroll apprentice and watching her discover the same love for this work I did has been incredible. “It’s not just my job. It’s a chance to make a difference, to build something meaningful”, I tell her. And seeing her
Falling in love with the profession
I genuinely fell in love with payroll. I love the precision, the impact, the way it affects people’s lives directly. It’s been more than a career for me; it’s been a lifeline through some of the darkest times. Every payslip, every deadline, every client interaction has helped me channel my energy into something meaningful. It’s also been my constant through life’s ups and downs. Losing my mum was devastating, and then dealing with multiple cancer diagnoses has been exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Yet even on my hardest days, work has been my refuge, alongside the people I work with and the clients I have. It’s given me purpose, structure and a reason to keep pushing forward.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 115 | November 2025
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