Professional May 2025

MY CIPP

Michelle Sutton ChMCIPPdip, Head of Reward and Pensions, SUEZ How does it feel to be elected onto the CIPP’s Board? Being elected onto the CIPP’s Board is an incredible honour. I’m so proud to be working in the pay, reward and pensions industry. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my expertise and passion to the Board. This opportunity allows me to contribute to the Institute’s mission of “supporting and developing payroll and pension professionals through education, membership and recognition”, and work alongside colleagues to drive innovation and excellence in our field. What’s one of the first areas you plan to make changes in, now you’ve been elected? One of the first areas I plan to focus on is enhancing workplace wellbeing, particularly in terms of mental and financial health. At SUEZ, we’ve successfully implemented a payroll autosave scheme, which has significantly improved our employees’ financial resilience. This initiative allows employees to automatically save a portion of their salary each month, fostering a ‘save before you get paid’ philosophy. The scheme has been highly effective, with many employees building up a contingency fund they can access in times of need. I believe that promoting similar initiatives across the industry can have a profound impact on employee wellbeing. Encouraging employers and payroll colleagues to adopt autosave schemes can help alleviate financial stress, which is a major contributor to mental health issues. By supporting employees in building financial security, we can create

“My goal is to ensure that workplace wellbeing is prioritised, and that employers have the tools and knowledge to support their workforce in both mental and financial aspects”

a more stable and supportive work environment. As a member of the CIPP Board, I aim to advocate for these practices and provide guidance on how to implement them effectively. My goal is to ensure that workplace wellbeing is prioritised, and that employers have the tools and knowledge to support their workforce in both mental and financial aspects. What made you want to be on the CIPP’s Board of Directors? My desire to join the CIPP’s Board of Directors stems from my long-standing commitment to the Institute and its values. As a full member since 2011 and a CIPP tutor since 2012, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact CIPP has on professionals in our industry. I’m passionate about promoting legislative

updates, supporting professional development and fostering a collaborative environment. Being on the Board allows me to further these goals and contribute to the Institute’s continued success. I’d like to know a bit more about you, Michelle. So, could you tell us what your favourite cuisine is and why? My favourite cuisine is Indian. I absolutely adore the rich flavours, fresh ingredients and the deep sense of tradition that comes with Indian cooking. It’s a wonderful way to bring people together, which resonates with my belief in the importance of family and connection. Fun fact: I even appeared on Come Dine With Me back in 2016. Although I didn’t win, I had an absolute blast with the other contestants. Just last weekend, I hosted them all at my house, and they even scored me a perfect 10! It was a fab evening filled with laughter, and, of course, my great food! n

“Fun fact: I even appeared on Come Dine With Me back in 2016”

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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |

Issue 110 | May 2025

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