MY CIPP
Lara Smart ChFCIPPdip Lara is a recognised expert and leader within the global payroll and human resource
Brian Sparling ChFCIPPdip Brian is an experienced payroll leader with over 20 years’ experience and he’s also a Chartered Fellow of the CIPP. He has worked with a variety of employers including Bosch, National Galleries of Scotland, Sky Television, JD Wetherspoon, TSB Bank and has also delivered outsourced payroll services globally with Dayforce. Q: Why did you want to become a member of the CIPP’s board? I have been supported by the CIPP throughout my payroll career, and wanted to give something back to an organisation that has the interests of every payroll and pensions professional at its heart. Q: Why are you passionate about payroll as a profession? Payroll touches everyone from working age through to retirement, and we’re the engine that keeps economies moving. People work to live, and we give them the opportunity to live their best lives and reach their dreams. Q: What’s your proudest achievement? I've had a lot of great achievements professionally, whether that be in outsourcing, in-housing or implementing large payrolls. But my proudest achievement was gaining Chartered status with the CIPP. It felt like my hard work throughout the years had finally paid off. Being part of a small but growing population of Chartered members is great recognition and I’d encourage anyone who has the strategic payroll experience to try it too. Q: What’s the area you would most like to influence during your time on the board? Getting Rachel Riley to present the Annual Excellence Awards! But seriously, I want to help with ensuring payroll is taught from a young age. Too many people leave school / college and go into jobs with no idea that these things called tax, National Insurance and pension are going to be taken from their pay. If they don’t know about them, they have no way of knowing whether they’re right or wrong.
transformation space. She helps business leaders understand how to use core strategic pillars across technology, process, people, data, controls and service to drive transformational change, strategy and governance. Lara is a member of several payroll bodies globally and delivers an integral approach to delivery and quality. She has spoken at many conferences, panels and on webinars / podcasts. She’s also a regular contributor to global publications. Q: Why did you want to become a member of the CIPP’s board? To add value and to support others. Also to be involved at a strategic level to see change in the industry and the community being created for the future. Q: Why are you passionate about payroll as a profession? It's complex and interesting. From data to process to technology and integrations, controls, governance, metrics, people and the service, there’s something for everyone. I love to find solutions, and a business function which sits across multiple business areas provides broad and transferable skills. Q: What’s your proudest achievement? Being able to fly round mountains under a parachute! And always having resilience – never giving up, even when you really want to. Q: What’s the area you would most like to influence during your time on the board? I’d like to foster international relationships with existing affiliates and new countries to extend best practice, as payroll professionals see operating international payroll fall under their remit more and more. The CIPP leads the UK by example. Additionally, I’d like to assist with the continued growth strategy, to reach more businesses and professionals, and to gain recognition.
Q: We’ve heard you’re a bit of a globetrotter. Where’s your favourite holiday destination and why? This is so hard! I like different places for different things: l Peru / Colombia for the jungles, trekking, people and culture l Switzerland for the mountains, paragliding and cow bells l the Arctic for the wilderness and northern lights l South France for its food, wine, weather and lifestyle l Yosemite in the US is a really enchanting place and has amazing hikes and wildlife l you can't beat the coffee in Australia and New Zealand!
Q: Rumour has it you’re a Dunfermline Athletic fan. How old were you when you started watching football and do you have a favourite memory of your team? I was 12 years old when I went to my first game and was hooked from an early age. It’s never an easy time being a fan of a small, provincial football team and you need to learn to accept the lows and celebrate the highs when they happen. It’s a bit like working in payroll! My favourite memory is the 1995/96 football season, when despite a catalogue of setbacks, including the tragic death mid-season of our captain, we gained promotion to the Scottish Premier League!
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 99 | April 2024
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