MEMBERSHIP INSIGHT
5 minutes with… Karen Thomson MSC FCIPPdip Board director, CIPP
Every political party talks about making tax simpler, but the problem is that tax just isn’t simple and if it were no doubt it would be abused further. It is going to be really important for payroll professionals to keep up to date and being a member of the CIPP is the perfect medicine for that task. Pensions – I think this has got some new, good press. I remember the Maxwell days and how badly pensions got it, but the younger generation do seem to be embracing automatic enrolment so maybe pensions has been re-born? As we see more freedom in what we do with our pension savings more doors will open up for our pension professionals offering different types of services I feel. Reward – this is a moving beast. With flexible benefit packages changing due to the new salary sacrifice rules, employee engagement becoming a real hot potato for chief executive officers I can see this area expanding further. It will be important for payroll to support our human resources colleagues in this space. What do you do in your available time to unwind? When I am not tutoring or working I like to spend time with my dogs. Having moved to the countryside, I love my nine hens and Colin the cockerel, along with the masses of wild birds that cost me a fortune to feed each month. Although when I see mummy, daddy and two of their baby spotted woodpeckers on the peanut feeder, it is all worth it. I am also trying to live in some way the ‘good life’ by learning to grow my own veg and fruit; wish me luck! n
Tell us about your career and background My career in payroll started by accident. My husband joined Cumbria Police and I was working in local government pensions at the time. I wanted something to do with people and numbers and a job in payroll at Cumbria Police came up so I applied and moved from Edinburgh to join my husband. I commenced the IPPM (as the Chartered Institute was then) diploma in payroll and pensions management, moved to Two Castles Housing, successfully passing my diploma and then onto Carlisle City Council. I joined the Chartered Institute heading up the Policy team in 2003 and left to work for Armstrong Watson Accountants heading up the payroll service line (circa 1,500 payroll clients). When did you first become involved with the CIPP? In 1999, as a payroll and pensions diploma student. I carried on as a tutor before joining the Policy team in 2003. How did you find the transition from CIPP employee to board member? Really easy, as I did have a break and the board welcomed me with open arms. I have found the transition from operational to board an enjoyable
experience; well, for two meetings anyway. The membership being behind me means a lot as they are the ones I am on the board to represent. I love strategy so not being involved in the day to day running of the CIPP suits me and of course I know there is a fantastic complement of staff to do that job. What do you think you can bring to the future strategy of the CIPP? Honest business feedback. I have been a student, am a tutor for the Foundation Degree and Masters programmes and am a fellow member, so can wear a number of hats at any given time to help the CIPP in its strategic direction. I love everything about the CIPP and its members and only want the best for all within our wonderful profession. The CIPP is always moving at a fast pace so helping keep everything on track is important to me, without me putting fingers in pies I shouldn’t. What does the future hold for the future of payroll, pensions and reward? Payroll will only get more complicated, meaning businesses will need to employ a professional or service provider.
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | June 2017 | Issue 31 8
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