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11:30 – 12:00
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VIP new member event
Jason Davenport MCIPP MIoD, CEO, CIPP
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12:00
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Registration opens
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12:00 – 13:30
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Lunch and networking
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13:30 – 13:50
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Welcome from the CIPP
Jason Davenport MCIPP MIoD, CEO
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13:50 – 13:55
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Keynote sponsor’s welcome
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13:55 – 14:25
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Plenary one - Keynote speaker
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14:25 – 14:30
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Welcome from Headline Sponsor
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14:30 – 15:00
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STREAM ONE
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Leading teams in a high pressure environment
Maria Mason ChMCIPPdip, National Payroll Partner, BDO LLP and Paul Hammond MCIPPdip, Partner, BDO LLP
This session is designed to equip payroll professionals with the skills and strategies necessary to effectively manage and lead teams under demanding conditions. Participants will explore techniques for maintaining team morale, enhancing productivity, and fostering resilience amidst challenges. Through their experience and knowledge, Maria and Paul will share their expertise on navigating high-pressure situations, ensuring that leaders are well-prepared to support their teams and drive success in the fast-paced world of payroll management.
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The 10 steps good employers should deliver as part of their pension strategy
Shaun Tetley FCIPP, Head of Payroll, Pension and Reward, Portsmouth City Council
Pensions can be complicated, even as an expert in the field, so, it’s no wonder members can be uninterested, confused and disengaged.
At Portsmouth City Council, we have achieved record levels of pension engagement and awareness through a strategy to improve the outcomes for our workforce.
This session will provide 10 actionable steps you can take to turn around poor pension preparation and get people involved, active and excited about their retirement savings.
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Automation, Compliance and the Future of Payroll panel
Justyna Kwiatkowska MCIPPdip, Payroll Manager, Aston Shaw Ltd, Will Jackson MCIPP, CEO & Founder, The Leppington Group and Julie Lally MCIPP
It's now widely accepted that payroll complexity is rising and automation is becoming essential. But successful digital transformation is about more than just new systems. Modern payroll technology can manage routine processing and scheduled runs, freeing professionals to focus on exceptions, compliance and informed judgment.
This fast-paced panel cuts through the noise to explore current technologies and any associated UK and EU compliance challenges. It will also explore the skills which will be shaping payroll by 2030, as we look ahead to the future.
Additionally, there'll be a focus on why payroll projects often derail. Honest, insightful and painfully recognisable, panellists will share real-world lessons on how leadership, planning and realism can turn change into success, not disruption.
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Reconciling your HMRC business Tax Account
Ben May ChMCIPPdip, Head of Product Payroll Compliance, ADP
This session helps employers reconcile their HMRC Business Tax Account for PAYE. It covers common causes of discrepancies and practical steps to fix them. Attendees get a user-friendly Excel tool to simplify reconciliation. The session will: Identify common PAYE discrepancies, Learn steps to resolve differences, Align payroll with HMRC records, How to raise a disputed charge with HMRC
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15:00 – 15:05
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Comfort break
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15:05 – 15:35
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STREAM TWO
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Dialogue of Shifting Holistic Company Culture
Joanne Leather MCIPPdip, Senior Education Development Manager, IPP Education and Adrian Goddard ACIPP, Commercial Director, CIPP
What if the key to elevating your influence within an organisation isn't your job title, but your ability to understand the story behind the data and have the confidence to challenge constructively? Company culture rarely shifts through words alone. Meaningful change is shaped by the signals, behaviours, decisions, and unspoken dialogue that sit beneath even the most considered strategies.
This session explores how leaders at every level can move beyond traditional top-down thinking, creating environments where transparency, constructive challenge, and honest dialogue flow in every direction. When people feel empowered to contribute, question, and share insight, psychological safety becomes a driver of performance rather than simply a leadership aspiration. We'll also examine how deeper analysis of data can help individuals uncover trends, challenge assumptions, and make more informed decisions. Combined with strong communication and a culture of openness, these insights enable staff to add greater value, influence outcomes, and position themselves as strategic contributors within the business.
By connecting people, culture, and evidence-based decision-making, this session will demonstrate how organisations can unlock stronger performance while empowering individuals to elevate their impact and influence.
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How to Get the Maximum Value Out of Your Service and Technology Providers
Wendy Muirhead, Founding Partner, WH People
Payroll is under unprecedented pressures to deliver accurate, compliant, and high-quality services while navigating shrinking budgets, talent shortages, and rising organisational expectations. We explore how payroll leaders can unlock far greater value from their service and technology providers, not by working harder, but by partnering smarter.
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Disability & Pay Gap reporting - engagement & data
Cybill Watkins MCIPP, Group Product Legislation Manager, Zellis and Michelle Hobson, HR Services Director, Moorepay Limited
Cybill Watkins explores the evolving DE&I landscape, focusing on voluntary reporting of disability and ethnicity pay gaps. With practical guidance on data collection, engagement, and upcoming legislation, the session highlights how inclusive practices can drive fairness, transparency, and strategic business impact.
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15:35 – 16:10
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Refreshments, networking and exhibition
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16:15 – 16:55
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Plenary two - CIPP policy team update
Mathew Akrigg MCIPPdip MAAT, Policy and Research Leader, CIPP, Georgie Ward MCIPPdip, Policy and Research Officer, CIPP and Roxanne Slevin MCIPP, Policy and Research Officer, CIPP
Join our policy team to hear all about what we have been working on to represent you, the pay communities. We will dive into any upcoming legislative changes, hot topics (So hot, we can’t tell you what just yet) and latest compliance challenges to face the industry.
A must-see session every year at ACE, don’t miss it.
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16:55 – 17:00
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Day one conference close
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19:15 – 20:00
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Networking drinks
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20:00 - 22:30
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Wednesday evening entertainment
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08:30 – 09:00
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Registration, refreshments and exhibition
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09:00 – 09:05
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Conference Day two opening from CIPP
Jason Davenport MCIPP MIoD, CEO, CIPP
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09:05 – 09:45
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Plenary three
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09:45 – 10:15
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Refreshments, networking and exhibition
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10:20 – 10:50
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STREAM THREE
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Payroll Complexity and National Minimum Wage Compliance
Chris Carroll and David McKale, HMRC
National Minimum Wage is more than a pay rate—it’s a calculation! With modern payroll systems linking benefits portholes, HR systems and time records, employers must understand how working time translates into pay and all the other elements that can have an impact. This session unpacks payroll complexities and the consequences of getting things wrong, from financial penalties to public naming.
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How to Build a Payroll Career That Goes Beyond Payroll
Ana Laiu MSc FCIPPdip, Director of Pay and Reward, PPHE Hotel Group
Payroll is one of the most technically demanding and critical business functions within any Organisation however many payroll professionals feel they reached their career ceiling once they grow to a certain level.
This session will explore how to: - reposition the payroll experience, - build professional influence, - design a successful career which goes beyond transactional payroll processing.
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Investing in Payroll: From Approval to Impact
Simon Puryer, Executive Practice Lead, LACE Partners
Turn payroll investment into measurable business value by aligning strategy, funding, and outcomes. Build a compelling case to secure payroll funding, Align initiatives with business goals to show value, Maximise ROI from technology, people, and processes, Deliver measurable outcomes, stronger compliance, and efficiency.
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The Future of Payroll Services Stephen
Burr ACIPP, CEO, Zalaris, Kay Augustus MCIPPdip, CEO & Founder, Augustus Payroll Services
This panel will explore how payroll services are enabling organisations to navigate an increasingly complex payroll landscape while enhancing accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency. Industry experts will discuss the growing adoption of outsourcing and co-sourcing models, the opportunities and challenges they present, and the key ingredients for building successful, long-term provider partnerships. Attendees will leave with practical insights into how managed services can help optimise payroll operations today, while also preparing for the future through innovations such as automation, artificial intelligence, and real-time payroll capabilities.
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10:50 – 11:15
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Networking and refreshments with exhibitors
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11:20 – 12:00
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Plenary four - Employment Law
Paul Chamberlain ACIPP, Partner and Head of Employment, JMW Solicitors LLP
A run through employment law developments (statute and caselaw) in 2026. One not to be missed!
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12:05 – 12:35
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STREAM FOUR
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Payroll considerations for cross-border workers
Sarah Pemberton, Employment Tax Director, Dains and James Shepherd, Partner, Dains
Payroll is at the heart of global mobility strategy, balancing compliance, cost control, and employee experience. To take a strategic lead, you need to understand the technical levers that shape cross-border workforce planning. This session will give you the insight to influence decisions and embed payroll expertise into international assignments from day one. We will consider:
Section 690 Applications – How PAYE directions can simplify compliance for employees with partial UK duties. This includes understanding PAYE obligations for Non-Resident Director UK duties, apportioning income, and mitigating dual tax risks.
Appendix 5 Agreements – Managing business visitors efficiently and reducing cash flow issues without compromising compliance.
Modified Payrolls – Why estimated PAYE calculations matter for short-term assignees and how to implement arrangements effectively.
Social Security Considerations – Navigating A1 certificates, bilateral agreements, and domestic rules to avoid double contributions and penalties.
This isn’t just about processing payroll—it’s about positioning payroll as a strategic partner in global mobility. You will leave with a framework to engage proactively with HR, tax, and finance teams, ensuring compliance, resilience, and commercial value in every cross-border move.
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Emerging expectations in employee financial wellbeing – why this matters to payroll
Kirsty Small, Director, Deloitte and Aathirai Gnanasampanthan, Director, Deloitte
Employee wellbeing is discussed at all levels in all organisations but is this a topic for payroll too? Certainly, financial wellbeing programmes have implications for payroll but broader reward and HR wellbeing initiatives can also raise interesting implications. Join us to learn from our experience supporting client payroll teams adopting a range of financial and related wellbeing programmes.
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Taking the Leap: My Journey from Payroll Professional to Business Owner
Kay Augustus MCIPPdip, CEO & Founder, Augustus Payroll Services
Starting a business can be both exciting and daunting. In this session, Kay Augustus, Founder of Augustus Payroll Services, shares her journey from payroll professional to bureau business owner. Discover the lessons, challenges, and achievements that shaped her success, offering inspiration for anyone considering the leap into self-employment.
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12:40 – 13:45
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Lunch and networking with exhibitors
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13:50 – 14:20
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STREAM FIVE
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The Strategic Power of Payroll: From Transactional to Transformational Leadership Leadership
Julie Aghanti MBA BSc FCIPPdip FCMI MGPA MInstLM AFHEA
Payroll is the heartbeat of every organisation; this session challenges the perception of a silent back-office function and shows how payroll can drive strategic value, shape organisational trust, and influence board-level decisions revealing how data, leadership, and advocacy can elevate payroll into a powerhouse of business intelligence. · How to position payroll as a strategic business partner, not a cost centre. · Practical strategies for gaining board-level visibility and influence. Leadership behaviours that transform payroll culture from reactive to proactive.
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Salary Sacrifice: The Next Chapter – Preparing Payroll for 2029 and Beyond
Fiona Smith MCIPPdip, Payroll Training Manager, IPP Education
Salary sacrifice has long been a cornerstone of employee reward strategies, delivering benefits for employers and employees alike. However, with significant changes to the National Insurance treatment of pension salary sacrifice due from April 2029, payroll leaders have an important role to play in helping their organisations navigate the road ahead.
This bitesize session will explore the future of salary sacrifice, examining the strategic implications of the upcoming reforms and the questions organisations should already be asking. From workforce impact assessments and stakeholder engagement to payroll readiness and employee communications, attendees will gain practical insights into how payroll can lead the conversation.
Whether you're reviewing existing arrangements or considering your longer-term reward strategy, this session will provide valuable food for thought and highlight the knowledge and skills payroll professionals will need in the years ahead.
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Seeing Pensions Clearly, then Topping Up via Payroll
Richard Smith, Independent Pensions Dashboards Consultant
Most UK workers have no idea what total monthly income they might get (from their state and workplace pensions in aggregate) after they stop work and retire.
That’s about to change from 2027/28 when Government’s MoneyHelper Pensions Dashboard (MHPD) is expected to be made publicly available (it’s currently being live tested).
After logging in via the Government’s new GOV.UK One Login service, citizens see (on the MHPD’s main page) what their Total Estimated Retirement Income (ERI) might be, expressed as both gross monthly and yearly amounts.
We know from the Second Pensions Commission’s Interim Report, published in May 2026, that, for many people, the Total ERI figure shown will not be adequate for their needs.
This is likely to lead to questions from staff, and potentially to requests to increase pension contributions via payroll.
Richard will provide an update on the delivery and launch of the pensions dashboard and discuss how the payroll community is critical in helping workers move nearer towards the levels of total retirement income they aspire to.
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14:25 – 15:05
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Plenary five - Reward in Practice: Designing, Delivering and Demonstrating Impact
Karen Beckett BA (Hons) ChFCIPP, Head of Payroll and Benefits, Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust, Ian Hodson MSc ChFCIPPdip, Director of People and Culture, Housing 21, Samantha O’Sullivan ChFCIPPdip, Head of Pay, Reward and HR Operations, The University of Northampton
This session will explore how organisations define, design, and manage employee reward packages. Discussion will cover the different elements of reward, how offerings are tailored to meet the needs of a diverse workforce, and the resources and governance used to ensure compliance. The session will also examine the impact of reward on employee attraction, engagement, and retention, and consider how reward value is communicated and reported to directors and senior leaders.
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15:05 – 15:45
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Networking and refreshments with exhibitors
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15:50 – 16:30
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Plenary six
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16:30 – 16:35
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Conference close
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19:30 – 01:00
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The CIPP’s Annual Excellence awards and entertainment
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