Programme

 

Time
Session and Details
08:45
Doors open, refreshments, networking and exhibition
09:30 – 09:40
Welcome from the CIPP
Jason Davenport FCIPP MIoD, CEO, CIPP
09:40 – 09:45
Welcome from the headline sponsor
Simon Parsons MSc FCIPPdip MBCS, Director UK Compliance Strategies, SD Worx

Morning Sessions

09:50 – 10:10
Get it right: PBIK & Salary Sacrifice
Simon Parsons MSc FCIPPdip MBCS, Director UK Compliance Strategies, SD Worx
 
Salary sacrifice enhances employee benefits, but it also brings added complexity for UK payroll teams. This session will discuss PBIK & salary sacrifice processes and how to ensure they are accurate, HMRC compliant, and provide smooth payroll operations.
10:15 – 10:45
IPP/CIPP with you every step of the way 
Joanne Leather FCIPPdip, Senior Education Development Manager, IPP Education and Dawn Baxter MCMI ACIPP, Membership Manager, CIPP
 
Meet the ‘virtual’ people in payroll. Join Dawn Baxter from the CIPP, along with Joanne Leather from IPPE, as they step into the shoes of diverse payroll professionals. Through a dynamic and insightful discussion, they’ll explore how the Institute supports, educates, and empowers payroll practitioners at every stage of their career journey.
10:45 – 11:15
Networking break
11:20 – 11:40
In-House vs. Outsourced vs. Hybrid Payroll: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why
Russell Webb, Business Development Manager, Phase 3 and Adam Ford MCIPP, Head of Managed Services, Phase 3
 
Selecting the right payroll operating model is a strategic decision that can significantly influence accuracy, compliance, cost efficiency, and employee experience. Yet for many organisations, the line between in-house and outsourced, misconceptions, legacy practices, and unclear governance structures blur hybrid models.
 
In this session, we demystify the three primary payroll operating models: In-House, Outsourced, and Hybrid, by breaking down how each one works, where each model excels, and the risks and challenges leaders often overlook. We will explore common myths that shape decision-making, share real-world examples of successful (and unsuccessful) implementations, and highlight the governance standards that ensure payroll runs reliably regardless of the model chosen.
 
Participants will leave with a clear framework for evaluating their current payroll setup, identifying gaps, and selecting or optimising an operating model that aligns with their organisation’s size, maturity, risk appetite, and strategic priorities.

11:45– 12:15
CIPP advisory panel – ask the experts 
Chevonne Wild MCIPPdip, Payroll Advisory Team Leader and Sarah Smith ChMCIPPdip, Policy and Research Officer
 
Meet the wonderful CIPP Advisory Team who support our members day to day with their technical payroll queries. This session will be a Q&A, as the team put their heads together to answer your questions live on the day!
12:25 – 12:45
Breaking the Enterprise Payroll Barrier
Chris Tosetti, EX3 and Graeme Minshull, Senior Payroll Consultant, EX3
 
See how AI-native payroll can remove traditional challenges for mid-sized organisations without compromising control, accuracy or quality.
 
Together, we’ll explore how the next-generation of AI-native, cloud-ready payroll is helping mid-sized businesses move beyond legacy systems to make payroll less reactive, noisy, and more manageable, made accessible through innovative, holistic pricing models that remove cost as the barrier to getting started.
 
This session is built for payroll practitioners and led by payroll people who understand that reality. We will focus on how AI-native, Tier 1 payroll technology can be delivered differently, without the high cost and disruption

Afternoon Sessions

12:45 – 13:30
Lunch 
13:35 – 13:55
Payrollers – Remember... We Are Not Alone
Jack Shrimpton, Sage
 
In the vast universe of payroll, it can sometimes feel like we’re spearheading missions on distant planets—navigating complexity, deciphering legislation, and keeping everything running with astronomical precision. But fear not… we are not alone.
 
This talk explores the powerful constellation of support surrounding today’s payroll professionals. From the rise of AI-driven tools that help us work smarter, to the invaluable partnership we receive from payroll software suppliers, implementation specialists and managed service providers, we’ll map out the galaxy of resources at our fingertips. And no journey would be complete without recognising the guiding star of our industry—the CIPP, whose expertise, advocacy and deep-rooted knowledge continue to light the way.
 
Together, we’ll celebrate how these combined forces elevate our profession, strengthen our capabilities and ensure we’re better equipped than ever to meet the challenges of an evolving payroll universe.

Because when it comes to payroll… the truth is out there—and so is   the support."
14:00 – 14:30
The Fair Work Agency – What do we know and what can employers expect?
Steve Sweetlove, Partner, RSM and Chris Robson, Partner, RSM
 
The first tranche of reforms under the Employment Rights Act 2025 includes the formation of the Fair Work Agency (FWA), expected to launch in April 2026. We’ll explore its purpose; the worker rights it will enforce, the teams making up its newly formed Agency; and the powers available to inspectors.
 
We’ll also revisit recent changes to the enforcement of UK employment rights, including National Minimum Wage, to help understand what employers should expect from the FWA in its first 12 months, and how employers must start preparing for the new regulatory landscape.
14:35 – 14:55
The Frankenstack Era Is Over: Consolidate First, Then Automate with AI
Kevin Fitzgerald, UK Managing Director, Employment Hero
 

Employment Hero’s UK employment data is signaling a market under pressure: full-time employment is shrinking, and 1 in 3 SMEs report being in “survival mode”. In that environment, organisations can’t afford “software for software’s sake” — yet many SMEs and firms keep adding tools (now bundled with AI features) while running the same legacy processes inside them. The result is a Frankenstack: SaaS bloat, duplicated work, messy handoffs, inconsistent data, and AI that amplifies noise rather than removing friction.

This session is a practical playbook for getting ROI back. We’ll show how to spot process debt, consolidate tools safely without a risky rip-and-replace, and redesign workflows so work is genuinely removed (not just moved). Attendees will leave with a simple framework to cut tool sprawl, improve adoption, and make AI deliver measurable value — time saved, errors reduced, and risk lowered.

15:00 – 15:25
Networking session 
15:30– 16:00
The Value of a CIPP Approved Qualification: Elevating Individuals, Teams, and Business Performance
Gillian Owen, Director, Portfolio Payroll and Gemma Mullis MCIPPdip, Senior Customer Operations Manager, IPP Education
 
In an increasingly competitive business landscape, CIPP approved qualifications have become strategic investments that deliver measurable returns at every level.
 
This session brings together IPP Education & Portfolio Payroll to explore why gaining a CIPP approved qualification matters. We'll address three critical perspectives: the individual seeking career advancement, the manager building high-performing teams, and the business leader driving organisational excellence. We'll explore how a CIPP approved qualification provides industry credibility, and leadership confidence; how it can enhance employee engagement and retention, and even its impact on operational performance.
 
Finally, we'll equip attendees with practical strategies for making the business case upward - how to secure buy-in for qualification investment. Whether you're looking to advance your own career, strengthen your team's capabilities, or elevate your organisation's professional standing, this session will provide actionable insights into maximising the value of qualifications.
16:05 – 16:25
People Behind the Payslip: Prioritising Wellbeing in Payroll
Brian Sparling ChFCIPPdip, Board Director, CIPP and AJ Jain MCIPP, Payroll Supervisor, Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils
 
Payroll professionals play a critical role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time—a responsibility that comes with high pressure and tight deadlines. This session explores practical strategies to safeguard the wellbeing of payroll teams, helping them manage stress, avoid burnout, and maintain resilience. 
16:25– 16:55
Changes to Statutory Sick Pay from 6 April 2026
Samantha O’Sullivan ChFCIPPdip, Policy and Advisory Lead, CIPP
 
Samantha will break down the forthcoming reforms to Statutory Sick Pay, explaining what’s changing, why it matters, and how payroll professionals can prepare. This session equips attendees with the knowledge and confidence to remain compliant, adapt processes effectively, and upskill ahead of the next tax year.
16:55 – 17:00
Closing session
Jason Davenport, MSc FCIPPdip AFHEA, CIPP
17:00 – 18:00
Drinks and networking
Please note that this programme is subject to change.