Behind The Button

Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Careers
  • Updated fortnightly

Behind the Button is your all-access guide to the intricate, fast-moving world of pay. From 2026, every fortnight we sit down with experts from across the pay professions to uncover the stories, challenges and innovations shaping this essential industry. From legislative updates and technological change to the evolving roles found within pay teams, we explore the forces that keep pay professionals sharp, busy and always adapting. Because in payroll, nothing ever stands still. It’s never, ever boring. And there’s certainly more to it than pushing that elusive button to get people paid. But beyond the systems and processes, this is a podcast about people. We get to know the individuals behind the payslips, diving into their motivations, career journeys and the passions that drive them. Join us as we pull back the curtain on the world of pay, and discover what really happens behind the button. https://www.cipp.org.uk

  1. S1 E13: Wired differently, leading powerfully

    5 days ago ·  Video

    S1 E13: Wired differently, leading powerfully

    In this episode, we’re joined by someone who has built an extraordinary career, from starting out as an apprentice with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to becoming President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. We're delighted to have Susan Ball, Chartered Tax Adviser on 'Behind the Button'. Susan reflects on her leadership journey, sharing how she stepped into leadership roles from a young age and learned to lead with honesty and authenticity. She speaks about living with dyslexia, explaining how she became open about it and discussing how sharing vulnerabilities can empower others to feel confident in speaking about their own experiences. Throughout the conversation, Susan discusses the defining moments that have shaped her leadership style, the challenges she's faced along the way and the importance of trusting and leaning on the expertise of the people around her. She also shares valuable insights into building supportive teams, navigating difficult periods in life and work and creating environments where people feel understood and valued. Released during the month in which Mental Health Awareness Week falls, this episode is a must-listen for anyone leading a team or looking to better understand neurodivergence in the workplace and beyond. Links Follow Susan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ball-ciot/ Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT): https://www.tax.org.uk/ British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/

    58 min
  2. S1 E12: 20/20 vision for pay

    11 May

    S1 E12: 20/20 vision for pay

    Emma Greenfield, Head of Payroll Services at Specsavers, is a dedicated pay professional with a career in the industry that began in her teenage years. Since then, she's built extensive experience processing payroll across a wide variety of sectors, working in both in-house teams and outsourced payroll environments. Her journey through the profession has given her a unique perspective on the challenges, changes and opportunities within the world of pay. In this episode of 'Behind the Button', we take a closer look at Emma’s career journey and the passion for payroll that's kept her motivated throughout the years. We discuss the different roles she's held, the lessons learned along the way, and why she ultimately chose to remain in payroll despite opportunities to branch into other areas of business. The conversation also explores Emma’s leadership journey, including how she found herself leading teams from a very young age and the experiences that helped shape her leadership style. From mentors and role models to real-life challenges and career-defining moments, Emma shares the influences which have guided her approach to supporting and developing others. Packed with Emma's honest reflections and her genuine enthusiasm for the profession, this episode offers an engaging look behind the scenes of a successful career in payroll. Glossary JBP model = joint business plan model, PAS = the CIPP's Payroll Assurance Scheme, P&L = profit and loss, SOPs = standard operating procedures Links Follow Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-greenfield-b456bb47/ Find out more about the CIPP's Payroll Assurance Scheme: https://www.cipp.org.uk/best-practice/payroll-assurance-scheme.html Find out more about Payroll QuickLearn or 'PQL': https://www.cipp.org.uk/training-landing/payroll-quicklearn.html Find out more about IPPE qualifications: https://www.cipp.org.uk/training-and-education.html

    28 min
  3. S1 E11: Hosts in the hot seat: their lives in pay

    4 May

    S1 E11: Hosts in the hot seat: their lives in pay

    In this special episode, we turn the tables on the traditional 'Behind the Button' format. Instead of leading the conversation, the hosts step into the spotlight as the guests. Join Lora Murphy and Adrian Goddard for a personal and wide-ranging conversation as they step away from their usual roles and share their own stories. Lora and Adrian talk about what they genuinely enjoy most about working at the CIPP, and the moments and motivations that have shaped their careers. Along the way, they talk about why they feel so privileged to work alongside so many incredible individuals across the profession, while reflecting on the shifts they’ve seen across the industry, exploring how it continues to evolve and what that means for the professionals working within it. This very special episode also sets the stage for Adrian’s debut as podcast co-host, launching Monday 11 May. Glossary DWP = the Department for Work and Pensions, GDPR = General Data Protection Regulation, RTI = real time information Links Follow Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-goddard/ Follow Lora on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-murphy-mcippdip/

    51 min
  4. S1 E10: Pensions dashboards are coming: what does this mean for you?

    27 Apr

    S1 E10: Pensions dashboards are coming: what does this mean for you?

    Richard Smith joins us on ‘Behind the Button’ to share a story that’s both personal and highly relevant. After losing his wife to cancer, Richard found himself accessing a pension much earlier than expected. It’s an experience that brought home just how important it is to understand what you have in place financially, especially when life takes an unexpected turn. We focus on Richard’s work on the Government’s new pensions dashboards, as he’s been closely involved in both the design and testing of this exciting initiative. They’re set to make a real difference, bringing all of an individual’s pensions together in one place, including those that may have been lost or forgotten over time. With state pension figures included too, the aim is to give a much clearer picture of what you might have to live on in retirement, helping people plan with more confidence. Richard’s passion really comes through in this episode, bringing to life not just how the dashboards work, but why they matter. It’s a thoughtful conversation about real-life experience and a practical step forward in how we all approach retirement planning. Links Follow Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-smith-b15935/ Richard's blog, 'Dashboard ideas': https://www.dashboardideas.co.uk/about/ MoneyHelper website: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en Pensions Dashboards Programme website: https://www.pensionsdashboardsprogramme.org.uk/ Retirement living standards website : https://www.retirementlivingstandards.org.uk/ Financial Times 2014 article, 'Retiement Saver Service': https://www.ft.com/content/74bdbe44-0da0-11e4-815f-00144feabdc0 SEI research, 'Creating an ownership mindset': https://www.seic.com/sites/default/files/2022-12/Creating%20an%20ownership%20mindset%20with%20DC%20members_SEI_December%202022.pdf 2026 Standard Life centre for the future of retirement: https://www.standardlife.co.uk/centre-for-the-future-of-retirement/research-reports

    52 min
  5. S1 E9: The psychology of pay

    13 Apr

    S1 E9: The psychology of pay

    Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with the fabulous Emily Trant as we explore the fascinating psychology behind pay. In this episode, we dive into how individuals perceive money differently, and how those perceptions are shaped by personal experiences, societal influences and access to financial opportunities. Emily joins us fresh from recording her own widely acclaimed podcast, The Invisible Worker, where she shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked workers in society. Bringing that same insight and passion to this discussion, Emily challenges us to rethink how financial systems are designed, and who they’re really designed for. A key theme in this episode is inclusivity in financial products. We examine the gap between the people creating these systems and the diverse populations they’re meant to serve, raising important questions about representation, accessibility and fairness. This is an episode which will leave you reflecting on your own perceptions of money and how we can build a more inclusive financial future. Glossary OECD = Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, SMEs = small and medium-sized enterprises Links Follow Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-trant/ Invisible Worker podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLESOtaKdqCttJkiqJTiAAAaSX8YKmsAZc Stream: https://stream.co/en The State of Financial Wellbeing Report 2025: https://stream.co/en/reports/the-state-of-financial-wellbeing-2025

    45 min
  6. S1 E8: Leading the CIPP: vision, strategy and the future

    30 Mar

    S1 E8: Leading the CIPP: vision, strategy and the future

    In this special episode of 'Behind the Button', we turn the spotlight onto leadership as we sit down with our very own Jason Davenport, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CIPP. Join us for an insightful conversation exploring the Institute’s refreshed strategic direction, including the four key pillars shaping its future and guiding its work across the pay professions. But it’s not all strategy, as Jason also shares his wonderful personal story. From his unique journey into payroll to his experiences beyond the office, we dive into the person behind the role. Despite being CEO, Jason remains hands-on, still rolling up his sleeves and getting involved in processing payroll for CIPP staff, demonstrating a genuine passion for the profession at every level. Expect honest reflections on career growth, family life, ambitions and what working in the pay industries truly means to him. This episode offers the perfect blend of industry insight and personal perspective, and is a must-watch for anyone with an interest in the world of pay. Links https://www.cipp.org.uk/membership

    46 min
  7. S1 E7: From law to payslip: understanding the latest changes

    16 Mar

    S1 E7: From law to payslip: understanding the latest changes

    In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Chamberlain, Head of Employment and People Solutions at JMW Solicitors, to break down what the Employment Rights Act means for pay professionals and payroll teams. Paul walks us through the key milestone dates payroll and human resources (HR) professionals need to have on their radar, along with the major legislative changes that will affect how organisations manage pay, employment rights and compliance. With the Employment Rights Act representing one of the most significant shifts in worker protections in decades, this episode provides practical insights to help professionals prepare for what’s ahead. Alongside the legal updates, Paul also shares more about his career journey into employment law, his interests outside of the legal world and some of the most surprising and memorable stories he’s encountered during his time as an employment lawyer. Whether you're working in payroll, HR or employment compliance, this episode offers valuable context and real-world perspective on a rapidly evolving area of workplace law. DISCLAIMER: Please note that changes to 'fire and rehire' will now take place from January 2027, and not October 2026, as mentioned in the episode. LINKS: Follow Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chamberlainpaul/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3BusdilH4aTe%2Bona7OjyQLDQ%3D%3D Reach out to Paul via email, at paul.chamberlain@jmw.co.uk JMW People Solutions webpage: https://www.jmw.co.uk/services-for-business/employment/recruitment-support Employment Rights Act timeline: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implementing-the-plan-to-make-work-pay-and-employment-rights-act/plan-to-make-work-pay-and-employment-rights-act-timeline-update Policy papers and consultation page on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations https://www.cipp.org.uk

    41 min
  8. S1 E6: Future-proofing pay: getting pensions right

    2 Mar

    S1 E6: Future-proofing pay: getting pensions right

    In this episode, Andy Nicholls explores the key pension responsibilities impacting pay professionals and what organisations must do to remain compliant. The conversation includes a practical walkthrough of automatic enrolment requirements, highlighting common error areas and how to avoid mistakes while meeting the expectations of The Pensions Regulator (TPR). There's also discussion on managing re-enrolment effectively. Andy outlines what payroll teams should have in place to demonstrate compliance, the documentation that must be retained and the steps that can be taken to reduce risk ahead of any audit conducted by TPR. The episode also focuses on the importance of maintaining open communication and strong working relationships with pension scheme providers to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and ongoing compliance. Tune into hear practical insights to help payroll professionals strengthen processes, maintain compliance and prepare for future developments in pensions. Glossary ACE = the CIPP's Annual Conference and Exhibition AI = artificial intelligence DWP = the Department for Work and Pensions 'EE and ER' = employee and employer FCA = Financial Conduct Authority GDPR = General Data Protection Regulation HMRC = HM Revenue and Customs. PLSA = the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, RTI = real time information, SSP = statutory sick pay. Links The CIPP's Annual Conference and Exhibition: https://www.cipp.org.uk/events/annual-conference-and-exhibition.html The PSLA: https://www.pensionsuk.org.uk/ Pot follows person' information: https://www.pensionspolicyinstitute.org.uk/media/jkllh5ah/20200922-small-pots-working-group-guide-to-booklet-final.pdf https://www.cipp.org.uk

    47 min
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About

Behind the Button is your all-access guide to the intricate, fast-moving world of pay. From 2026, every fortnight we sit down with experts from across the pay professions to uncover the stories, challenges and innovations shaping this essential industry. From legislative updates and technological change to the evolving roles found within pay teams, we explore the forces that keep pay professionals sharp, busy and always adapting. Because in payroll, nothing ever stands still. It’s never, ever boring. And there’s certainly more to it than pushing that elusive button to get people paid. But beyond the systems and processes, this is a podcast about people. We get to know the individuals behind the payslips, diving into their motivations, career journeys and the passions that drive them. Join us as we pull back the curtain on the world of pay, and discover what really happens behind the button. https://www.cipp.org.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright CIPP
  • Show Website
    Behind The Button