Callum McAndrew joined activpayroll 12 years ago as a UK Payroll Administrator and has since progressed through multiple operational and leadership roles. His career journey highlights long-term growth, process improvement, and building strong cross-team partnerships, alongside taking on increasingly strategic responsibilities within the business.
Callum’s story demonstrates how dedication, continuous learning, and partnership have supported his career growth while helping shape the operational foundations of a growing organisation.
Callum began his journey in the UK Ongoing Operations team, learning the intricacies of payroll administration and operational procedures. Over time, he expanded his responsibilities, moving into leadership roles within both the Ongoing and Implementation teams, before taking on regional oversight in EMEA Operations and ultimately leading UK Operations.
“I have always been driven by a desire to learn, and supporting others along the way has been a key motivator throughout my career,” Callum reflects.
His career demonstrates a combination of technical expertise, process improvement, and strategic leadership, underpinned by collaboration and partnership across teams and regions.
| 2009 | 2013 | 2018 | 2020 | 2026 |
| Joining UK Payroll Operations | Developing Leadership & Improving Operations | Regional Operations Leadership | Leading UK Operations & Transformation | Driving Operational Excellence & Strategic Impact |
| Learned end-to-end payroll processes; gained hands-on experience in both Aberdeen and Edinburgh; helped establish consistent operational steps and support new colleagues. | Took on team leadership responsibilities; introduced efficiencies in Ongoing processes; supported colleague development and strengthened team capability | Expanded scope to EMEA Operations; stabilised regional processes; led hyper-care initiatives and supported high-risk accounts to ensure service continuity and reduce attrition. | Oversaw the migration of 500 UK payrolls to a new system; standardised processes; built scalable frameworks; enhanced cross-team coordination with Dubai. | Leads UK Ongoing Operations; continues to optimise processes, strengthen partnerships across teams, and deliver high-quality service to clients while mentoring and developing colleagues. |
Callum has always been motivated by learning and development.
“I continually seek opportunities to expand my knowledge, both within the business and in the wider world, to ensure I’m always growing,” he says.
Transitioning from administration into management required shifting from a reactive approach to a more strategic, proactive mindset. This allowed Callum to drive procedural improvements, anticipate challenges, and oversee his teams effectively.
Strong relationships have been central to Callum’s career development.
“I’ve always believed in treating people how you’d like to be treated. By being open and supportive to colleagues at all levels, I’ve been able to positively impact the business while growing my own career,” he explains.
His collaborative approach has enabled him to influence operational improvements and build partnerships across teams and regions.
Callum emphasises resilience, teamwork, and maintaining perspective throughout his career.
Constructive handling of customer feedback, recognising that it is rarely personal and often highlights opportunities to improve workflows and ways of working
The importance of teamwork and coordinated effort, understanding that success is never achieved alone and is built on strong cross-team relationships
Callum highlights partnership as central to his role and approach to leadership.
“Every achievement requires teamwork and collaboration. By working together, we deliver the best outcomes for our clients and support each other to succeed.”
Callum is particularly proud of leading the migration of 500 UK payrolls from TeamSpirit to Staffology.
“This was the largest operational transformation the business had undertaken. The project’s success was only possible through strong teamwork, collaboration, and cross-departmental relationships.”
Callum emphasises the importance of authenticity, accountability, and collaboration:
“Give your best in every task, seek opportunities to learn and grow, and support those around you. Building strong relationships and going the extra mile not only benefits your team and customers but also helps you develop a rewarding and impactful career.”
Callum’s journey is one example of how careers can develop at activpayroll. Visit our Careers page to explore current roles and discover how you could build your own career story with us.