Alison Sellar, was one of the two 2021 winners chosen by the CIPP to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award which recognises individuals who have consistently furthered the cause of payroll professionals over the course of their career.
Alison Sellar OBE launched activpayroll in 2001 in Aberdeen, Scotland as a local firm providing payroll services to the oil and gas industry. Two decades later, Alison has led the company to become a global professional service organisation, providing global payroll solutions, expatriate taxation services, global HR, international payments and online HR people management tools to over 1,200 companies in more than 150 countries. Despite starting out as a small business in Aberdeen, over her 20-years as CEO, Alison opened 13 activpayroll offices across five continents.
During her time at activpayroll, Alison also made it her mission to become an advocate for women in payroll and led the global team in a range of charity challenges, raising in excess of £100,000 for a number of deserving causes.
In May 2021, after 20 wonderful years, Alison made the difficult decision to step down as CEO of activpayroll and take early retirement alongside her husband, Euan, Former Chief Operating Officer at activpayroll. Currently, they both continue to support the business and global team in their new roles as Non-Executive Directors, whilst taking a more active role in philanthropic causes close to their hearts.
Alison Sellar, Non-Executive Director of activpayroll, said: "I am extremely honoured to receive this recognition. When I founded activpayroll as a small payroll company twenty years ago, I never would have imagined to see the company grow to become a leading and trusted global organisation.”
“activpayroll would not be the success story it is today without my incredible team across the globe, therefore this award is a testament not only to the hard work I’ve put in over the past twenty years as a CEO, but to the team who made my vision possible and contributed to activpayroll’s global success.”
The CIPP Annual Excellence Awards took place this week in a virtual ceremony. They are the longest-running, independent awards established to recognise the pivotal role payroll and pensions play in the UK economy and honour professionals who have made a real difference in the industry.
