Charlie leads activpayroll’s global Product and Technology function from the Edinburgh office. Working closely with teams across the business, from Development and Operations to Customer Service, he delivers innovative payroll solutions. His focus is on driving technological innovation that aligns with client needs, ensuring payroll services remain efficient, compliant, and maximising the benefits of product development time.
Q: What industry trend should organisations keep an eye on?
A: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Payroll and HR Technology is a major trend to watch. AI is transforming payroll and HR by automating repetitive tasks and reducing manual errors, such as payroll calculations, data entry and timesheet processing. It also enhances compliance and analytics, helping organisations adapt quickly to changing tax and labour regulations and flag anomalies in payroll data. AI-powered self-service tools, like chatbots and virtual assistants, improve employee experience by providing instant answers and updates without human intervention. Thoughtful adoption of AI allows payroll and HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives, boosting efficiency, accuracy and overall value.
Q: What’s a book, podcast or resource you often recommend?
A: I often recommend Measure What Matters by John Doerr. This book explores setting and achieving ambitious goals through the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework. It resonates with me because it shows how clear goal-setting and measurable outcomes drive focus and alignment in teams. Full of real-life examples from companies like Google, it demonstrates how tracking the right metrics can lead to big results. It has influenced how I set goals with my own teams and remains a valuable resource for improving performance and strategy execution.
Q: What’s one thing colleagues might be surprised to learn about your role?
A: Many people are surprised by how little hands-on tech work my role involves. A significant part of my day is spent communicating, planning and problem-solving across the company. I might start discussing a client’s requirements with Sales and Implementation teams, then review our product roadmap with a customer, and later update a Tech partner on a project. My role blends strategy, collaboration and technical insight, and wearing multiple hats beyond “techie” work is often unexpected for colleagues.
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