What are the most significant challenges facing payroll/reward professionals today?

Honestly, the biggest challenge right now is juggling two truths at once: regulatory overload and the expectations of a modern workforce.

·       On one hand, you’ve got shifting tax rules, pay transparency mandates, evolving pension regulations, and the ever‑looming threat of compliance fines if you slip up.

·       On the other hand—and this is where it gets tricky—employees are expecting seamless digital experiences, work from anywhere and anytime, personalised rewards, mental health support, and that elusive “employer of choice” status.

So you’re walking a tightrope: staying iron‑clad in compliance while innovating like the employee‑experience gurus HR and rewards pros are expected to be. However, this is also where our profession can shine: support the business in its license to operate (compliance) and support business growth (attracting and retaining talent.

What excites you most about participating in Reward & Payroll Summit this year?

As a first-time attendee of the Reward & Payroll Summit, I am excited to see how the event brings the best of pay and reward together to discuss how to stay ahead. I am honoured to contribute as a panellist to talk about The Future of Pay & Reward” and blend into the crowd, enjoying other keynotes, as well as talking shop with other leaders.

Although I love our digital world, nothing beats getting together and sharing experiences.

Which session or theme are you most looking forward to, and why?

I am looking forward to further exploring how Reward & Global Payroll leaders sync up to deliver on the expectations of a four to five-generation workforce. It’s clear to me that focusing on attracting and retaining the best talent is top of mind for business leaders giving them a competitive advantage, and here’s where the blend of our professions make the difference. For the speakers and attendees who want to talk about this theme: expect me to tap you on the shoulder!

What advice would you give to companies looking to innovate while ensuring compliance in today’s regulatory environment?

I’ve seen too much focus on technology in silo, and transformation projects fail. So, play chess, not checkers:

·       Start with the rules, not the tech. Understand the regulatory framework and environment first; then overlay innovation.

·       Treat compliance as your enabler. A strong foundation frees you to experiment, especially with automation and AI.

·       Pilot small, iterate fast. Don’t bolt on a shiny tool across global payroll or reward without testing data quality and controls. But it all needs data, so clean that up first.

·       Involve regulators early if possible. A little heads-up to HMRC or local bodies can prevent a giant domino collapse later: it’s all about transparency these days.

·       Invest in your people, not just your software. Empower them to understand the “why” behind the “what.” That’s where you really build future-proof resilience, as people are still your biggest asset.

What role does technology and/or AI play in transforming payroll/reward, and how can businesses leverage it effectively?

It’s here to stay, so we need to first accept that and then work on a path to assess and implement. Here are some thoughts:

·       AI and intelligent automation are game-changers for handling exceptions, managing complex calculations, and improving accuracy with fewer keystrokes.

·       Data-driven insights are no longer optional; they’re essential. Predictive analytics help you move from “why did this fail?” to “what’s likely to fail next?”.

·       Employee self-serve platforms and chatbots are not just efficient; they give people what they expect in today’s experience economy. Instant, but remember: people are still humans.

·       But—and I can’t stress this enough—this isn’t a tech-for-tech ’s-sake game. Smart organisations build in guardrails: audit trails, fallback pathways, and a human-in-the-loop for critical and sensitive cases.

In short: use AI to streamline and empower, but always let compliance and quality lead, not follow.

What inspired you to have a career in payroll/reward, and what keeps you passionate about it?

Believe it or not, I didn’t start out dreaming of payroll. But it was my first job ever, and it has now become my passion and purpose. I discovered something magical: this is where law, HR, tech, accounting, policy, tax, and psychology intersect. It’s the single most recurring touchpoint an employer has with its workforce.

Every pay run is a masterclass in precision, empathy, and agility. You’re literally delivering livelihoods, building careers, and ensuring fairness person-by-person. That matters. What keeps me passionate? Solving puzzles under pressure. Turning complexity into clarity. Helping others see payroll/reward not as a back-office chore, but as strategic rockstars powering global organisations.

What’s not to love?

What do you hope attendees will take away from your session at Reward & Payroll Summit?

Fresh insights, actionable ideas on how to operate a global payroll against the highest standards, meeting the expectations of today’s and tomorrow’s workforce. Yes, that’s pretty aspirational, but that’s what I commit to as my contribution, and people can hold me accountable to that. Let’s meet as people and professionals, and leave as renewed leaders who come back to our organisations inspired, and even more motivated to make a difference.

See Max speak at November’s Reward & Payroll Summit