Episode 201

Why Free Payroll is a Game-Changer for SMEs with Employment Hero's Kevin Fitzgerald

Managing global payroll shouldn’t mean juggling vendors and compliance risks. Deel,

recognized in the Gartner® Market Guide for Multicountry Payroll Solutions, helps finance

teams automate payments, standardize reporting, and stay compliant in 100+ countries. Get key insights from industry experts to future-proof your payroll strategy.

Download the Report: https://bit.ly/4g5mfQG


Kevin Fitzgerald, Managing Director UK at Employment Hero, joins Nick Day on The Payroll Podcast to unpack one of the boldest moves in HR tech: free payroll software for UK SMEs. 


They dig into why a third of small businesses still run payroll on spreadsheets, how AI-powered checks can flag anomalies before pay run, and why consolidating HR and payroll into one platform reduces errors, saves time, and lifts payroll’s strategic profile. 


Kevin shares early UK results, lessons from global markets, and how Employment Hero is rethinking earned wage access to improve cash-flow for employees without predatory costs. 


If you care about accuracy, compliance, employee experience, and turning two and a half days of processing into a couple of hours, this one’s for you.


Employment Hero UK: https://www.employmenthero.com/uk 

Free Payroll Software: https://www.employmenthero.com/uk/products/free-payroll-software/


Kevin Fitzgerald’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fitzgerald-acca/

Nick Day’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/


Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e


Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!



(00:00) Preview and Intro

(03:05) Payroll as a strategic opportunity

(04:25) Why Employment Hero made payroll free in the UK

(07:28) What free payroll includes (and what it doesn’t)

(08:42) Proving payroll’s value to leadership

(12:19) Spreadsheet risks and hidden costs

(16:05) Overcoming fear of payroll change

(19:20) AI-powered pre-payrun error detection

(22:32) Turning saved time into strategy

(27:09) Why SMEs are adopting new payroll tech

(29:19) UK rollout results and case studies

(33:24) Global lessons shaping UK payroll

(36:20) Benefits of unified HR and payroll systems

(41:37) Enhancing employee experience with accuracy and access

(44:47) The Employment Hero app for hiring and ratings

(47:32) Quickfire: career lessons, digitisation, and Fast & Furious

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

About the Podcast

Show artwork for The Payroll Podcast
The Payroll Podcast
🚀 Elevate your payroll game with The Payroll Podcast! 🎧

Listen for free

About your host

Profile picture for Nick Day

Nick Day

Nick Day is a globally recognised thought leader in the payroll and HR industry, with over 20 years of experience as the founder and CEO of JGA Recruitment.

As an ILM 7 qualified Executive Coach and Mentor, Nick has dedicated his career to guiding CHROs, entrepreneurs, and payroll industry leaders worldwide.
Nick received the PAYO Global Vision Award in 2024 and was also voted one of Thinkers360’s "Top Voices EMEA" the same year.

In 2023, Thinkers360 ranked Nick as the #1 Global "Thought Leader in Payroll” and #9 Global "Thought Leader in HR.” That same year, he received the Recruitment Leaders Leader Award (RDLC) and the Personality of the Year title at the Reward Strategy Leadership Awards.

Nick's deep knowledge of the payroll industry and his coaching expertise make him a sought-after speaker and mentor for payroll and HR leaders. His presentations are known for their interactive elements, real-world applications, and actionable takeaways, ensuring attendees leave with a clear path to enhance their leadership capabilities.

Nick Day has a rich history of delivering impactful presentations, keynote speeches and workshops at various industry conferences and events. His engaging speaking style and practical insights have earned him recognition as a leading voice in payroll leadership.