Episode 58

HMRC Transforming Payroll in a Pandemic with Joanna Rowland #58

Nick Day is joined on The Payroll Podcast sofa by Joanna Rowland, Director General, Transformation Group at HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Joanna is an experienced Director General with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Joanna was also Programme Director for the Making Tax Digital project!

We discuss how HMRC managed to navigate the rapid changes required in response to the COVID pandemic. We discover how, against a backdrop of highly pressurised circumstances, HMRC successfully managed and responded to the many challenges they faced. From CJRS and changing furlough guidance to rapid testing and national legislation rollouts! 

This Payroll Podcast relives real-time HMRC events that ultimately led to the creation of new legislation, against extremely tight deadlines, that allowed payroll departments throughout the UK to have the tools, guidance and support required to pay the nation timely and accurately.

We also discuss the broader digital transformation aims of HMRC and explore why the relationship between HMRC and payroll is closer and more critical now than ever before.

In this “HMRC Transforming Payroll in a Pandemicepisode with Joanna Rowland, we explore:

  1. Joanna's role within the HMRC
  2. An overview of the role HMRC plays in relation to payroll.
  3. The challenges HMRC faced in interpreting and producing guidance against a backdrop of pressure and time-sensitive challenges.
  4. We explore the role HMRC plays behind the scenes when new policies such as CJRS are developed and launched.
  5. On February 26th, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, tweeted that he was incredibly proud of the teams within the HM Treasury and HMRC for the systems set up to help pay people's wages throughout this crisis (which had never been created before), and for stepping up to "every challenge they faced".   We find out more about these challenges and how Joanna and her teams overcame them?
  6. We find out what was required to ensure the payroll industry could continue to keep the UK paid!
  7. Find out about the HMRC digitisation programme and new initiatives to look forward to.

Useful links from this “HMRC Transforming Payroll in a Pandemic” episode include:

Of course, if you are Payroll Leader listening to this podcast and you have a payroll-related vacancy that you would love some specialist payroll recruitment support with – please also get in touch with me!  I would love to help show you what a great Payroll recruitment experience feels like!  You can reach out to me directly at nick@jgarecruitment.com or give me a call – 01727800377

www.jgarecruitment.com

Thanks for listening folks – I look forward to bringing you the next episode of the Payroll Podcast real soon!

About the Podcast

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

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.