Welcoming new talent and expanding horizons
The Ascend Payroll journey is gathering pace with the acquisition of Payroll Savvy on 1 March 2025. Payroll Savvy is a highly regarded payroll services provider founded by Josh Donner. The business specialises in providing consultancy and training around payroll best practices and technology.
This acquisition marks a pivotal step in Ascend Payroll’s growth journey, allowing us to expand our offerings while staying true to our core values. As part of this exciting transition, we are delighted to welcome Josh Donner to the Ascend Payroll team as our new Operations Director.
Josh’s journey with our team isn’t new; he worked alongside several members of Ascend Payroll for over 12 years in a previous role, building strong relationships and demonstrating his expertise in the payroll industry. His innovative mindset and dedication to client success make him an exceptional addition to our leadership team.
Commenting on his decision to join Ascend, Josh explained,
“I’ve always been fascinated with what goes into building a truly exceptional payroll service. It was one of the drivers behind me setting up Payroll Savvy.
Now, with the merger with Ascend Payroll, I have the opportunity to fast-track this shared vision with a team of people I know, admire and trust and be part of a payroll service to be proud of.
I am excited to be working with software that is fresh and designed from the ground up by payroll people, and I look forward to having input on its development going forward.”
The alignment between the two companies makes this acquisition even more special. Both Payroll Savvy and Ascend Payroll share the same unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and doing the right thing for our clients. These shared principles have been the foundation of our success and will continue to drive us as we work together to provide even greater value to our clients.
Our CEO, Stewart Waddell, shared his thoughts on this exciting news;
“The acquisition of Payroll Savvy is a natural fit for Ascend Payroll. Both companies have built their reputations on putting clients first and ensuring every decision is made with their best interests in mind.
Having worked with Josh for over a decade, I know the immense value he brings, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome him as our Operations Director. Together, we’ll build on our shared commitment to excellence and continue to grow stronger.”
Richard Rowell, our Chairman, added to this,
“I am a firm believer in surrounding yourself with brilliant people who share common values. Josh is one such person and is a cornerstone of the elite team we are building.”
To our new clients from Payroll Savvy, we extend a warm welcome to the Ascend Payroll family. You can expect the same personalised, high-quality service you’ve always enjoyed, backed by the expanded resources and expertise Ascend Payroll provides.
We’re looking forward to this new chapter and are excited about the opportunities ahead. Welcome to the future of payroll solutions with Ascend Payroll!
