We’re absolutely thrilled to share some fantastic news with you today. As we kick off September, and the first day of National Payroll Week, we’re welcoming four incredible professionals to the Ascend team – and we couldn’t be more excited about what this means for our journey ahead.
When we launched Ascend Payroll ten months ago, we had a clear vision: to shake up the managed payroll sector by putting people first. We wanted to prove that payroll could be different. Where expertise meets genuine care and ‘doing the right thing’ isn’t just marketing speak, it’s how we operate every single day..
Today marks a huge milestone in making that vision a reality.
Welcome Liam Ridgill – Product and Commercial Director
Liam’s journey from apprentice to Product and Commercial Director showcases exactly the kind of progression we love to see. With expertise spanning project management, software development, and managed payroll, he’s led major initiatives, including ISO 27001 certification and migrating over 1,000 customers to cloud technology.
What we love is his take on joining Ascend: “I’ve found a company where the values align perfectly with my own.” When someone with Liam’s track record says that about what we’re building, we know we’re on the right path.
His passion for developing in-house software and leveraging new technologies like AI to improve efficiency fits perfectly with our vision for the future.
Meet Victoria McKay – Head of Payroll Services
Victoria’s story is one we absolutely love. After leaving school at 16, she joined the Royal Navy, where an aptitude test revealed her natural talent for logistics. When she eventually read a payroll job description, everything just clicked.
Victoria brings 15 years of payroll expertise, latterly as Regional Operations Manager, heading up a team of 80 people delivering managed payroll services. She has tackled every payroll challenge imaginable – from large commercial organisations to complex education establishments.
Victoria’s passion for efficiency and her belief that great payroll professionals should put clients first, while having the confidence to challenge when needed, is an attitude that very much resonates with the Ascnd mindset. We know she will be a dream fit to head up our payroll team.
Say hello to Amy Smith – Deputy Head of Payroll Services
Amy discovered her passion for payroll while working in office administration, realising that “the numerical calculations involved in payroll, especially when it gets complicated”, gave her real satisfaction. Moving to a payroll bureau setting, over 12 years, she progressed to Department Manager, leading a team of 24, with particular expertise in hospitality payrolls and tronc schemes.
Recently, Amy took some time out to focus on her wellbeing and think about what she wanted next in her career. “After a few months off, I realised that I really missed payroll, but this time I wanted to be involved in something where I could shape the service and people.”
When she discovered what Ascend was building, it struck a chord. “I’m a people person, and their approach to a people-first service is something that I really believe in.”
Introducing Tom Spencer – Senior Payroll Professional
Tom entered the payroll world in 2019 as a Trainee Payroll Professional with a managed payroll provider. The work fed perfectly into his love of numbers and problem-solving. As Tom explains: “Numbers don’t lie. If there is an issue, balancing will always find the cause. Payroll is like solving a puzzle that fights back, with constantly changing legislation, new policies and the idiosyncrasies of each client.”
Having worked with our founders before, Tom was keen to become part of this new venture when the opportunity arose. His attention to detail and genuine passion for payroll excellence make him a natural fit for our growing team.
What this means for Ascend’s future
These aren’t just four great hires (though they absolutely are that). They represent something much bigger – proof that our approach is working. When seasoned professionals like Liam, Victoria, Amy and Tom choose to join us, it validates everything we’re building.
Each brings something unique to our growing team.
- Liam’s innovative approach to product development and commercial strategy will drive our technological advancement.
- Victoria’s operational excellence and deep client focus will ensure our service delivery remains exceptional.
- Amy’s people-first management style and expertise in complex payroll scenarios will strengthen our team culture and capability.
- Tom’s precision and passion for solving payroll challenges will maintain our commitment to getting every detail right.
Together with our existing team, they’re going to help us accelerate our mission to transform how managed payroll services operate in the UK.
As CEO, Stewart Waddell puts it, “These appointments represent exactly the calibre of professionals we need to deliver on our vision. Liam, Victoria, Amy and Tom don’t just bring technical expertise – they share our fundamental belief that payroll services should be built around people, not just processes.”
The journey continues
Back in November 2024, we set out to prove that managed payroll could be different. That it could prioritise quality over quantity, and genuine care over box-ticking. With these four new team members, we’re not just continuing that journey – we’re putting our foot down and showing the industry what’s possible when you build a service around what actually matters.
Here’s to National Payroll Week, new beginnings, and the exciting road ahead. Welcome to the team, Liam, Victoria, Amy, and Tom – we’re absolutely delighted you’re here.
