The key trends

One of the major trends is the rise of payroll automation. We're integrating People, Payroll, and Finance systems, automating repetitive Excel-based tasks, and introducing payroll analytics and data insights. This shift is significant and is transforming how we operate.

Data security and privacy are also at the forefront. With the increasing importance of cyber security controls and strict data transfer rules, we need to be more vigilant than ever. Additionally, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) considerations are becoming crucial. For instance, payroll transparency, such as gender pay gap reporting and EU transparency requirements, is gaining momentum.

Compliance complexity across borders is another big trend. We're seeing growing enforcement of real-time compliance, diverse compliance rules in global operations, and tightening labour laws and tax regulations. This makes our role more complex but also more integral to the business.

The impact of remote and global workforces is also significant. Global mobility and international assignments are challenging traditional payroll models. There's an increasing need for country-specific payroll expertise to manage these changes effectively.

These trends are definitely reshaping the role of payroll. We're evolving from back-office processors to strategic partners. Our role is now broader, focusing on managing compliance across borders, supporting business decisions with real insights and analytics, and improving the overall employee experience.

The demand on payroll from businesses has increased significantly. Our teams have had to widen their skillsets and utilize automation to move faster and support the business roadmap effectively.

Primark is embracing these changes wholeheartedly. We're investing in automation and upskilling our teams to ensure we can meet the growing demands. It's an exciting time for us as we navigate these trends and continue to support our business and employees in new and innovative ways.

It's a pleasure to be part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking team. Thank you for taking the time to read about the exciting developments in payroll at Primark.