We are excited to introduce Tom Spencer, who has joined our growing team as Senior Payroll Professional. Having worked alongside Tom for over six years, we know exactly what an incredible addition he’ll be to the Ascend family.
From chef to payroll professional
Tom’s journey into payroll wasn’t immediate – his first role was actually as a Chef, but in 2019, he made the decision to join Dataplan as a Trainee Payroll Professional, and that’s where his passion for numbers truly found its home.
“I have always had a knack for numbers,” Tom explains. “With taking business, finance and maths at college, payroll seemed the perfect fit.”
Six years on, Tom has developed into an exceptional payroll professional, and we couldn’t be more delighted to have him on board.
What drives Tom’s love for payroll
When we asked Tom what he loves most about payroll, his answer perfectly captures why he’s such a natural fit for our team:
“Everything balances, numbers don’t lie. If there is an issue, balancing will always find the cause and problem-solving ensues.
Payroll is like solving a Rubik’s cube that is fighting back – with new legislation, new policies and each client having their own unique processes, adaptation is key to being successful, whether that’s processing payrolls, maintaining a healthy relationship with a client, or being able to learn on your feet.”
This problem-solving mentality and adaptability are exactly the qualities that make Tom such a valuable team member. He thrives on the challenges that make payroll such a dynamic field.
Why Tom chose Ascend
Tom’s decision to join Ascend was deeply personal, rooted in the relationships and values he experienced during his early career:
“When I moved into managed payroll in 2019, my first week, I was working alongside Stewart, who was one of the Directors. He spent time showing me the systems and processes. As a company Director, he didn’t need to do this, but he cared – not only for his own employees’ development but for maintaining a standard of practice for delivering great service.
The same went for Richard Rowell. Both were always approachable and made you feel valued. So when the opportunity came to work with them again and be a part of this exciting new business, I jumped at the chance.”
A word from our CEO
Stewart Waddell, CEO of Ascend Payroll, shared his excitement about Tom joining the team:
“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Tom to the Ascend Payroll team! Having worked alongside Tom for over six years at a previous payroll outsourcing business, I know first-hand the energy, care, and professionalism he brings to every client relationship.
He has an incredible way of making clients feel supported while ensuring the payroll data we deliver back is highly accurate, reliable, and clear for review. Tom truly loves making sure everything balances because when the numbers are right, clients can feel confident in every decision.
What excites me most is how passionate Tom is about payroll itself and shares our ‘doing the right thing always’ values. That dedication to precision and people is exactly what makes Tom such a perfect fit for Ascend Payroll. We couldn’t be more excited to have him on board alongside the rest of the team.
Huge welcome Tom!”
Tom’s combination of technical expertise, client-focused approach, and genuine passion for payroll makes him an invaluable addition to our team. We’re thrilled to have him help us continue delivering the premium payroll service our clients deserve.
