A FOUNDING member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) has been awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours.
Gordon Cresswell, who lives in Solihull, has been bestowed the honour for his services to the payroll profession.
Gordon said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition. While the award bears my name, it truly reflects the collective efforts of thousands of payroll professionals who have worked tirelessly to build and strengthen our sector over many years.
“When we began in 1980, we started with little more than determination and a belief that payroll deserved more recognition. To see how far the profession and the CIPP have progressed since then is immensely rewarding. This honour belongs as much to the sector as it does to me.”
As one of the founding members of the Association of Payroll and Superannuation Administrators (APSA), now known as the CIPP, Gordon helped establish the first representative voice for payroll practitioners in the UK.
He also went on to pioneer professional education in payroll, developing the first Diploma in Payroll Management and later helped establish the world’s first MSc in Payroll Management.
Beyond education, Gordon was instrumental in advancing the profession internationally, helping to found both the Irish Payroll Association (IPASS) and the South African Payroll Association (SAPA) and supporting the growth of American and Canadian Payroll Associations.
Gordon also played a leading role in securing Chartered Status for the CIPP in 2011, a landmark achievement that cemented payroll’s standing as a recognised profession.
He also championed stronger collaboration between payroll and government, supported the launch of Payroll Professional magazine and helped establish National Payroll Week.
Jason Davenport, chief executive of CIPP, said: “On behalf of the payroll community, the CIPP congratulates Gordon on this well-deserved honour and thanks him for his lifelong dedication to advancing the profession.
“This recognition through the award of an MBE highlights not only an extraordinary individual career, but also the transformation of payroll into a valued profession that plays a vital role in supporting millions of workers and businesses.”
