A friendly rivalry is taking place at Armstrong Watson as two of the firm's payroll leaders have been shortlisted for Payroll Professional of the Year at The Rewards 2026, sponsored by Sage People.

Head of Payroll, Karen Thomson, and Payroll Manager, Lisa Carruthers, have both been named among the 13 finalists in the category for suppliers processing more than 25,000 payslips per month. While they find themselves in the running for the same award, Karen and Lisa share a common goal: championing the payroll profession and delivering exceptional service to around 2,500 payroll clients.

Organised by Reward Strategy, The Rewards celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership across the payroll, reward and employee benefits profession. Winners will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony on 16 September 2026.

The nominations are the latest recognition for Karen and Lisa, who were both named in Reward Strategy's prestigious Partner 75 list earlier this year, celebrating the UK's most influential payroll professionals. Karen was also recognised in the Partner 50 list in 2025 for her outstanding contribution to the profession.

Karen has more than 30 years' experience in payroll and is widely regarded as a leading figure in the industry. She holds a number of influential positions across the profession, including Chair of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals' Special Interest Group representing Accountancy Payroll Bureaus and Vice Chair of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (Cumberland). She also contributes to several industry and government forums focused on payroll policy and employment taxes.

Lisa has more than 15 years' experience in payroll and has built a strong reputation for technical excellence, client service and developing people within the profession. She plays a key role in delivering payroll services to businesses across the UK and supporting the continued growth and success of Armstrong Watson's payroll offering.

Karen said: "I’m delighted to be named a finalist. This recognition reflects the dedication, expertise, and commitment of our entire team, who work tirelessly to deliver outstanding payroll services and support to our clients every day. It is a privilege to be recognised alongside so many talented professionals in our industry and alongside Lisa."

Lisa added: "I'm incredibly proud to have been shortlisted in the Rewards 2026. The payroll profession is full of talented, dedicated people, so to be recognised alongside so many of them is a real honour.

"It's especially rewarding to be shortlisted alongside Karen. This recognition reflects not only our individual efforts but also the fantastic teams and clients we are privileged to work with every day."