Activpayroll marks 25 years in business

Activpayroll marks 25 years in business

Gary Henderson – CEO of activpayroll

Aberdeen-headquartered payroll, mobility and payments solutions firm activpayroll is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026.

Founded in 2001 by Alison Sellar OBE, the company has grown from a 40-person team into a global organisation with more than 400 employees, supporting over 500 clients across 150 countries. Its customer base spans FTSE 500 companies and multinational organisations across sectors including energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, insurance, professional services, technology, transport, manufacturing and retail.

Over the past quarter century, activpayroll has expanded its global payroll and global mobility capabilities significantly, developing its proprietary payroll platform activ8, and entered new international markets. Strategic acquisitions, including ProPay Partners in Malaysia and LIMES International in the Netherlands, have further strengthened its global reach and specialist expertise.

Today, activpayroll is a trusted partner for organisations managing complex international payroll and mobility requirements. The company processes more than two million payslips annually and operates from key global locations including Edinburgh, Paris, Frankfurt, Dublin, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Florida, Dubai, Cape Town and Perth. Its continued expansion across Europe, the Americas and APAC is supported by on-the-ground local knowledge and a strong network of partner integrations.

To support its next phase of growth, activpayroll has refreshed its vision and values. Its vision—to be the leading provider of payroll, tax, mobility and international payment solutions that enable businesses to operate seamlessly across borders - is underpinned by five core values: Partnership, Excellence, Accountability, Expertise and Commitment. These principles guide how the organisation collaborates, innovates and delivers for clients worldwide.

activpayroll’s commitment to innovation has been a constant throughout its history. The company launched its Global Payroll division and Global Mobility service in 2002, introduced its activ8 payroll platform in 2006, and expanded into Global HR Services in 2022 whilst constantly delivering marketing leading HRIS integration capabilities with platforms such as Workday, UKG, HiBob and Sage. Its achievements have been recognised through numerous industry awards, including international payroll accolades, global payroll team honours and star performer recognitions.

CEO Gary Henderson said: “Reaching 25 years is a proud milestone for activpayroll. Our growth, innovation and the loyalty of our clients and partners reflect the dedication of our teams around the world.

“Our refreshed vision and values set a clear direction for the future. We remain committed to delivering reliable, compliant and scalable solutions as businesses continue to expand internationally.”

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