Most payroll and reward events cover the same ground. Legislation updates, compliance checklists, a few case studies, then everyone goes home. But an event built only around compliance will never move a profession forward, and a profession that only talks about compliance will never earn a seat at the strategic table. Behind the awards, the keynotes, and the networking drinks lies a much bigger question about where payroll and reward are really headed.
In this episode of @thepayrollpodcast, Nick Day, CEO of JGA Recruitment, sits down with Vickie Graham, Managing Director of Reward Strategy, fresh off the Reward and Payroll Summit 2026, to break down what happened, what it means, and why this year felt different from every summit before it.
This is not just an event recap. It is a conversation about what the pay and reward profession is becoming, a strategic function, a boardroom voice, and a community that refuses to stay in the back office. Nick and Vickie unpack the skills shift reshaping the profession, why marketing techniques like personas are showing up in reward strategy, and what almost every person in the room said they actually want from their careers.
They also cover what it really takes to win one of the Summit's 28 award categories, the story behind this year's emotional Lifetime Achievement Award, and why Reward Strategy is aiming to grow the event from 300 to 400 attendees next year.
It is not just about an awards ceremony.
It is about an entire profession redefining its own identity.
And if you still think payroll and reward are just back-office functions, this episode will change your mind.
Whether you are a payroll professional wanting a seat in the strategic conversation, a reward specialist curious about where the profession is headed, or someone weighing up whether to attend next year's Summit, this episode will show you exactly what you have been missing.
This episode is sponsored by Deel
Managing a global team is complex, Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance all in one place. That's why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage their teams worldwide.
See how Deel works at www.deel.com/nickday
Guest and Host:
Connect with Vickie Graham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickiegrahamdipmacim/
Connect with Nick Day: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/
Find your ideal payroll candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9ea
Sign up to the Payroll Podcast Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7
Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!
Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thehrldpodcast for more great content!
Timestamps:
(01:10) Introduction: Debriefing the Reward and Payroll Summit 2026
(03:07) Aims and Objectives Behind This Year's Summit
(06:33) Key Insight: How Pay and Reward Skills Are Evolving
(10:13) Shedding the Old Identity and What 99% of the Room Really Wants
(11:44) The Compliance Wake-Up Call: National Minimum Wage and Fair Work
(13:10) Inside the Judging Process and What Wins an Award
(17:46) Nick's Award Win and Inside the Ceremony
(20:05) Networking Outcomes and a Message from JGA Recruitment
(23:28) Bar Chats and the Birth of New Award Categories
(25:34) Celebrating Julie’s Lifetime Achievement Award
(29:01) Growing the Summit, Career Pivots, and Closing Thoughts
