Lagden shortlisted as best leader at industry awards

1st August 2016

Neil Lagden Story -staring death in the faceNeil Lagden, IRIS FMP Payroll Services Managing Director, has been shortlisted for the ‘Best Leader Award’ at the Payroll World Awards being held in central London in November 2016.

Neil has kept his finger on the business pulse at IRIS FMP despite having to deal with a life threatening brain tumour in 2015, during which he endured surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy before finally being given the all clear in late 2015.

Indeed his story was recorded in the widely reported piece STARING DEATH IN THE FACE, SURVIVAL, AND MOVING ON

Lagden’s success has been down to the selection and nurturing of the right people to grow the payroll outsourcing business, and indeed growing a rich vein of people who, when it came to the crunch, could step up and lead whilst he was away from the business.

And his can do attitude, work ethic, and desire to see people succeed, saw him checking into the business and offering advice even in his darkest hours.

“I’m humbled to have been nominated by my team for this award. I’ve focussed on building a cohesive team and investing in both external and internal training – it really does make a difference. And our systems and customer feedback are fed back into coaching and training sessions. And we have fun, enjoying the team spirit that genuinely exists in the business’

Whilst he was away  his team delivered an outstanding year for business results and operational excellence. His respect amongst both the management team and the frontline staff has been incredible – they all wanted to ensure that when he returned, he was proud of them for maintaining and growing the business he has nurtured over the previous eight years.
Gary Webb, who heads up IRIS FMP’s communications commented: “I’ve never met anyone so calm about a potentially life changing event. He was dignified, supportive and professional throughout, and that brought the best out of me.”

Before treatment he met every manager outlining the support they would get from others, leaving no stone unturned. Developing a cohesive ‘team’ in 2015 meant his loss as a ‘key’ driver could be managed effectively, trusting people to make critical business decisions.

Michelle King, IRIS FMP’s Operations Manager summed up Neil’s qualities “Neil has an incomparable work ethic. His sheer hard work coupled with the support he provides inspires me to better myself and achieve the best I can with my team.”

The Best Leader award will be presented at a glittering awards night on November 3rd 2016 at the Hilton, London Bankside. “Whether I win or not doesn’t matter” said Neil “I’m happy that I have the respect of my teamPWAwards_finalistlogo_small IRIS FMP and they continue to work with me to make IRIS FMP the success it is.”

IRIS FMP Payroll Services has already won the Global Payroll Award Judges Award for Outstanding Achievement in May 2016, adding to the Payroll Team award received in November 2015.