activpayroll, a leading provider of multi-country payroll support and global mobility, reflects on a successful few years as its APAC presence continues to grow.
Having built a strong relationship with a wide range of customers across the APAC region, including LivePerson, AXA, BMW, OFX, Kellogg, and many more, activpayroll has been pivotal in helping these companies deliver payroll, tax, and global mobility solutions, building a strong reputation within the industry.
Supporting global customers
activpayroll recognises the importance of the APAC market for its global customers and has invested significantly to ensure that the service delivered continues to meet the needs of diverse cultures across many countries. The largest investment in recent years was the acquisition of Propay Partners, a business based in Malaysia.
Following this acquisition, activpayroll has expanded its service offering to provide multi-regional payroll for five countries from a single location. Technology, finance, and payments personnel are now available in the region, offering continued support and enabling the business to expand and meet customer needs around the clock.
As a result of this investment, activpayroll was recognised by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and received Digital Certification. The grand opening of its APAC HQ in Kuala Lumpur, officiated by Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Digital, Wilson Ugak Kumbong, was attended by Ailsa Terry, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, and Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). The attendance of these key delegates demonstrated the depth of activpayroll’s investment in the region and its strong relationships within the Malaysian and wider APAC business ecosystem. The partnership with Malaysia is due to the country's strategic position and its ongoing rapid digitalisation, making it one of the fastest-growing locations in Southeast Asia.
Its commitment to the market also led the company to receive First Runner Up in the UK-Malaysian Business of the Year at the British Malaysian Business Excellence Awards.
Ongoing expansion
The company plans to quadruple its workforce by 2028, supported by an average operational and capital expenditure increase of 37%. The regional team has already doubled the number of employees in less than a year in response to the industry’s need for versatile and skilled talent. This includes significant investment in training and development to upskill local talent and support the company’s goal of becoming a skilled talent pool hub.
activpayroll has not only expanded into Malaysia but also strengthened its teams in Singapore and Australia. Operations supporting these two countries have doubled in size since last year, and the Singapore team has moved into a new office on the famous Beach Road in the iconic Concourse building.
Berliza Laurette, APAC Payroll Operations Manager, said, “The investment in recent years ensures we can deliver the highly personal service activpayroll is known for. Managing complex multi-country payroll throughout APAC and the wider globe is what activpayroll has been doing for over 20 years. The key is to continue to understand the rapidly changing payroll environment and ensure we are prepared for whatever the future may hold.”
The Future
activpayroll and the APAC market have a bright future. With continued growth expected in the region, activpayroll looks forward to assisting many more companies with payroll and global mobility as they explore and grow in the Asia-Pacific market.
With the market for HR and payroll outsourcing in APAC projected to reach US$37.9 billion (RM181 billion) by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% from 2022 to 2027, this expansion addresses the increasing demand for professional services covering cross-border, regional, and global-scale HR and payroll in APAC, where 57% of companies outsource their HR functions.
“activpayroll’s ongoing focus in APAC is not only driving significant growth and industry leadership but also contributing to economic growth,” concludes Andrew Philp, Executive Director of APAC at activpayroll. “Catering to the needs of each country and advancing the managed and professional services industry empowers businesses and their workforces to thrive in the dynamic APAC landscape. We are very excited to see where we go next.”