Julie Lally, architect of the world’s first real-time payroll solution, joins senior leadership team to shape the future of HR and payroll technology
London, 5th May 2026; Cezanne HR, one of the fastest-growing providers of HR and payroll software for UK and global businesses, today announces the appointment of Julie Lally as Chief Product Officer.
As CPO, Lally will be responsible for shaping and executing Cezanne’s product vision, ensuring the platform continues to evolve in line with the changing needs of customers, employees and the wider world of work. Working closely with the Cezanne leadership team, she will lead product strategy, innovation and delivery across the platform, balancing long-term vision with near-term customer value.
The creation of the role reflects Cezanne’s ongoing commitment to product excellence and the increasing importance of delivering intuitive, future-ready HR technology in a rapidly evolving market.
Lally joins with more than 25 years’ experience shaping People and Payroll technology and brings a career defined by deep expertise and genuine innovation across the sector. She has held senior leadership roles spanning product, growth and commercial responsibility at some of the industry’s most recognised organisations, including Zellis, ADP, MHR, Mitrefinch, Advanced and Ciphr.
Throughout her career, Lally has focused on designing and innovating HRIS platforms that support better employee experiences, stronger organisational performance and adaptability in an ever-changing world of work. She has led the research, development and delivery of complex, enterprise-grade People and Payroll systems, with a consistent emphasis on ensuring products remain intuitive, trusted and aligned to how people and organisations actually work.
Among her standout achievements is designing and delivering the world’s first real-time payroll solution, a major industry milestone that challenged traditional approaches and demonstrated how technology innovation can remove friction, improve accuracy and create more responsive employee experiences.
Looking to the future
Lally began her career in payroll operations and has remained closely connected to the profession throughout, spending over a decade as a tutor with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).
“It’s a real privilege to be joining Cezanne at such an important stage in its journey,” said Julie Lally, Chief Product Officer, Cezanne HR. “There is a strong sense of responsibility that comes with the role, given the expectations of both our customers and our people, alongside the impressive platform and passion for innovation across the business. It’s very clear, Cezanne has a genuine commitment to doing things the right way – evolving the product thoughtfully while staying true to its values. I’m excited about what lies ahead and very much looking forward to being part of the next chapter in Cezanne’s product evolution.”
Simon Noble, CEO, Cezanne, added: “Bringing someone of Julie’s calibre and experience into the senior team is a significant moment for Cezanne. We are at a pivotal point in our growth, with real ambition for what our platform can achieve for HR teams and the organisations they support.
“Julie’s combination of deep domain knowledge, hands-on product leadership and genuine understanding of what customers need gives us exactly the right foundation to move forward with confidence. Her track record of delivering innovation that makes a tangible difference to people’s working lives is precisely what this role demands, and I’m delighted to welcome her to the business.”
