On Tuesday 3 July 2018, Alison Sellar, CEO of activpayroll, received her OBE from the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II for her services to business in Scotland and abroad at an Investiture held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.

Alison was one of three people from the Northeast of Scotland to be honored with recognition as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List in December 2017. Alison attended the Investiture, which was held in the Great Gallery of the palace in Edinburgh, with her husband, son, and daughter.

The Investiture recognises Scottish residents who have made a significant contribution to their society. Before receiving her OBE, Alison was briefed about what would happen, what she had to do, and how to address Queen Elizabeth II.

“When I was given the signal to walk into the hall, all I could see were around 150 people, the musicians, and the Queen who was giving the award to the people before me,” she said. “When my name was read out, I walked up and curtseyed in front of the Queen. She then pinned my medal to my dress and started asking me about activpayroll.”

The next day, Alison attended the Queen’s Garden Party, where she spent a relaxed afternoon on the beautiful grounds of the Palace accompanied by music from regimental bands and The Royal Scottish Pipers Society. The Queen and some members of the Royal Family were also in attendance.

“I’m still in disbelief that I received an OBE from the Queen,” she said. “I am beyond humbled and would never have received such an honour if it wasn’t for the amazing team I have behind me. You don’t achieve anything like this alone, and I collected the OBE on behalf of the whole team at activpayroll. Not to forget my brilliant family and friends who have provided me with constant support since launching activpayroll in 2001.”


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