Pay Decisions in 2026

Are You Ready for the April Changes?


📅 March 27, 2026 | 12pm GMT

April’s National Minimum Wage increase is approaching, but for many businesses the real challenge isn’t the increase itself.

It’s what that increase triggers across the wider pay structure.

When the lowest band moves, it can create pressure in unexpected places. Pay gaps narrow, supervisors find themselves closer to entry-level salaries than before, and long-standing salary structures start to feel slightly out of alignment.



This 30-minute webinar, hosted by Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains, looks at the practical decisions employers face when reviewing pay ahead of April.

Drawing on recruitment insight from across Staffordshire & Cheshire, Kerry will walk through what’s changing, where the pressure points usually appear, and how employers can approach pay reviews in a structured and commercially sensible way.



Registration Form

Why this matters now

Minimum wage increases are rarely just a payroll adjustment.

For many employers, they trigger a wider review of pay across the business.


A small increase at the entry level can quickly lead to questions around:

  • salary alignment across teams
  • pay progression between roles
  • retention risk if gaps begin to close
  • how to communicate pay changes fairly



Most businesses only notice these issues once they begin reviewing salaries.

This session is about getting ahead of those conversations and approaching pay reviews with a clearer framework.

Register

What you’ll learn

What is changing in April

A clear overview of the upcoming National Minimum Wage increase and how it affects payroll and salary structures.


How minimum wage increases ripple through pay structures

Why salary compression happens and how businesses often discover it after the fact.


Local salary insight from Staffordshire & Cheshire

What we’re seeing across the regional market based on live recruitment activity.


A simple framework for conducting pay reviews

Practical steps employers can use to review salaries without creating unintended knock-on effects.


How to protect margin while retaining staff

Balancing fair pay decisions with commercial realities.

Register

Who this is for...

This webinar is designed for people responsible for pay decisions inside a business, including: 

  • SME business owners,


  • Managing Directors,



  • Finance Directors and


  • HR Managers across Staffordshire & Cheshire.

Your Host

Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains

Founder | Appointments Personnel

Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains is the Founder and Leader of Appointments Personnel, a well-established recruitment agency supporting businesses across Staffordshire and Cheshire. With over 25 years in recruitment, Kerry has built a reputation for practical, people-first hiring solutions that actually work in the real world.


Specialising in Accountancy & Finance, Office Support, and Manufacturing recruitment, Kerry works closely with SMEs to understand what they really need from their hires, not just the job description, but the person who will thrive in their business. Her approach is highly consultative, grounded in long-term relationships, and focused on outcomes that support sustainable growth.


Alongside leading the business day to day, Kerry oversees and mentors her recruitment team, ensuring consistently high standards of service and candidate care. She is known for her ability to spot strong talent others might miss and for representing her clients’ businesses honestly and effectively in a competitive market.


She’s deeply passionate about recruitment, her clients, and the local business community. Outside of work, she’s also a mum of three and no stranger to keeping multiple plates spinning.