The Stevie Awards Honors CEO of Patersons HR and Payroll Solutions with Women in Business Award

- Karen Paterson Recognized as Best Entrepreneur in Europe, Middle East and Africa  —

SALISBURY, U.K. (27 November 2008) – Patersons HR and Payroll Solutions, a leading global HR and payroll software and services business delivering expert solutions to clients in more than 160 countries, today announced that Karen Paterson, founder and chief executive, was awarded Best Entrepreneur in EMEA at the 5th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business gala event at New York’s Marriott Marquis Hotel on November 14th. Paterson was also an individual finalist in the Best Entrepreneur-Service Businesses award. Patersons HR and Payroll Solutions was a finalist in the Technology Innovator of the Year category.

The 2008 Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an international competition recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding women executives, business owners and the organizations they run. The awards are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business AwardsSM. Stevie Awards were handed out in categories including Best Entrepreneur, Best Executive, Lifetime Achievement and Women Helping Women. More than 1,200 entries from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration.

Paterson was acknowledged for designing the world’s first Internet-based global payroll management system. She resolved what is potentially the largest problem faced by growing global organizations: the lack of a one contract, one platform payroll system that helps companies payroll employees while managing the inherent risks involved in fielding local and country level tax and compliance regulations. Revered as a forerunner of the next-generation of payroll and HR management, her technology and business acumen served her well and – despite tremendous odds and being up against large, publicly held competitors – she has driven Patersons HR and Payroll’s global expansion. Additionally, Paterson has spearheaded the development of Patersons’ online community located at www.patersons.net that is the “one stop shop” for international HR and finance executives around the world.

Karen Paterson, CEO of Patersons, said, “I am honored to have been recognized for such a distinguished award, especially given the intense competition in the EMEA region.  This award reflects our significant accomplishments, as well as the significant opportunities that lie ahead of us. I’m very grateful to our customers, partners and employees whose contributions have been integral to our success.”

”Winning The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an important achievement,” said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards. “It means that independent business executives have agreed that the winner is worthy of recognition. All of this year’s finalists and winners are to be congratulated for their achievements and for their contributions to their communities.”

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are governed by a Board of Distinguished Judges and Advisors that features many leading women entrepreneurs and luminaries in business.  Members of the Awards’ Board selected Stevie winners from among the finalists.  Finalists were chosen by business professionals worldwide during the preliminary judging period.

Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of honorees are available at www.stevieawards.com/women.