Comparator

We’re Focused – the award-winning umbrella and CIS company for contractors who want prompt and accurate payment every time. Voted Best Umbrella Company (500-1000 clients) at The Contracting Awards, we offer unmatched reliability, quick and easy onboarding, and a genuinely caring approach for total peace of mind.

From payroll to tax, benefits to pensions, we take care of everything. With Focused, contractors can be confident they’ve got their money, and we’ve got them covered. We keep things simple while truly caring about the wants and needs of our contractors and agency partners.

Here are just some of the benefits of working with Focused:

• Salary sacrifice for personal pensions - Helping contractors save for their future whilst also passing on the employer’s NI saving in the form of additional gross pay.

• Online personal portal – Easy access to payslips and submit timesheets where necessary.

• Award-winning support – A dedicated helpline for any questions, weekly payment SMS notifications and proactive welcome calls.

• Free employee rewards scheme – Access to personal accident insurance and exclusive offers and discounts at thousands of high-street brands.

I4 have been in operation since 2005 and have partnered with over 10,000 businesses and paid over 35,000 contractors. Our services offer temporary workers and freelancers an opportunity to retain the correct amount of their hard-earned cash, without any of the overheads or risks of running their own companies or falling foul of IR35 legislation. i4 will look after the calculation, deduction and payment of all statutory payments for you. Get organised on the go with innovative and convenient solutions that free up your time to focus on doing what you do best. We have recently partnered up with ANDREW NOLAN MORTGAGES LTD to help contractors secure mortgages as it can prove difficult.

Sapphire prides itself on providing unrivalled customer service and employee support to workers and recruitment agencies in the temporary labour market. With our specifically tailored range of Employed and Self-Employed solutions, we are here to reduce the burden of working on and between temporary assignments and provide a level of security, benefits and reassurances whilst getting on with everyday life.

Why Sapphire?

Care – We understand that money and finances keep our world ticking. So paying our employees and subcontractors on time and accurately is our number one priority and something we have built our reputation around. Providing timely information to our clients and consistently exceeding expectations has seen us organically grow our reputation.

Compliance – Our team of experts are all aware of the challenges facing temporary workers and the need to remain compliant with current legislation is key. We view every change as an opportunity to pro-actively keep our customers, employees and clients up to date with changes which may impact them and their businesses.

Partnership – We are more than just an Accountancy, Payroll and Employment services provider. We view ourselves as an extension to the people and businesses we engage with, providing all of the support required in a two-way relationship.

Support – Everyone is different, and we completely understand this! We are flexible in our approach and can adapt and tailor our support to suit every circumstance. We pride ourselves on removing the burden from customers, employees and clients so they can concentrate on what is important to them.

Proud winners of Contractor Accountant of the Year 2024 & 2025, ICS is the only umbrella provider accredited across all four FCSA payroll standards. Trusted by thousands of contractors and rated 5 stars on Trustpilot, we combine market-leading compliance with exceptional service.

Join ICS and benefit from no margin retained in your first two weeks, same-day onboarding, daily payroll, pension and SIPP support, contractor mortgage advice, a 24/7 Wellbeing Hub, and exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, entertainment and family days out – saving you over £500 per year.

Plus, through ICS Umbrella Plus, contractors can access a BUPA Cash Plan, £100 emergency advance facility and enhanced financial wellbeing support.

✔ FCSA Accredited & SafeRec Certified ✔ Umbrella, CIS & Limited Company Solutions ✔ £50 Amazon Voucher for Successful Referrals ✔ 100% Reimbursement of Approved Expenses

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Award-winning FCSA-Accredited & Professional Passport-Approved Payroll Company: Umbrella, PAYE, CIS & Limited Company.

Payments Pro is designed to ensure that you get the most reliable, most efficient, and most rewarding umbrella service on the market. We offer an unparalleled level of worker support and incentives that will help ensure that you never want to leave!

Built for a new era of Umbrella payroll, where compliance, transparency and trust comes first.

Backed by the Marquee Group and SafeRec accredited, Arkon Pay delivers a fully compliant PAYE solution designed for today's contractor market.

Combining industry expertise with a technology led approach, we provide a reliable, straightforward service to both agencies and contractors. From onboarding through to ongoing support, out focus is on consistency, clarity and doing things properly.

Arkon Pay is more than just an umbrella provider, we are a trusted partner in an increasingly regulated market.

We exist to Create a Legacy that Values All People and Creates Opportunities for Generations to Come - joining Arch will support this mission.

Big Fish Group Limited is a leading UK provider of umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll services, dedicated to serving contractors and recruitment agencies with unwavering reliability. We challenge the traditional stereotype of the sector by combining rigorous professional standards with a genuine passion for what we do. Founded on the principles of authenticity and dedication, we understand that credibility and compliance are the cornerstones of the recruitment industry. For agency partners, from boutique firms to multi-national MSPs, we offer a transparent, "straight-talking" partnership that prioritises your reputation and the welfare of your workforce. While we operate with energy and a personable approach, we never compromise on quality. We are committed to delivering the precise services our partners need, ensuring contractors are paid correctly and on time, every time. Commitment to Compliance

In an industry where regulatory adherence is paramount, Big Fish Group stands as a beacon of trust. We are proud to be FCSA-accredited and SafeRec-certified, ensuring our processes are independently audited and fully compliant with UK tax law and associated legislation. Our accreditations are complemented by our cloud-based payroll compliance portal, Lighthouse. Lighthouse provides our recruitment agency partners and end clients with direct access to and insight into every stage of our payroll process, as well as real-time visibility into our PAYE liability information. Our clients are never left wondering and can rest assured that their supply chain is secure, compliant, and meets the highest standards of integrity.

Big Fish: Not Your Average Umbrella

• Experienced Leadership: Founded and led by a team with over 30 years of combined experience in the payroll and recruitment sector.

• Unrivalled Availability: We understand the demands of the recruitment cycle. We provide exceptional customer service and support that extends beyond the 9-to-5. When we say 24/7, we mean it.

• Comprehensive Service Range: Expert provision of Umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll services tailored to the needs of the modern workforce.

• Reliability & Accuracy: A steadfast commitment to ensuring accurate, on-time payments for contractors, safeguarding agency relationships.

• Client-Centric Culture: A friendly, energetic team that prioritises the things that matter most to our customers, delivering solutions with a personal touch.