Comparator

We Contract are one of the top compliance orientated employment intermediaries and professional service providers to the recruitment industry. We employ 1000’s of short term contracting workers, in all industry sectors, all over the UK and abroad.

We were established in the UK in 2013, operate from offices in central Chester and have held full FCSA accreditation since 2017, being one of the earliest adopters of the industry gold standard.

With 26 years of payroll expertise, Sterling Solutions delivers compliant, efficient, and contractor-friendly service.

Why Contractors Choose Sterling • Pension Flexibility – Pay into a pension of your choice, not just the workplace scheme. • Fast, Easy Onboarding – Includes tailored payslip illustrations. • Expense Claims – Mileage reimbursement available (subject to assessment). • Comprehensive Insurance Cover – Personal Accident, Employers & Public Liability. • Optional Professional Indemnity Insurance • Holiday Pay – Paid upfront. • Sterling App – Manage your employment and payments on the go. • UKMC Mortgage Advice – Free, expert guidance. • VeriPAYE Audited Payslips – Every payment checked for accuracy. • Sterling Rewards – Discounts on shopping, travel, entertainment & more. • Medicash Health Plans – Support for everyday healthcare costs.

We believe contractors should be supported and rewarded throughout their careers.

Businesses across the UK rely on skilled contractors every day – bringing specialist expertise, experience and fresh thinking into their teams, often exactly when they need it most.

We have enormous respect for the professionals who choose to work this way and believe they deserve an umbrella company that recognises the contribution they make.

That's why we've been supporting contractors across the UK since 2003. More than two decades and 130,000 contractors later, our principles remain the same: to make umbrella employment straightforward, transparent and supportive, so you can concentrate on doing what you do best.

When operating through your own limited company isn't an option, choosing the right umbrella company matters. As a Key Portfolio employee, you benefit from the protections and rights that come with employment, together with the support of an experienced team that understands the contractor market.

We're FCSA Accredited and SafeRec Certified, providing additional independent reassurance over the standards behind our service and the way your pay is processed.

But for us, being a good umbrella company is about more than processing payroll. It's about valuing you as an employee, being there when you need us and making sure you always have someone to turn to when you have a question about your pay or employment.

After all, we've been looking after contractors since 2003 – and we're very proud that more than 130,000 of them have trusted us to do just that.

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.

At Umbrella.co.uk, we make contracting simple, secure, and stress-free. As one of the UK’s leading and most compliant umbrella companies, we’ve supported tens of thousands of contractors for over 16 years - helping them get paid on time, stay fully compliant, and enjoy all the benefits of employment without the admin.

Our fully FCSA-accredited umbrella payroll service is built on trust, transparency, and integrity. From fast, hassle-free onboarding to accurate and timely payments, contractors consistently praise us for being “efficient, professional, and friendly,” with reviews on Trustpilot and Google reflecting our Excellent five-star rating. We don’t just meet compliance standards - we set them - working closely with SafeRec and other independent auditors to give agencies and contractors total peace of mind.

Every process at Umbrella.co.uk is underpinned by robust data protection and information security measures. We are ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified - the international standards for quality management and information security - demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining service excellence. In addition, our Cyber Essentials certification ensures our systems are protected against modern cyber threats, giving contractors and clients confidence that their personal information is always safe.

But we don’t stop at umbrella payroll. We also offer CIS payroll services for construction workers and have a Limited Company accountancy service, giving contractors the flexibility to choose the payment structure that best suits their working arrangements and goals.

For contractors looking to make the most of their income and plan for the future, we offer a salary sacrifice pension option. This allows you to contribute directly to your personal pension while benefiting from reduced tax and National Insurance contributions. We also pass on the full employment cost saving, making it an efficient and tax-smart way to build long-term financial security.

All employees also have the option to benefit from our Umbrella Rewards Pro platform - packed with valuable benefits including a BHSF healthcare plan for everyday health and wellbeing support, and a discounted fuel card, helping contractors save money on life’s essentials.

Whether it’s a contractor registering online, an agency managing multiple placements, or a client needing a trusted payroll partner, we handle everything with care, clarity, and compliance.

If you’re looking for a reliable umbrella payroll provider that puts people first, prioritises compliance, and delivers exceptional service every time - Umbrella.co.uk is the clear choice.

NumberMill knows more than most how important payroll and related compliance is to the sector. More than ever and with the introduction of the Criminal Finance Act September 2017, it is even more important for agencies to have the reassurance that their partners meet high standards of compliance and eliminate risk in the supply chain. NumberMill truly has the qualifications, skills, and expertise to keep both contractors and agencies compliant whilst being agile, offering the best commercial, honest & transparent advice, in a constantly changing legislative environment.

With over 20 years of experience running recruitment agencies, Phillips Payroll understands the unique challenges of managing temporary payroll and delivers services designed to make workforce management simple, compliant, and dependable. We provide fully managed payroll and workforce solutions to the recruitment sector, ensuring contractors and temporary workers are paid correctly and on time, every time.

We process multiple pay methods including PAYE (Umbrella & PEO) and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Our comprehensive service covers onboarding, verification, tax and NI deductions, CIS returns, payslip production, and payment execution, removing administrative and compliance burdens from our clients.

At Phillips Payroll, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service, with a dedicated and responsive team that ensures every client and worker receives the support they need. Our compliance-first approach, combined with flexible engagement models and a genuine commitment to service excellence, ensures transparency, reduces risk, and provides a reliable, trusted solution for both clients and workers.

Over 30+ years of UK contractor and agency expertise with a strong compliance heritage as founding members of FCSA holding certifications for all 3 services (umbrella, PSC and CIS). Brookson offers comprehensive solutions, personal service, and expert guidance through every industry challenge. We offer regulated financial services, accountancy services, outsourced payroll, back office and legal services underpinned by technology to support your business and contractors. Brookson is your business partner, not just another umbrella company.

Compliant and efficient umbrella company with extensive experience within the construction industry