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.

NWM has industry heritage, being at the forefront of the Umbrella Payroll industry for 27 years with over £1bn in wages successfully paid to date and achieving No.32 in the UK Fast-Track 100. Our senior management have worked at NWM for two decades.

NWM is a trusted partner dedicated to providing outstanding payroll services tailored to the unique requirements of contractors across the UK. We are approved on the major MSP platforms such as Datum, Vistry, Pretium and HAYS.

Our FCSA accreditation (Umbrella, Self Employed/CIS) underpins our professionalism, passion, and stability. Every client receives the highest quality service they deserve.

Graham William’s our Chairman and owner is also a Council Member for the FCSA.

NWM have been certified ISO9001 since 2012. This validates our longstanding and ongoing commitment year after year, to the quality and standards we aim to achieve as a business.

With nearly 450 Google reviews rated at 4.7 our reputation among contractors and agency partners speaks volumes about our commitment to delivering outstanding service.

NWM are Cyber Essentials Certified supporting our customers in an ever-challenging digital world. This is another pillar of our business philosophy.

Value for money is central to our offering. Contractors regularly mention the cost of living. We understand they seek excellent service, but also fair, transparent pricing. NWM provides competitive rates combined with comprehensive support, ensuring clients receive maximum value. Transparent communication and straightforward margin structures mean contractors know exactly what they will be paid and can trust there are no hidden costs.

NWM process daily payroll with Thursday being our main schedule. This ensures contractors receive their wages on time and without hassle. This reliable Thursday payment helps agencies maintain smooth operations, and contractors can plan their finances and travel with confidence.

NWM stand out for our strong commitment to customer service. We believe every contractor is more than just a number, they are valued partners in our community. To demonstrate this, we call every contractor shortly after their first pay from NWM. This personal touch allows us to understand their individual circumstances, answer any questions, and ensure they feel supported from the outset. This proactive approach helps to build trust and confidence.

Our commitment to support and educate adds significant value. We have recently launched Recruitment Industry Specific training for Consultants through to Management level. We also update clients on legislative changes, industry best practices, new opportunities through newsletters, webinars, and one-to-one consultations.

NWM possess a deep understanding of the recruitment landscape. Our directors were previously highly accomplished recruiters in their own rights, we know exactly what is required from a recruiter’s perspective and have transferred this knowledge into our customer service. We have navigated through numerous industry changes and regulatory updates, enabling us to offer informed advice and tailored solutions. Our expertise allows us to anticipate the needs of our clients and contractors, providing proactive support that sets us apart from competitors.

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.

Since 2006, Liquid Friday has supported contractors and recruitment agencies with a clear commitment to doing business the right way. We provide PAYE umbrella and CIS payroll and a range of supporting workforce solutions, underpinned by award-winning customer service, innovation and strong financial stability. Stride, our industry-leading platform centralises contractor management, making onboarding, compliance and payroll faster and easier than ever.

As long-standing FCSA accredited members, compliance is embedded throughout our processes and customer journey. We enable agencies to move faster, reduce risk and deliver a better experience for contractors and clients alike. Known for our transparent, straight-talking approach and contractor-first ethos, Liquid Friday is a trusted and principled partner within the contingent labour market.

Navigate People was created and is managed by a team of conscientious and dependable people who have seen a real gap in this market for genuinely excellent proactive support in delivering umbrella, PEO and CIS sub-contracting focussed on providing first class service and real added value for both workers and recruitment businesses. As workers and agencies increasingly want to know where to find the best value added benefits packages, including, for example, Personal Accident cover and fuel discounts for workers, we are constantly looking to improve our offerings for the benefit of all who work with Navigate People.

Ovio is the workforce partner that gets it. We support recruitment agencies, contractors and UK businesses with fully compliant payroll, workforce engagement solutions and funding, all delivered with a human touch.

Ovio was created to challenge the ordinary, to put people first, cut through complexity, and bring trust back to workforce solutions. We’re not just here to process payroll (thats the easy bit). We’re here to build something better: a company driven by values, fuelled by excellence, and united by a single rhythm.

Our platform, myOvio, is your visibility engine. We monitor contractor status, onboarding compliance, client approvals, payroll checks and supply chain health in real time. It’s everything you need to keep your staffing compliant, audit-ready, and confidence-fuelled.

Payroll, compliance and onboarding for agencies, MSP's and end hirers, with unique financial wellbeing tools for workers.

Delivered via innovative software that fits seamlessly around your operation; brand your own user experience and configure your onboarding processes.

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

Our dedicated team has been providing support to contractors and agencies for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on service and go above and beyond, not only because we care, because we know that payroll is important to the UK’s flexible workforce. Our priority is ensuring you are paid correctly and efficiently. We offer same day faster payments as standard.

We use our expertise to provide a leading umbrella service which is SafeRec Certified and FCSA accredited. We make sure you are up to date with legislation changes and provide the support and knowledge you need to succeed. Our compliant Umbrella service is provided with a low fixed margin enabling contractors to take home as much as possible.