Comparator

Why should you choose Carrington? Because Carrington cares.

We are not sales driven; we are people driven. In our 20 years of Umbrella service our contractor base has grown largely through personal recommendation as well as a bedrock of contractors who just keep returning for our quality service, and we are therefore without a sales team or a sales pitch. We are committed to transparent, prompt and communicative service. There are no hidden charges; there is support with the complexities of the thorny issues such as holiday pay and expenses. Our company values, objectives and philosophy are a direct reflection of the kind of service culture we want to inspire where everyone involved is driven to create a world-class next-generation workforce. Our service has been shaped to our valuable flexible workforce and we aim to provide unrivalled customer care throughout their employment with us. Simply put we strive to be the best and offer the greatest value to our contractors.

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.

A team of experienced industry professionals who are passionate about our core values, the temporary recruitment industry and of course, the flexible workforce market in the UK. Collectively, we bring together over 90 year’s industry experience from across the recruitment, contractor payroll and contractor accountancy sectors. We’ve worked with some of the largest and most established players in both the UK and international payroll markets. We bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and understanding – but most importantly, we bring a fresh approach to our duty of care – because we care.

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!

With over 20 years of experience, Parasol has grown from providing umbrella payroll services to offering comprehensive employment and payroll solutions. During this time, we’ve supported more than 250,000 professionals and partnered with over 3,000 recruitment agencies and end clients.

We understand the critical priorities for your candidates, clients, and agency: exceptional support, on-time payments, and full compliance with HMRC regulations. These are at the heart of everything we do and are reflected in the loyalty of professionals who choose us year after year, as well as our long-standing partnerships with some of the most recognised names in recruitment. As a founding member of the FCSA and a company created by a contractor for contractors, Parasol makes getting paid simple for the agile workforce. Since our launch in 2000, our goal has been to empower contractors to maximise their careers by offering complete peace of mind through accurate, compliant, and reliable payroll services.

Speedy Onboarding

Getting started is simple. Agencies provide basic details and terms; contractors complete a quick Right to Work check via Trust ID (just three minutes). We handle all paperwork and contracts for a smooth process.

Compliance-First

As an FCSA founding member, we set the gold standard in UK tax, employment, and regulatory compliance—giving agencies and contractors complete peace of mind.

Security & Stability

We safeguard your data with Cyber Essentials Plus certification and maintain strong financial stability to ensure uninterrupted payroll services.

Trusted Guidance

Our expert teams offer tailored support, onboarding assistance, and training workshops—the largest agency and employee support network in the sector.

Highly experienced FCSA accredited Umbrella payroll provider offering excellent worker journey and robust adherence to HR and employment compliance and legislation.

Here at Trafalgar, we’re passionate about people; putting contractors like you at the heart of what we do. Having started life as a small, family-run firm with a handful of clients, we now provide specialist financial, payroll, accounting and employment to thousands of contractors and self-employed people across the UK. Trafalgar is a name you can trust, as our reviews and accreditations attest. Our umbrella employment solution is designed with you in mind. We’ll do everything we can to reduce your administrative burden and make sure you have the support you need for your contracting career. Our experienced team pay thousands of contractors every single week, so you can rest assured you’ll get paid in full and on time, every time. Join today and combine all the benefits of permanent employment with the freedom of running your own business.

You'll receive:

Business Insurance Private medical care Private workplace pension Full statutory employment rights Dedicated HR support Access to exclusive Trafalgar Rewards Likewise, our contractor accountancy plans include access to award-winning software, as well as:

Personal & corporate tax returns Accounts preparation & submission Quarterly VAT returns Business Insurance Payroll administration Long-term tax planning & financial health checks

Our fees are fixed and, what’s more, you’ll also be assigned your very own Personal Accountant because, to us, accountancy is about more than just number crunching. It’s about developing great relationships, overcoming obstacles, providing tangible solutions, and enabling people to achieve their potential.

SG Umbrella is run by experienced contractor accountants, designed for contractors and backed by the UKs leading contractor compliance body, the FCSA. Rest assured that you’re getting the best advice and the best service:

SUPER FAST PAYMENTS Once your client or agency has paid us we turn the payments around without delay – so you get your money as quickly as possible

TRULY ALL INCLUSIVE PRICING There are no hidden costs…everything you need is included in your monthly or weekly fee

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE Our team are the very best in the industry with years of contractor accountancy and taxation experience. Their qualifications include ICAEW, ACCA, AAT, ATT and CTA and your fee entitles you to unlimited advice and support, including with IR35 and tax planning

GROW AND FLEX WITH US Set up a Limited company with SG Accounting and switch between the two if needed due to IR35. Just ask which set-up would be best for you.

REAL PEOPLE EVERY TIME You speak directly to a real person when you call or email us. No call centre or “press button 1 for this and button 2 for that” service

NO MINIMUM CONTRACT We are so sure you’ll love our service we don’t have a minimum commitment. Fees are deducted from your pay so there are no up-front costs

COMPLIANCE AS STANDARD We’re FCSA Accredited, assuring the highest standards of compliance. As contractor experts, we can advise you on IR35 and Tax matters too

WELL KNOWN AND ESTABLISHED We have been established for more than 20 years dealing specifically with contractors, consultants and freelancers.