Comparator

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.

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.

Here at Danbro, 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. Danbro 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 Danbro 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.

Compliant payroll for contractors, agencies, and self-employed workers since 2009. PAYE umbrella, CIS, and Bureau payroll solutions to suit your business.

Pay by credit card for enhanced cash flow and loyalty benefits.

CF Contractor

Trusted Payroll. Robust Compliance. Contractor Focused.

CF Contractor is a specialist UK provider of Umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll solutions, supporting contractors, recruitment agencies and businesses across the UK.

Our approach is built around three fundamental principles: compliance, transparency and reliability. We recognise that recruitment businesses need more than a payroll provider; they need a trusted supply-chain partner capable of protecting their reputation, supporting their contractors and consistently delivering to the highest professional standards.

Whether working with an independent recruitment consultancy, a national agency or a complex MSP supply chain, CF Contractor provides a responsive and straightforward service tailored to the requirements of each client.

Our objective is simple: make contractor payroll secure, compliant and dependable.

We combine robust processes with a highly personal service, ensuring contractors are paid accurately and on time while providing our recruitment partners with the confidence that their workforce is being managed responsibly.

Compliance at the Core

Compliance is fundamental to everything we do.

The contractor payroll landscape continues to evolve, placing increasing responsibility on recruitment agencies and end clients to understand and manage risk throughout their labour supply chains.

CF Contractor is committed to operating to the highest standards of UK tax, employment and payroll compliance.

Our systems, procedures and controls are designed to provide transparency throughout the payroll process, giving recruitment partners greater confidence in the integrity of their contractor supply chain.

We believe compliance should be visible, demonstrable and verifiable — not simply promised.

By combining rigorous operational controls with clear communication and transparent processes, CF Contractor helps agencies minimise payroll risk while maintaining a professional and dependable experience for their contractors.

Why CF Contractor?

Experienced Industry Leadership Our team brings extensive experience across contractor payroll, recruitment and workforce management, providing clients with practical expertise and a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by modern recruitment businesses.

Responsive Support Recruitment does not always operate within conventional office hours. Our service model is therefore designed around accessibility and responsiveness, ensuring agencies and contractors can obtain support when they need it.

Umbrella PAYE & CIS Solutions We provide specialist Umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll services designed around the requirements of temporary, contract and contingent workforces.

Accurate & Dependable Payroll Getting people paid correctly and on time is fundamental. Our payroll processes are designed around accuracy, consistency and reliability, helping agencies maintain strong relationships with their contractors.

Compliance-Led Approach We place compliance at the centre of our business. Robust procedures and transparent processes help protect contractors, recruitment agencies and end clients throughout the supply chain.

Partnership Mentality We don’t believe in being a faceless payroll provider. CF Contractor works alongside its recruitment partners, understanding their businesses and providing a service that complements their own contractor proposition.

Protecting Your Contractors. Protecting Your Business.

The relationship between an agency and its contractors is valuable.

CF Contractor understands that every interaction we have with a contractor reflects upon the recruitment agency that introduced them to us. We therefore place considerable emphasis on service quality, communication and professionalism.

From onboarding through to payroll and ongoing support, our aim is to make the process straightforward for contractors while giving agencies confidence that their workers are being looked after properly.

For our recruitment partners, that means a payroll provider focused not only on processing payments, but on protecting relationships, strengthening compliance and supporting the long-term reputation of their business.

CF Contractor

Compliance you can demonstrate. Service you can depend on.

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.

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

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.