Comparator

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.

As one of the UK’s largest and most trusted Umbrella companies, we combine cutting-edge systems with deep industry expertise to ensure your pay is accurate, reliable, and always on time.

We’ve been supporting contractors and recruitment agencies since 1989, paying over 10 million people to date. Our commitment to exceptional customer service, compliance and payroll accuracy has earned us consistently excellent Trustpilot reviews making us the trusted choice for contractors across the UK.

Why Workwell?

• Fast and easy registration – candidates can email hello@workwellcontractorsolutions.com, call 01923 257 257, or register online Umbrella Company Set Up for Contractors - Workwell Umbrella
• Perks and discounts – access to a wide range of savings across high street and online retailers, with potential savings of - up to £1,000 per year Rewards - Workwell Contractor Solutions
• Statutory payments – including sick pay, maternity pay, and paternity pay
• Full employment rights – considered an employee of Workwell
• Holiday pay – option to accrue or receive weekly payments; holiday accrual will be clearly shown on payslips
• Advance payments – same-day payments available where authorised by the agency
• Real-time compliance – through our partnership with SafeRec, all payslips are monitored and audited in real time to ensure full HMRC compliance

Exchequer Contracts is a SafeRec and Professional Passport accredited Umbrella company, owned and run by ex-recruiters. We're committed to compliance and we understand the importance of paying people correctly, on time, every time. We offer, CIS, Umbrella and PEO engagement methods for our contractors with daily payment runs, online registration 24/7 and a contractor portal making life easy for all involved. Payroll made easy.

NASA Group is a specialist umbrella supplier based in Bristol, working exclusively within the contracting industry nationwide.

As well as being one of the most cost-effective in the industry, we pride ourselves on offering far greater value for our agency partners thanks to the unique way in which we collaborate with them. Rather than a typical ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, we always ensure that our process is perfectly aligned with theirs so that the entire operation is as efficient as it can be. This benefits everyone in the supply chain including the recruitment agency, by enabling them to spend more time recruiting rather than payroll processing and problem-solving. It also allows the contractor to work more effectively as they fully understand the process and have far fewer questions or concerns. NASA Group goes above and beyond their duty as an employer.

This commitment continues throughout the entire agency relationship as we remain at the forefront of compliance and industry updates. Training agency staff on solutions and legislation is all part of the service, plus NASA Group will assist your business in preparing for legislative changes affecting your sector too. This helps to create a partnership far more valuable than a typical umbrella supplier.

We are always on hand to discuss how we can assist you, plus with regional account managers throughout the UK, we would be glad to talk in person too.

Champion Contractors is a specialist division of Champion Chartered Accountants, providing accountancy and tax support services to freelance contractors throughout the UK.

We understand the unique needs of contractors and deliver a bespoke service, which is tailored to their specific requirements. We have over 50 years of recruitment and accountancy experience which you will benefit from when using our umbrella/employment solution or contractor specific accountancy services.

If you decide to join the Champion umbrella/employment solution, you will be entitled to statutory payments and insurances including a personal accident scheme at no extra cost. Other benefits include:

• Continuous employment for all of your assignments
• Fully accredited with FCSA
• The option to make ‘Salary Sacrifice’ Pension Contributions (NO extra admin charge)
• Same day payment as standard (NO extra admin charge)
• Free access to Champion Rewards - offers potential savings of up to £200 per month (NO extra admin charge)
• Champion Fuel Card – offers savings of up to 20p per litre at BP fuel stations (NO extra admin charge)
• The option to be paid Weekly or Monthly – you choose!
• Simple application process – online or over the phone
• No Tie in periods or exit fees

Along with partners from the employment law, insurance and financial service sectors, the Champion Contractors team proactively manage administrative burdens and assist clients to maximise their financial rewards, whilst ensuring that they remain compliant at all times.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Putting Contractors First, Every Step of the Way

With over 20 years of experience supporting contractors and freelancers, SmartWork combines the reassurance of full compliance with the personal service you’d expect from a team that genuinely cares about your success.

Compliance You Can Trust

We’ve held FCSA accreditation for 10 years and have been an APSCo Trusted Partner for over 20 years – certifications that are rigorously audited annually to protect contractors and give recruitment agencies complete confidence.

Our ISO 27001 certification protects your data security, while our SafeRec certification helps recruitment partners minimise compliance risk across the supply chain.

A Service Loved by Contractors

Our commitment to supporting contractors is reflected in our outstanding Google and Trustpilot reviews. When you work with SmartWork, you’re not just a number; you get a dedicated account manager and a team that’s there to help every step of the way.

What We Offer:

For Contractors:

 Get paid faster – Same-day payments at no extra cost

 Stay in control – Secure online portal for payslips, timesheets, and documents

 No hidden costs – Transparent pricing with no setup or exit fees

 Fully protected – Comprehensive insurance including Public & Employers’ Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Medical Malpractice

 Proper employment – Full contract of employment with all statutory benefits

 Life perks – Referral reward, private pension support, and access to contractor- specialist mortgages  Quick to start – Set up in as little as 15 minutes, online or by phone

For Recruitment Partners:

 Real-time payroll verification – SafeRec certification for live compliance checking

 Dedicated agency support managers – Your direct line to our team

 Advance payment facilities – Available for preferred partners

 Trusted track record – Featured on over 100 Preferred Supplier Lists

 Seamless contractor experience – Making your candidates’ journey smooth and compliant

Click on one of the links to the left to contact us; we’d love to hear from you.