Corporate Coaching & Recruitment Awards 2020

Best Contractor Training & Support Provider – UK Since inception, Contractors Anonymous has provided practical advice and support for independent contractors in the UK. As the leading consultancy of their kind, they are the first to offer a formal education and training platform that uses real life experience to help contractors grow a successful business. Contractors Anonymous leverages the knowledge and expertise of Karen Frith, a seasoned contractor who has moved seamlessly from client to client for over 20 years. Before the company was founded, Karen was acutely aware that there was no formal support for contractors, who bring key skills to business-critical projects, but are often undervalued and unappreciated. Understanding that independent professionals often have gaps in their knowledge regarding business management, Karen set out to provide simplified and tailored advice. Whereas many agencies offer CV writing services which are geared towards a specific job, Karen and her team show contractors how to tailor their CV’s for each role they apply for. Similarly, where some coaches might just share interview techniques, Contractors Anonymous teach clients how to conduct and close a business meeting. Offering insights, they help members stand out in a crowded market. Due to recent events, their services have been more necessary than ever. As Covid lockdown measures emerged, the volatility in the contractor market was compounded and several businesses had to terminate contracts. Since contractors were left with very few options, they needed knowledgeable support that could help their business survive. Contractors Anonymous saw an increase in members as these professionals sought guidance. The Contractors Anonymous website contains a knowledge centre that provides answers to the most asked questions in their community. It is a valuable resource for contractors who need readily available answers during this challenging time. Their Facebook group also allows for real-time engagement and has hosted a substantial number of clinics during lockdown under “Project Contractor Care.” The project has supported contractors with CV’s, personal branding, networking, and interview preparation. It has also provided a route for some to further invest in themselves and join their sister company – Contractors Academy, which is usually invitation-only. The Academy’s mission is to double the size of 1,000 contracting businesses within the next 5 years, completely transforming the lives of many of its members who realise they need to diversify their business in order to succeed. It was created to cater to the branding and marketing needs of contractors who realise they need to diversify their business. The two companies work hand-in-hand to assist contractors to grow their business and ensure that it thrives. Even before the Covid pandemic begun, the contracting industry was heavily impacted by the proposed crackdown in 2020 on violators of the IR35 regulations. The IR35 regulations were established in April 2000 to stop “disguised employees” from avoiding income tax by registering themselves as limited companies. Although this legislation serves a good purpose, it negatively impacts independent contractors in many ways. From April 2021 if a client determines the contract is “inside” IR35 the contractor is likely to incur all of the ‘costs of employment’, including Employer’s NI and the Apprenticeship Levy alongside the Employee’s NI and Tax, without the protection of employment law and employee benefits. There is also a risk that HMRC will backdate investigations and contractors could face liability for contracts entered in good faith during the previous six years. One of the main aims of Contractors Anonymous is to help members run a thriving, compliant business. Due to the difficulties posed by Covid, the extension of the legislation to the private sector has been pushed forward to April 2021. This has given contractors an opportunity to seek help from Contractors Anonymous, and the Contractors Academy. Not only to find out how they can continue running a compliant business, but also how they can grow, diversify and protect the future of their families and their business. Giving practical advice and support to independent contractors, Contractors Anonymous helps contracting businesses to grow and thrive. Alongside their sister companies they provide targeted training and business development advice as well as a safety net of compliance information. Contact: Karen Frith Company: Contractors Anonymous Web Address: www.contractors-anonymous.co.uk Oct20304 The Academy’s mission is to double the size of 1,000 contracting businesses within the next 5 years, completely transforming the lives of many of its members who realise they need to diversify their business in order to succeed.