IPSE

IPSE, the professional community for UK self-employed people

IPSE is a UK not-for-profit organisation dedicated to people who work for themselves. It presents itself as a professional membership community that helps the self-employed protect their business, grow with confidence and have a stronger voice on the issues that affect them. Its motto, "Independent. Never alone", sums up that dual proposition: professional autonomy without isolation.

Origin and evolution

The organisation was founded in 1999 as the Professional Contractors Group (PCG), bringing contractors together to challenge the introduction of IR35. Since then, according to its own account, the world of self-employment has changed and so has the organisation. Today it defines itself as a diverse community of self-employed professionals offering a collective voice, expert support, practical protection and connections to build stronger businesses.

Memberships: grow, protect and influence

IPSE structures its offer around three membership types, designed for different needs within self-employment:

• Accelerate (grow): aimed at those who have already consolidated their business and are looking for larger contracts, to sharpen their strategy and have the backing of a senior profile when needed.
• Empower (protect): aimed at those building their activity and needing a support network, protection against unforeseen events and tools to keep growing.
• Advocate (influence): for those who want their voice heard, to back campaigns and stay informed, given that self-employment is shaped by decisions made at Westminster.

Services and resources for members

Membership gives access to instant answers from experts, a network of self-employed people who share similar experiences and regular events that keep members connected. The website also mentions resources such as advice, downloads and a Launch programme, as well as information on pricing and benefits. The organisation presents itself as a not-for-profit structure in which, it states, everything goes back into supporting the self-employed.

Campaigning in Parliament

IPSE carries out campaigning and political lobbying on several issues affecting the collective:

• Parental pay: it calls for parity with employed parents, so that self-employment does not mean losing maternity and paternity pay.
• Making Tax Digital (MTD): it asks that those earning under £30,000 be kept out of MTD's scope, so that modest incomes are not hit with costs they cannot absorb.
• IR35: it calls for the 2017 and 2021 reforms to be reversed, considering that these rules make it too hard to hire flexible talent.
• Artificial intelligence: it argues that professionals' work should not be used to train AI models without their consent and without payment, with particular attention to creative freelancers.
• Late payment: it advocates for a standard payment term of 30 days, so that clients do not fund their cash flow at the expense of the self-employed.
• Employment status: it calls for a single clear legal test to replace the current complexity of UK employment status law.

Media presence and structure

The organisation highlights that its issues have been covered by media such as BBC, Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian, Daily Mail, The Independent, Daily Mirror, Daily Express and The Sun. IPSE has its own team, directors responsible for governance and strategic direction, and a senior leadership team responsible for corporate direction and operational delivery. The organisation also states that its team is supported by independent professionals. Its governance documentation includes annual accounts, general meeting minutes, articles of association and other reports.

Registration details

IPSE is registered in England and Wales with number 03770926. Its registered office is at 3rd Floor, Paternoster House, 65 St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AB.

Location and contact

3rd Floor, Paternoster House, 65 St Paul's Churchyard, London, England, EC4M 8AB