From professional contractor to independent professional: The evolution of freelancing in the UK

Abstract

Professional associations play an important role in democratic societies, especially where the interests of the parties being represented fall outside the boundaries of traditional employment arrangements. This paper presents an insider's view of the recent developments, surrounding freelancing and self-employment in the UK and the deliberate strategies undertaken to evolve the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) formed in 1999 into the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) in 2014. PCG was initially formed by a small number of IT contractors seeking to thwart proposed changes to the UK tax regime, specifically IR35. Subsequent developments in freelancing and self-employment arrangements as well as strategic actions taken by PCG (relocating its headquarters; rebranding the organisation; becoming the authoritative voice for the self-employed; providing a responsive range of value-adding services to members and building alliances to establish credible research capability) have positioned IPSE as the leading specialist association for independent professionals, freelancers and the self-employed in the UK.