Complete rebrand for contractor association
The Professional Contractors Group has this week revealed its new name: the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE).
With a completely new brand and website, the move represents what they themselves call a ‘significant transformation’ as they look to extend their representation to independent workers who may not define themselves as ‘contractors’.
Apparently IPSE should be pronounced ‘ip-say’, which conveniently means ‘oneself’ in Latin.
IPSE were quick to reassure existing members that the rebrand wouldn’t affect their representation of contractors. “We will continue to provide our members with the same best-in-class services and knowledge base that we do today,” says Chairman Julie Stewart. “IPSE will continue to support all freelancers, contractors, independent professionals and the self-employed from all areas of the economy, and we will be able to offer further specific support to individual industry sectors”.
The PCG was originally formed in 1999 in direct response to the introduction of IR35, to which it is still staunchly opposed. It was also heavily involved in the 2007 Arctic Systems case, which marked a turning point in the Section 660 legislation.
With a reported 4.59 million self-employed people in the UK, IPSE will undoubtedly be aiming to expand their existing membership of 22,000 significantly over the coming years.
Shouldn’t it be pronounced “oopsie”?
Not from Latin, but from the vernacular (the verb ‘to screw up’).
This is still the same people who were given a chance to have IR35 abolished when the Forum was established and instead chose to introduce the BETs without so much as consulting their members (who were known to be almost unanimously in favour of appeal).
Is it any wonder that people think this lot are now trying to preserve their own existence?
Oopsie membership would drop like a stone if IR35 were repealed and – despite their assurances that they would ‘happily disband’ if that were to happen – actions speak louder than words.