PCG, the membership organisation for freelancers, has announced it is rebranding in order to represent all independent professionals working in the UK’s growing self-employed sector.

ICS are an IPSE Accredited Accountant

From 1st September 2014, PCG will become IPSE, the Association for Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed.

The consistent rise in people choosing to become self-employed over the last ten years means the sector reached a record 4.59million strong in July, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics.

Chris Bryce, Chief Executive of IPSE, said:

“By next year, the number of self-employed people in Britain is predicted to outnumber those working in the public sector. Individuals in business on their own account need representation and with our history fighting for freelancers and contractors, we are the right organisation to step up to this challenge.

“The way we work in the UK has changed almost beyond recognition in the last decade. Every month thousands of people are waking up to the benefits that come with starting a business and IPSE will be there to ensure they are supported and protected every step of the way.

“Self-employment is the zeitgeist. It has grown by an astonishing 39% since 2000 and has outstripped growth in traditional employment by 3 to 1 in the last decade. With nearly 22,000 members we are already the largest association of independent professionals in the EU.  As IPSE, we will aim to add the backing of a sector almost five million strong to that number.  Standing together as one, we are impossible to ignore.

“It is time Government truly recognised the dramatic shift in the way we work in the UK. While there’s never been a better time to work independently, much can be done to create a level playing field for the people brave enough to go it alone. IPSE’s aim is to make self-employment central to the economic debate in Government and to ensure policies are in place that make it easier to become self-employed and to be self-employed.”

ICS are an IPSE Accredited Accountant and are able to offer discounted IPSE membership to all our clients. For more information visit www.icsuk.com.