We’re glad the clocks are going forward, as we need maximum daylight to fit everything ICS-related in! In turbulent international times, and with game-changing JSL legislation becoming law, trusted compliance has never been more important, so read how to discover how we’ve continued to travel and connect far and wide, as well as broken records, awarded promotions, and supported some very special (and energetic!) projects close to home.
Office Insight
We came into March with another set of records broken: highest number of new client enquiries, new registrations and payments processed. With the imminent Joint and Several Liability (JSL) legislation and increased focus on stability and compliance, the unceasing dedication to trust, care and compliance demonstrated by ICS’s hardworking teams is proving invaluable to increasing numbers of contractor and agency partners.
Our third cohort of four has started their ‘Gratitude Gallery’ journey, facilitated by professional photographer and former NHS mental health services occupational therapist Ginny Koppenhol. Supporting collaboration and staff wellbeing, having seen two groups go through this incredibly positive collaborative initiative, they are keen to start capturing informal smartphone snaps of appreciation from everyday life to join our office gallery, sharing ourselves as individuals with unique stories, families, and passions rather than our job titles.
What Glass Ceiling!
Huge well done to two stars at ICS Accounting who received well-deserved promotions this month. Alison Waterhouse becomes Sales Manager, and Megan Green becomes Senior Business Partnership Manager, a mark of the huge impact she has made at ICS Accounting since joining just over a year ago. MD Colin Thompson highlighted Alison and Megan’s consistently positive and inspiring, team-focussed attitude to business challenges- exactly what we strive for across all our ICS partnerships.
Out & About
Some of us were up early for Lancaster & Morecambe Chamber of Commerce breakfast networking meeting at the historic Storey, with a timely presentation on Connect to Work by Nicola Roberts, Employer Engagement Lead at Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub.
Megan represented ICS at the Recruitment Agency Expo London, bringing together agencies and trailblazing speakers for seminars and discussions on the latest recruitment technologies and cutting-edge HR strategies, always good to expand our toolkit!
With everyone so busy, we’re looking forward to our forthcoming annual company-wide year-end social, a rare event to connect with colleagues from across the country, celebrate and… draw a veil over whatever else may happen!
Striding out for our Community
It was best foot forward for some of the ICS Accounting team, on a walk around the beautiful sunny spring Lancaster countryside, raising funds for Flynne’s Barn, an amazing charity which supports young people and their families coping with cancer, including respite stays, activities and counselling. Even with Colin taking a wrong turn allegedly deliberately (“to test your teamwork and initiative!”), everyone arrived home safely (after relieving Colin of map and compass duties!) https://buff.ly/cHMfXyF.
As part of our Social Value focus, ICS staff teams take turns to nominate a local charity to support. Local fundraising can make so much more impact on your doorstep, as can practical support. We’ve pitched in at a local foodbank, homeless shelter and charity allotment, with people who have suffered severe head trauma, and local military veterans suffering from mental health issues. Making us more engaged with our local community, it’s definitely brought members of the team closer together.
Bringing Back Gold to the Bay
We’re very proud of our connection with local cheerleading academy, Stormers Elite, who represent so much that is positive for young people today: inclusion, teamwork, trust, physical exhilaration and mental resilience. After sponsoring them to Summit 2025 in the USA last summer, we’ve just cheered them on at the All Levels Championships in Germany, where they triumphed by double gold-medalling, also qualifying them for the European Summit 2027- well done!
Jump to it for JSL and Beyond
The Chancellor’s Spring Statement earlier this month focussed attention on the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) crisis, and the responsibility recruitment agencies, businesses and employers have in creating opportunities and nurturing talent. With JSL legislation about to become law on the 5th April, in today’s increasingly scrutinised and regulated landscape, focus must be on how providers transparently operate in all aspects of payroll accuracy, tax reporting and financial resilience.
ICS Accounting are currently the only umbrella company in the UK with all four payment solutions FCSA accredited; one of the key reasons so many agencies have partnered with us and continue to do so long-term; trust we never take for granted. If you have any queries, are interested in discovering more about any of the outstanding bespoke accountancy and Umbrella services we offer across a wide range of sectors and specialisms, contact our experienced, welcoming team.
Wishing you a bright and successful step into spring,
Your ICS Accounting Team
