ipse awards

IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed, is hosting their second IPSE Freelancer Awards in a bid to find the UK’s most exciting, ambitious and enterprising self-employed people.

With just two awards, The Inspire Award and The Aspire Award, they are looking for stand-out self-employed individuals who truly represent the talent, work ethic and success found in the UK’s self-employed. The Aspire Award will be awarded to a self-employed individual under the age of 23 that shows the promise of one of tomorrow’s self-employed stars! If this is you then click here now and get that application sent!

Last year’s winner, Rebecca Shipham, an exhibition designer, was congratulated at Number 10 Downing Street by the Prime Minister after her win. After being made redundant from a design agency in London, she returned to her hometown of Hull and set up her business, with only an idea and a handful of contacts, her business has grown from strength to strength. Speaking after her win last year, Rebecca said;

“I want to use some of the money to help others who are thinking of setting up as a freelance, whether they are still at school or working for a company. It’s a big step and if I can offer them some support I will. As part of the competition, I have also been named as an ambassador for the self-employed, a title I am very proud to hold.
I welcome the challenge of promoting freelancing and working for yourself.”

Source: IPSE

Source: IPSE

We love inspirational self-employment stories like Rebecca’s, and we’d love to hear your story of why you made the decision to become self-employed – tell us your story by clicking here.

10 finalists for the Inspire Award and 5 finalists for the Aspire Award will be invited to London to pitch themselves and their business to the panel. They will then all attend the IPSE Awards ceremony in London on 12th November.

The overall winner for the Inspire Award who will receive £5000 to put towards their business, and two runners-up who will receive £2500 – all three will receive expert media and presentation training.

The winner for the Aspire Award will receive £3000 to put towards their business, and will also receive expert media and presentation training.

All finalists in both categories will receive technology prizes and vital business support to help them kick-on in business! These are fantastic prizes so what are you waiting for? Apply now.

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