IPSE to award most talented contractors

A contractor body is searching for the “most talented self-employed people” in the UK -- in return for recognition and £5,000 in business investment.

Open to anyone aged 24 and over who works independently, the Freelancer of the Year award will go to one winner and one runner-up, said IPSE.

For showing “exception in a range of areas,” including a strong portfolio, a passion and commitment to freelancing, business nous and creativity, both will be bestowed with cash prizes.

Able to be in any sector and regardless of specialism or skills, the winner will get £5,000 to invest in their business, with exactly half that amount going to the runner-up.

But on an online page outlining the award, IPSE said that “business support” prizes would also be up for grabs, to “help you run things even better.”

Alongside the Freelancer of the Year award, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) is also calling for nominations in five other award categories,

The five are; Young Freelancer of the Year; New Freelancer of the Year, Co-Working Space of the Year, University Partner of the Year and Ambassador of the Year.

Nominations must reach the association by March 30th, and applicants for some categories – including Freelancer of the Year -- will also be invited to pitch their business in London on judging day, May 10th, to decide the winners.