The role of the IPSE board remains crucial in setting strategy and providing leadership, guidance and oversight to the organisation. The IPSE Director Elections are a vital part of this, ensuring IPSE members are at the very heart of decision-making.
After a very competitive process, the IPSE board is now delighted to welcome two new Directors.
Below, we take a closer look at the two newly elected Directors, offering a glimpse into their careers and outlining the knowledge and skills that they will be bringing to the IPSE board.
Following the conclusion of the IPSE Director election in January, the board are pleased to announce the election of Joe Woodhouse as an elected non-executive director.
Having been an IPSE member for five years, Joe brings a wealth of IT contracting and board-level experience to the IPSE board. Having initially operated overseas as an IT contractor from 2003, Joe has since freelanced in the UK from 2017.
For the past three years, Joe has played an important role within the IPSE Policy and Research Committee, sharing his own experiences of self-employment with the group whilst also bringing ideas for policy development.
Working mainly in the banking sector and operating through his own limited company, Joe experienced firsthand the impact of the IR35 reforms. Wanting to share this experience with fellow IPSE members and raise awareness, Joe has even penned a piece on IR35 as part of IPSE’s ‘Secret Contractor’ series.
Joe hopes that IPSE will be able to draw on his vast array of IT contracting experience and his insight for how IPSE operates behind the scenes to ultimately advance the organisation.
On his election to the IPSE board, Joe commented:
"Firstly, thank you to all who voted. IPSE is the only organisation advocating and lobbying for UK freelancers and the self-employed. I'm proud and excited about this opportunity to help increase our membership and the value we bring to members. My initial focus will be on issues such as IR35, umbrella corps and PAYE contracts, late payments, cost of living, and pressure on rates from AI."
Following the conclusion of the IPSE Director election in January, the board are pleased to announce the election of Phil Cowhig as an elected non-executive director.
Phil has been a long-standing IPSE member, joining the IPSE community fourteen years ago. In that time, he has worked through both a limited company and an umbrella company so is well-placed to understand the many trial and tribulations of IR35 and its impact on IPSE members.
Phil’s career in self-employment spans an impressive thirty-five years, several industries and both start-ups and corporates.
Having also volunteered as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for a Citizens Advice charity, he also brings a wealth of board-level skills and experience to the IPSE board.
Phil hopes that IPSE will be able to draw on his knowledge of the IPSE community and aims to further equip members with skills and tools to stay ahead in an ever-changing digital landscape whilst keeping IPSE at the forefront of the sector.
On his election to the IPSE board, Phil commented:
“Thank-you to everyone who voted in the election. I look forward to serving on the board. My areas of focus will be: benefits to members; impactful campaigning; and the long-term success of IPSE as an organisation”.
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