We had fantastic evenings in Glasgow, Woking and Bristol this past week for our most recent Member Meet-Ups!
The Glasgow Meet-Up was the first in our series of meet-ups that will inform IPSE’s manifesto ahead of next year’s General Election.
The group discussed everything from IR35 and Managed Service Company legislation to the knock-on problems caused by a lack of regulation of umbrella companies, as well as getting the balance right between working from home and working on the client’s site/office and even artificial intelligence and HS2.
We gathered in a private room in the Grand Central Hotel where members were interested to learn about one another’s businesses which ranged from AI development and cloud architecture to infrastructure planning and nuclear decommissioning.
Derek Cribb, IPSE CEO also held a meet-up in Woking, where a group of members got together from a wide range of industries to discuss all manner of things about IPSE, self-employment and beyond.
Derek summarised the evening:
"It was wonderful to get together with local IPSE members and a couple of invited guests at the Woking Meet-Up on June 29th. We gathered in The Sovereigns pub for a great couple of hours of discussion, sharing the challenges and opportunities being faced by our members.
We touched on the importance of IPSE initiatives such as the new membership categories and our campaigns around IR35 and Managed Service Companies and our strength as the only UK member organisation dedicated to the self-employed. With specialisms ranging from European infrastructure projects through coaching and research to medical, we had a great cross-section of the membership and vibrant discussion – including real excitement for the next local meet-up. A big thank you to all that attended, I look forward to seeing you again next time."
In true Bristol style we had wonderfully diverse members such as a sustainable stylist, a financial consultant, IT consultant and a voiceover artist join us for our summer drinks at the Hole in the Wall. There was rich conversation around their shared connections, how life was currently and providing an insight into their unique offerings as professionals.
We touched upon what IPSE was focusing on such as raising the issues of self-employed mothers being at a financial disadvantage to PAYE expectant mothers and how this year’s IPSE Awards had really strong applicants.
The following day I was delighted to have been invited to take part in a Freelance Mums netwalk around Brandon Hill. We arrived early and connected over an icebreaker where we made representations of our strengths and then set out on our stroll up the hill. These walks are the brainchild of the lovely Faye Dicker and the central Birstol’s walk was expertly hosted by Charlie McCall and Carly Cannings. As we walked there were 3 questions to be asked/answered by yourself and your walking partner which ensured all attendees both ‘gave and got’ something from the outing. We finished up with some interesting ideas on how we’d all fund our ideal retirement while enjoying a coffee.
There are many more local meet-ups in the plans, thank you to those that attended and look out for more meet-ups coming to your local area soon!
If you are interested in hosting an event yourself in your area, please fill out this form and we will be in touch. You can also see all of our upcoming events here.
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