(Article first published in IPSE Magazine Issue 51)
Jim Cassidy speaks to IPSE's new Chairman James Collings.
The world will watch on in awe. Later this year on an autumnal evening after 3,840 minutes of muscle against muscle, sinew against sinew and courage against courage one young man will hold the Webb Ellis Trophy aloft and he, his team and his country will be crowned Rugby’s World Champions.
Sipping a beer and hoarse with cheering will be rugby fanatic James Collings. James’ dream is that holding this golden trophy aloft will be someone wearing the red rose of England. If the rugby gods decree otherwise, the blue of Scotland, the red of Wales or the green of Ireland will suffice.
But James Collings has seen enough of rugby over the last few decades to know that muscle alone doesn’t win games, you have to use your brain, think tactically, consider strategy and have a clearly thought out game plan.
The new Chairman of IPSE is determined Team IPSE will think tactically, have a defined strategy and a game plan.
As with everything he does in life James is optimistic, he’s a glass half full bloke and negativity is a trait for others.
“I am very proud of IPSE and the journey we have taken together. The recent Trades Association Forum Awards demonstrates the commitment, determination, and progress IPSE have made in supporting and representing our membership. Obviously being chairman of such an organisation is a huge honour and I respect and value the position. The awards were earned under Julie Stewart’s chairmanship and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank her for her dedicated service to IPSE.”
James is a well known face and a distinctive voice that was seen and heard on that journey, but a couple of years ago he surprised many by taking a step back from the day-to-day involvement. What prompted him to take that period of reflection and how has the organisation changed since then?
“The organisation has evolved significantly and its position across all trade organisations has risen resulting in the three awards we received this year. I took a step back to evaluate the direction and give myself time to reflect on what was happening and where we were going as an organisation. Many people asked me to reconsider and I was delighted to see how things moved forward during that interim period.”
Has the married father of one from Buckinghamshire set himself goals on what he would like to achieve as Chairman of IPSE?
“We have a strategic plan which we are committed to achieve and we are already demonstrating progress. I want to work with the board and the senior team to ensure that we meet the goals that are already set. As an organisation we will continue to monitor the political landscape and plan accordingly for developments that will be needed. On a personal level I take a very keen interest in following the government’s national and global agenda for freelancers and I will continue to use this knowledge to influence the direction of IPSE.”
Does that direction include pushing out the boundaries to attract new members from a variety of disciplines?
“IPSE is here for the independent professional and self employed; we are not specific to any particular discipline. If we narrow our field then we will be leaving large groups of people that work in the same way as us completely unrepresented. This will also reduce our own level of influence. We need to increase our voice with the government and an increased membership body will do exactly that. I see this as a win-win model.
“Widening our membership will bring new challenges and opportunities and we need to embrace both and meet the needs of all within IPSE. Going beyond the IT traditional contractor is good for all concerned because all freelancers can learn from each other and this will bring greater benefits in the long run.’
You talk of IPSE’s voice being heard by government, but many were disturbed by the tone and content of George Osborne’s ‘Summer Budget.’ Would you agree that after 15 years everyone accepts IR35 is not fit for purpose, but still there is an urge to tinker at the edges? Would you like to see the IR35 Forum commissioned to find a brand new, more robust, transparent and honest legislation?
“I don’t think the Government have made a clear case for what it is that they are trying to achieve. IR35 has been a huge problem for independent workers for the past 15 years. There have been reviews, committees, and investigations and all of them have agreed that it is a failure. However, until the government can be open and honest about exactly who they believe or consider to be, “the falsely self-employed” then it is impossible to give any credibility to their efforts in this area. To put this into commercial terms:
If after 15 years of product development your product is still not working…. Then you really should accept that you have the wrong product!
“I really would like to see the Government and HMRC work with the IR35 Forum to clearly articulate specific examples of this “false self-employment” so that a completely new approach can be developed to deal with those cases and ensure that Independent Professionals and the Self-employed are clearly kept out of scope.”
It’s not often you see James looking like he’s just emerged from a prolonged and tough scrum, but the issue of IR35 seems to exercise this strategic thinker. I decided to keep on the political front foot. What were your thoughts on the other two contentious issues raised in the Budget, the 7.5% increase in dividend payments and the announcement of new restrictions on travel and subsistence expenses that are to be imposed on one-person limited companies?
“I fear that the 7.5% tax increase on any dividend payments is just the beginning. With Income Tax and National Insurance now subject to a triple-lock, one of the few routes left for this a Government to repay the Debt is to increase taxation on small owner-managed businesses. While applauding the fact we have one of the lowest corporation taxes in Europe I feel the latest tinkering is a cynical attempt to tax the wealth-creators that are stoking the fires of recovery.
“The proposed changes to the travel and subsistence rules are even more perplexing. We have heard many times that the UK has fared better through the recession due to our flexible and mobile workforce. I cannot fathom why the budget therefore decided that there should be restrictions placed on those very same mobile and flexible workers? Once again, I fear that sloppy legislation is being wielded like a sledgehammer in a nut factory. There is no consideration given for the collateral damage that will be inflicted on our economy.”
Prior to May’s General Election there seemed to be an overwhelming view that the Conservatives were the party of the self-employed. A view supported with the appointment of Anna Soubry as Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Skills and the reappointment of David Morris MP as Government’s Ambassador for Small Business. Do you still see the present government as the party of the self-employed?
“All political parties are far from perfect when it comes to setting the political agenda for small business. We have to influence, respond and deliver the best for our membership regardless of the political party.
“We have a lot of work to do and that is exactly the task that IPSE will relish now and in the future. During our existence we have engaged with a Labour Government, Lib-Con Coalition, and a Conservative Government. The dialogue in recent years has been very good but it still doesn’t necessarily mean the policies that follow are to our liking, or have the interests of contractors at heart but by large our views are heard. However there is still a lot of work to do especially with HMRC and within the ranks of the Labour Party both of whom sadly seem incapable of accepting or welcoming the phenomenon that is the self-employed and its value to the economy, It is our task to change this.
“I would like to see the government of the day dominate and direct the political agenda. They have mandate from the people of this Country and should not be influenced or deflected by some within the Civil Service who seem to have a negative agenda when dealing with the self-employed. My hope is that Anna Soubry in her role as Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Skills supports small business, shows innovation by demanding fresh and innovative thinking from her civil servants and uses her undoubted skills to become the champion of the UK’s 4.5m self employed!”
Many believe IPSE has evolved and become a more mature organisation, in doing this, have we lost the edge to campaign and fight?
“IPSE as the title states is for the independent professional and self employed and that is exactly what IPSE has become: professional. This word has many meanings but if you interpret it as matured, then that is a positive. Lashing out and being reactionary is weak and illustrates an immaturity and won't gain respect from the political parties. Our campaigning and energy to fight is as strong as ever, if not more so, but it is now organised, planned and delivered in a powerful and effective way.”
Like a good captain James Collings is aware of the challenges ahead. One of the most contentious of issues in the months and perhaps years to come will be the EU Referendum. How will James and IPSE approach that debate?
“The EU referendum will be an important part of our political agenda and IPSE will want a coherent plan of action. I will be working with the Board and the senior team to build our strategic messaging for this. Our main aim will be to ensure that our members get the best deal, either within or out of Europe.
“We are working within the European Forum for Independent Professionals to understand the various approaches to independent working across member states. Many of our members benefit from the free movement of labour within the EU, but harmonisation of laws relating to independent workers would not be so beneficial. So much of this referendum will hinge on the actual question that is being asked and what changes Mr Cameron can negotiate with Brussels before then.”
Those who know James Collings associate words like integrity, honour and honesty when talking of him, but behind the trademark smile there lurks a laser sharp brain; and just in case anyone wants to tackle him head on they should also remember there is a steely determination about everything he does.