Contractor and recruiter services provider ADVANCE is confident of further growth after recording a 7% increase in revenue. Turnover for the year ending 31 March 2016 was £57.1 million, up from £53.5 million compared with the previous 12 months. The company has now achieved six consecutive years of revenue growth since its launch in 2010.

Since 6 April, 2016 temporary workers who personally provide services to a client under arrangements involving an employment intermediary, or through their own personal service company where work arrangements fall within IR35, are no longer able to claim tax relief, or a disregard for national insurance contributions, on the travel and subsistence expenses they incur on ordinary commuting from home-to-work. The exception to this is where the individual is not subject to supervision, direction or control of any other person in the manner of the work they perform.

Managing director Shaun Critchley attributed the growth to an increase in the number of ADVANCE’s recruitment agency partners. He said: “These results are pleasing and we’ve had an encouraging start to the new financial year, with revenues from April to August 3% ahead of forecasts.

“Following April’s legislation changes we have seen a significant growth in demand for our umbrella solution. This is thanks to our expertise and experience in ‘supervision, direction or control’ (SDC), which we have built up since 2014 through our self-employment solution.  

“Post-April our umbrella employees can – subject to their SDC status – still claim home-to-work travel and subsistence expenses. Mileage is variable and all other expenses are fixed.

ADVANCE says it is the only provider to have passed Freelancer & Contractor Services Association (FCSA) compliance audits for all three core contracting solutions – limited company accountancy, umbrella employment and self-employment. FCSA is a trade association for professional employment services (umbrella, accountancy, payroll) supporting the UK’s flexible workforce. Associates and members of FCSA adhere to its’ Charter and code of conduct and their compliance is reviewed by independent assessors. ADVANCE is due for a review in January 2017.

Based in Chester, ADVANCE works with recruiters in a wide range of sectors and industries including IT, engineering, media, energy, life sciences, construction and education. 

“We pride ourselves on delivering a world-class service and eschewing a one-size-fits-all approach in favour of a flexible attitude and tailored solutions”, added Critchley. “Our objective now is to continue to achieve sustainable growth while staying true to these principles.”