Platform Smart
Empowering compliance and growth in the self-employed IT industry
With a commitment to ensuring compliance and effectively managing IR35 within their firm, Platform Smart have partnered with Kingsbridge – a leader in specialized insurance, IR35 status determination, and onboarding compliance solutions for contractors, SMEs, sole-traders, freelancers, and independent workers – to add expert consultancy and market-leading products into their arsenal.
As a hybrid management consultancy providing IT professional services to organisations across the UK, Platform Smart have been building one of the largest networks of independent IT experts in the UK to form what is known as the ‘Associate Programme’.
They have combined traditional IT consulting practices with the experience, pragmatism and flexibility of the IT contract market to create a new hybrid consulting model for their clients. Given the hybrid nature of their business, proper and fair treatment of independent workers is at the heart of their commercials.
With a commitment to ensuring compliance and effectively managing IR35 within their firm, Platform Smart have partnered with Kingsbridge – a leader in specialized insurance, IR35 status determination, and onboarding compliance solutions for contractors, SMEs, sole-traders, freelancers, and independent workers – to add expert consultancy and market-leading products into their arsenal.
Kingsbridge offers "invaluable partnership"
Oscar Roper, Head of Associate Programme at Platform Smart, highlights the critical role Kingsbridge plays in their business:
“At Platform Smart, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional value to our clients, going above and beyond the services we offer, and supporting them in navigating challenges such as compliance with the IR35 legislation. The hybrid nature of our business means the majority of our delivery consultants are independent associates, often operating through their own limited businesses. This means they’re subject to the same compliance processes and legislations as other interim workers including IR35, and business insurances. Our partnership with Kingsbridge has proven to be invaluable, giving us a platform to run reliable IR35 assessments, purchase relevant business insurances, and gain access to IR35 expertise as required, allowing us to provide a complete solution to our clients and bring structure to an often chaotic and misunderstood process.”
Kingsbridge offers a suite of premium insurance products that ensures comprehensive coverage for contractors, freelancers, and SMEs, including professional indemnity (PI), public liability (PL), and employers liability (EL). Additionally, they provide a range of add-ons, including IR35 insurance, Directors’ and Officers’ liability coverage, legal expenses insurance, personal accident cover, and more.
Kingsbridge IR35 Status Tool
Kingsbridge’s exclusive, award-winning IR35 Status Tool serves as their primary resource for conducting employment status assessments. It ensures accurate determination of IR35 status, providing a solid foundation for compliance and a fair, trustworthy approach for their contractors and clients.
Developed by leading IR35 specialists who have successfully defended over 600 IR35 investigations, the tool takes a 360 view of both contract wording and working practices for as accurate a result as possible. If it’s a clear-cut case, the tool generates an instant employment status determination based on a carefully engineered set of questions, as well as a comprehensive report that pulls through the notable positives or negatives of the assessed engagement. If it’s a borderline result, the answers given are passed over to one of Kingsbridge’s in-house IR35 specialists for further manual review.
Kingsbridge is currently the only IR35 solution provider on the market to offer this best-of-both approach.
'Off-Payroll Protect' Insurance Policy
This market-leading insurance product covers the supply chain, providing peace of mind to Platform Smart and their clients. In the event of an HMRC investigation, Kingsbridge will defend your position and this policy ensures all parties involved are protected against tax liability should we not be successful.
Furthermore, Kingsbridge’s offerings are not only cost-effective but also deliver exceptional coverage, setting them apart in the market.
Kingsbridge compliance solutions for complex supply chains
Clients of the Platform Smart network recognize the importance of business insurance, viewing it as an integral part of the onboarding process. The comprehensive Kingsbridge insurance package policy offers excellent value, providing a level of coverage that brings peace of mind to contractors, consultancies, and end clients alike.
In addition to insurance products, Kingsbridge serves as a pivotal source of expert advice for Platform Smart. Access to this specialist consultancy and the ability to collaborate on content for their associates has proved invaluable.
Oscar Roper emphasizes the impact of Kingsbridge on their business:
“The IR35 Status Tool has been instrumental in helping Platform Smart navigate the changes to IR35 brought into effect in 2021. It helps set us apart from other suppliers by offering a process that is simple, minimizes risk, and instils confidence in procurement and legal teams. The range of Kingsbridge insurance products and access to their IR35 Status Tool enhances the value we’re able to provide to our clients.”
Platform Smart’s strategic partnership with Kingsbridge has not only ensured compliance within the complex world of IR35 but has also been a catalyst for their continued growth and success. The seamless integration of Kingsbridge’s specialized tools and comprehensive insurance solutions has fortified Platform Smart’s position in the industry, offering unparalleled value and peace of mind to their associates and clients alike.
With Kingsbridge as their trusted partner, Platform Smart stands ready to navigate any compliance challenge, secure in the knowledge that they have the expertise and coverage needed to thrive in the IT sector.
Could your business benefit from a similar partnership with Kingsbridge?
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