Orca Pods

If you run a recruitment business, work with umbrella companies, or sit anywhere in the supply chain, the next 12 to 18 months will force decisions you can no longer avoid. I’m joined by Joe Taffurelli, an umbrella industry veteran with deep government and policy insight, to talk honestly about what the recent Budget, Joint and Several Liability, and the Employment Rights Bill really mean for umbrellas, agencies and end clients. We don’t hold back and cut through political optics and get into the commercial reality facing businesses right now. We discuss why JSL is not just about compliance but about tax collection, risk transfer and financial stability, why credit terms and margins are becoming existential issues, and why the umbrella market is heading for consolidation. We also explore why the industry lacks an authoritative voice and how that is damaging trust across the supply chain. If you think you can wait until next year to act, or that software or insurance alone will solve this, this conversation should make you think again. “A well run umbrella protects the entire supply chain, that’s the point.” – Joe Taffurelli   You'll Hear About:   Reaction to the UK Budget Why business feels targeted again The real purpose of JSL Tax before worker protection Credit risk and balance sheets Why margins must rise Consolidation in the umbrella market Industry narratives damaging trust Employment Rights Bill cost pressures Why action cannot wait   About Joe Taffurelli:   Joe on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joetaffurelli/ Ovio Solutions - https://ovio-solutions.co.uk/   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/ Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/ Orca Pay Group on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/orcapaygroup/?hl=en

The Employment Rights Bill has been delayed, so what does that mean for businesses? The Employment Rights Bill didn't get Royal Assent before summer recess as expected, but that might actually be good news for businesses. I'm back with employment law expert Paul Chamberlain to break down the government's newly published roadmap and what it means for the recruitment sector. We dive deep into why the House of Lords amendments matter, particularly around unfair dismissal rights from day one, and explore the staggered implementation timeline that now stretches to 2027. Paul explains the complexities around zero hours contracts, guaranteed hours provisions, and how these changes could fundamentally alter recruitment business models. The discussion covers upcoming consultations, the new Fair Work agency launching in 2026, statutory sick pay changes, and the potential unintended consequences of forcing guaranteed hours contracts. We also touch on fire and rehire provisions, sexual harassment law changes, and the significant trade union measures tucked into this bill. Can Labour deliver on their manifesto promises while keeping businesses viable? The roadmap suggests they're finally listening to industry concerns, but the devil remains in the detail.   “You can't deal with this unless clients are educated” – Paul Chamberlain   You'll Hear About: Employment Rights Bill stalled in House of Lords Government roadmap extends implementation to 2027 Day one unfair dismissal rights consultation coming Zero hours contracts and guaranteed hours provisions Economic pressures forcing government policy changes Fair Work agency launching April 2026 Statutory sick pay changes from day one Fire and rehire provisions being refined Sexual harassment law strengthening requirements Trade union measures and balloting changes Umbrella company regulation delayed until 2027 Client conversations essential for agency preparation   About Paul Chamberlain:   JMW Solicitors - https://www.jmw.co.uk/ Paul on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chamberlainpaul/   JMW on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jmw_solicitors/ JMW on X - https://www.twitter.com/jmwsolicitors JMW on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jmwsolicitors/ JMW on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jmwsolicitors/?originalSubdomain=uk   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/ Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/ Orca Pay Group on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/orcapaygroup/?hl=en  

This episode tackles the most significant change to hit the umbrella company sector in decades - the introduction of joint and several liability (JSL). I'm joined by an incredible panel of industry experts who break down what this radical shift means for recruitment agencies, end clients, and umbrella companies. My guests include Simon Bliss, Chairman at Team Recruitment Network supporting 500+ recruitment businesses; Sebastian Sauca, CEO of SafeRec who's revolutionising umbrella compliance through technology; Rhys Thomas, Managing Director at WTT Group providing legal and tax services; and Thomas Wallace, Director of Tax Investigations at WTT, who's spent seven years dealing with disguised remuneration fallout. We explore why HMRC is introducing these changes, how the new liability chain works, and what businesses need to do right now to prepare for April 2026. The conversation reveals surprising business opportunities hidden within these compliance requirements, from M&A valuations to competitive advantages. Don't miss this essential discussion that could determine whether your business thrives or merely survives the coming changes. "We have a problem, but we're solving it together." - Rob Sharp You'll Hear About: What joint and several liability actually means Why HMRC chose this enforcement approach now How JSL creates self-policing in supply chains Reaction from recruitment agencies to the announcement Why due diligence alone won't protect you The role of technology in compliance auditing Business opportunities hidden within JSL requirements Impact on M&A valuations and business sales Worker education and protection from tax avoidance Practical steps agencies should take immediately Criminal finance implications of non-compliance Future enforcement expectations and timeline About The Guests:   Simon Bliss - Chairman at TEAM   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonblissteam/ The TEAM Network - https://www.theteamnetwork.co.uk/   Sebastian Sauca - CEO & Co-Founder at SafeRec   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-sauca/ SafeRec - https://saferec.co.uk/   Rhys Thomas – MD at WTT   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdtfinance/ WTT Group - https://wttgroup.co.uk/   Thomas Wallace – Director at WTT   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-wallace-tax/ WTT Group - https://wttgroup.co.uk/   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/ Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/ Orca Pay Group on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/orcapaygroup/?hl=en

Is your business ready for the Employment Bill set to transform everything? The UK's new Employment Bill is set to change the workplace landscape in ways that could make or break businesses across the country. That’s why you need to be ready, that’s why you need to hear this episode. I am joined by Paul Chamberlain, Head of Employment and Specialist Recruitment at JMW Solicitors. Paul is an expert and breaks down what these changes mean for you and your business. Paul guides us through the most critical aspects of the legislation, including: Day-one dismissal rights, zero-hours contract restrictions, and the wider impacts on recruitment and umbrella companies. These aren't just minor tweaks—they're seismic shifts that will reshape how every employer operates. The bottom line is that the businesses that understand these changes now will have a competitive advantage. Those that don't could face costly surprises. Don't get blindsided by the biggest employment law shake-up in decades—listen now to stay ahead of the curve.   “It impacts every single business that employs individuals.” – Paul Chamberlain   You'll hear about:   Why Agencies and end users should collaborate to avoid penalties. The Employment Bill is a generational change in employment law. The bill will impact all businesses, regardless of size. Unions have played a significant role in shaping the legislation. Unfair dismissal claims can be made from day one of employment. Tribunal time limits will extend from three to six months. Statutory sick pay will now include more employees. Employers need to prepare for increased administrative burdens. Zero hours contracts are not banned but will have added safeguards.   About Paul Chamberlain:   JMW Solicitors - https://www.jmw.co.uk/ Paul on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chamberlainpaul/   JMW on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jmw_solicitors/ JMW on X - https://www.twitter.com/jmwsolicitors JMW on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jmwsolicitors/ JMW on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jmwsolicitors/?originalSubdomain=uk   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/ Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/ Orca Pay Group on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/orcapaygroup/?hl=en   Produced by Between Tracks Media Productions - https://www.betweentracks.com/ 

The Labour Government’s budget has landed. So, what does this mean for the umbrella industry?   Put simply the implications are huge.   To discuss the impacts being faced by umbrella companies, and the labour market I am privileged to be joined by Thomas Wallace, the Director of WTT.   Tom is an expert in the field of tax, having spent years with HMRC he now advises Parliamentary groups and writes for the Financial Times and The Telegraph on the subject.   So, there’s no one better to discuss the budget’s changes to national insurance, the challenges faced by businesses in adapting to these changes, the potential for redundancies, and the moral responsibilities within the recruitment industry.   We delve deep into the legal implications of non-compliance and the shifting responsibilities for umbrella companies and recruitment agencies.   This is a no holds barred, honest assessment of the budget, it’s strengths and shortfalls, as well as where the future of the industry lies.   Now more than ever is the time to come together, so listen carefully to what Tom has to say.   “I think the industry should consider itself on notice”– Tom Wallace   You'll hear about:   00:00 – The Umbrella industry is on notice 00:38 - An introduction to Tom Wallace 01:41 - The employers N.I. element of the budget 06:25 - Redundancies because of the budget 12:09 - The problem with assignment rate & pay rate 17:28 - Tax avoidance or tax evasion 23:27 - Key outtakes from the budget for businesses 27:49 - The shock of umbrella companies in the budget 34:18 - The biggest challenge from the budget 40:27 - The importance of coming together & educating 47:40 - How to get supply chains educated 54:38 - Timescales for umbrella companies to straighten up 01:02:28 - There are no easy answers to this   Connect with Thomas Wallace:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-wallace-tax/ WTT Consulting - https://wttgroup.co.uk/   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/ Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/   

Is your company doing the right thing with people’s data? We all hear about data protection. We all see it on websites we visit with Cookie pop ups all over the place. But are managing it in an ethical way? I wanted to explore this hugely important topic for umbrella companies with Luke Beckley, a data enablement specialist. There have been several high-profile data breaches in the umbrella industry and it’s our obligation to get it right. We cover a lot of ground from the introduction of GDPR in 2018 to the impacts AI has had on data mining. Luke highlights the need for organisations to understand and adhere to data protection principles. He also emphasises the importance of transparency and informing individuals about how their data is being processed. There are risks and consequences of data breaches and the collection of personal data by organisations. We need to go beyond tick-box compliance and truly prioritise data protection. “We need to ask, are we doing the right thing for the individual?” – Luke Beckley   You'll hear about:   01:53 - The changes in data regulation over the last 10 years 06:13 - The differences pre 2018 to now with GDPR 10:08 - The principles of GDPR 16:50 - What you need to know about Cookie policies 20:26 - Should you read every privacy policy? 24:24 - Data breaches in the umbrella industry 32:18 - HMRC demands on Data storage 40:05 - Making yourself as bullet proof as possible 43:06 - The risk of data Armageddon 49:48 - The obligations of recruiters 54:41 - The risk of AI to data 01:06:31 - Luke's final advice on data   Connect with Luke Beckley: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-beckley/ DC-Harmonised on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/dc-harmonised/   My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/    Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/  

The umbrella industry is full of challenges and opportunities.   Done right the perception of the industry could change for the better.   In this episode I am joined by Luke Shannon-Little, Managing Director of Bishopsgate Group and Founder of the Umbrella Leaders Association. Luke shares his journey into the industry and his specialism in the construction industry.   We delve into the different accreditations in the umbrella industry and the challenges they face in making a difference. We also talk about the lack of a regulatory body and the minimal government involvement in creating this.   Luke believes that collaboration and promoting the industry's positive aspects are key to creating change, as he has shown through his work with the Umbrella Leaders Association. He also suggests ways exploitation in the industry could be prevented.   Luke is testament to the fact there are good people in the industry creating the positive change that it needs.   “More businesses are starting to see the value of umbrella companies and the importance of doing things right.” – Luke Shannon-Little   You'll hear about:   00:00 – Start 00:48 - Luke's journey to Bishop's Gate 06:11 - The perception of umbrella companies’ importance 11:38 - Payment model compliance 15:30 - The construction model 20:43 - The Umbrella Leaders Association 32:34 - How do we shine a positive light? 36:55 - Luke's thoughts on accreditations 50:42 - What 3 things would Luke change? 54:03 - The enormity of the problem 01:00:22 - The power of technology and data   Connect with Luke Shannon-Little:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lslittle/ Bishopsgate Pay - https://bishopsgatepay.co.uk/    My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/ Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/

This man needs no introduction to those in the umbrella industry.   Known for speaking his mind, shaking up the sector and not giving a shit if he ruffles feathers.   Drey Francis may well be the most hated person in the umbrella industry, which is why I wanted to find out what makes him tick.   He is CEO of Compass Contracting, having worked in the industry for 14 years. His aim, in his own words, is to achieve the unachievable and make an umbrella company a valuable asset while maintaining morals and putting people first.   In this conversation we discuss the challenges and issues faced by umbrella companies, the need for regulation, and the role of technology in improving compliance. Drey expresses his vocal and controversial stance on industry practices and emphasizes the importance of running an honest company.   He also addresses the criticism he receives and the impact it has on his business. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for education, transparency, and ethical practices in the umbrella industry.   “I really don't give a shit what a lot of my competitors think about me.” – Drey Francis   You'll hear about:   00:00 – Start 01:08 - Who is the real Drey Francis? 03:28 - How Drey's mindset has been shaped 08:04 - How has the industry changed? 11:54 - What does regulation look like to Drey? 18:02 - What happens if everyone adopted technology? 22:05 - The vast majority don't give a fuck 29:09 - Is Drey the most hated man in the umbrella industry? 33:32 - Is there a better way to voice opinions? 40:46 - The impact the election will have 47:05 - Mini umbrellas 53:08 - HMRC enforcing consequences to the supply chain 55:14 - What happens when we work together? 59:12 - Would Drey have done anything differently?   About Drey Francis:   Compass Contracting - https://compasscontracting.co.uk/ Compass Contracting on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-contracting-employment/ Drey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dreyfrancis/   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/ Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/

For decades umbrella companies have had no regulation.   This meant a lack of protection for workers and umbrella companies being non-compliant in their practices to avoid taxes.   But now SafeRec is a company looking to change all that, and in this episode I am joined by the CEO Sébastien Sauca. He has spent nearly a decade working in the recruitment industry, proving himself as a successful Sales Director.   But even with all of his success, Sebastien saw room for improvement in the field of payroll compliance in the UK. That's why he started SafeRec with Jule Marcoueille to bring an AI-Driven solution dedicated to protecting temporary workers, agencies and end-hirers from payroll non-compliance.   Listen as Sébastien shares his reasons for starting the company and what the company is doing to revolutionise the payroll industry.   “We has something that is impossible for umbrella companies to beat the system” – Sébastien Sauca   You'll hear about:   00:58 - What drew Sébastien to tech and compliance? 07:57 - The introduction of the criminal finances act            10:45 - Was Safe Rec always a big vision? 19:31 - How long did it take to come to market? 21:07 - How does SafeRec technology work?            25:40 - How SafeRec gathers information 31:22 - The hurdles SafeRec have to overcome 38:07 - What is the SafeRec certification? 41:29 - Why is everyone not using SafeRec?                                     44:22 – Sébastien’s thoughts on regulation 54:19 – Sébastien’s thoughts on the online payslip checker 57:19 - What's next for SafeRec?   About Sébastien:   SafeRec - https://saferec.co.uk/ SafeRec on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/saferec/ Sébastien on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-sauca/   My resources:   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/ Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/