THE 2024 JUDGES
Our expert judging panel will represent a whole host of specialties across the industry. Judges are invited to score the entries following our robust criteria, via an online judging system and then come together for a judging day to decide on our shortlist and winners.
Anthony Sherick - Head Judge
Anthony has worked in the Contracting Industry for over 15 years and was the MD of ContractorUK, Technojobs and founder of WomeninTech.co.uk.
A passionate advocate of contracting compliance and innovation as well as a commentator on the contracting market particularly careers, contracts and the hiring market. Anthony set up The Contracting Awards to recognise those companies that continue to innovate and set the highest standards in the contracting industry. Anthony also spends time advising contracting clients.
Andy Hallett
Andy has 20 years experience in the contract recruitment sector. Having started as a trainee, he undertook roles in Sales, Marketing, Operations, Technology and Commercial rising to Senior Partner at SThree Plc
An instinctive problem solver and creative thinker, he now acts as an independent consultant to firms looking to grow their revenues across new products, services and territories.
Seb Maley
With a background in tax, Seb joined Qdos in early 2003 to help build the company’s services for freelancers and contractors. Having handled numerous tax enquiries, Seb has an extensive knowledge of the IR35 legislation as well as other issues affecting the contractor market.
He was appointed a Director in 2012 and Chief Executive in 2017. As a sought-after commentator, Seb is often quoted in mainstream media, having featured in the Financial Times and Telegraph and many more.
Shelley Ankers-Wainwright
Shelley is the founder of S.A.W Consulting, a specialist consultancy business supporting Umbrella firms to be more compliant, efficient and competitive. More recently, she founded Umbrella Ready, which offers a complete package to facilitate the set-up of a compliant Umbrella and payroll service, including full training and support.
Shelley has been in the umbrella industry since 2008, having spent over a decade at Optionis where she was involved in all major legislative changes and was instrumental in the growth and success of the business. She has held various senior positions including Group Sales Director over both the Umbrella and Accountancy brands.
Shelley is passionate about helping to improve the reputation of the umbrella industry and wants to use her experience to help new and established umbrella companies offer the very best when it comes to service and compliance.
Graham Palfery-Smith
Graham has been involved in the Recruitment Industry for over 40 years, placing his first contractor in 1979 whilst he was still at college!
He is an accomplished and highly experienced strategic senior manager who has built and run a wide range of specialist Recruitment businesses internationally, between them placing many thousands of contractors.
Presently, Graham, is Chairman/non-executive/board advisor director for several businesses in and around the Recruitment sector. An enthusiastic supporter of the industry he retains his passion for the sector despite his advancing years!
Rebecca Seeley Harris
Rebecca is a leading expert in ‘employment status’ and IR35 and the law involving independent contractors and the self-employed for the purposes of tax and employment law. Rebecca has run her own consultancy for the past 20 years covering all employment status issues such as off-payroll in the private and public sector, otherwise known as IR35, s.44 and any issues affecting the self-employed and personal service companies.
Rebecca was also seconded to the Office of Tax Simplification (an independent body of HM Treasury) as a Senior Policy Adviser to advise the government on employment and tax status. Rebecca was also a representative on the Cross Government Working Group on Employment Status and has most recently published the review into the taxation of the Gig Economy.
James Osborne
With over 25 years experience in the recruitment sector, James is Co-Founder of The Recruitment Network (TRN), a large global membership community of recruitment business leaders, Co-Founder of Karmavo, a human capital venture fund and a Non-Executive Director for a number of fast growth recruitment businesses.
James’ sole purpose is to enable recruitment leaders build and scale highly profitable recruitment businesses and maximise shareholder value.
Julia Kermode
Julia is a contingent workforce expert on a mission to safeguard workers, empower them and ensure they are treated fairly. She has particular expertise in the umbrella sector, with detailed knowledge on compliance and best practice.
Through her website IWORK.co.uk Julia actively champions contingent working, and lobbies the government on issues such as tax avoidance, disguised remuneration, loan charge, employment status and the gig economy.
Prior to IWORK, Julia spent 7 years as CEO of FCSA, a trade body for accountants and umbrella companies. Julia also spearheaded FCSA’s influence within the government, and raised standards within the umbrella sector.
Julia is also a contractor herself, providing consultancy services to advise and support businesses in how they engage contingent workers..
Robert Woodward
Rob is an Associate Director in BDO’s Global Employer Services team and a Chartered Tax Adviser. He has twenty years’ experience of advising employers on matters such as employment status, off-payroll working, furlough grants, internationally mobile employees, HMRC enquiries and employee expenses and benefits. Rob’s clients include organisations in the private, public and not for profit sectors but with a particular focus on those operating in the recruitment sector.
Rob has a wide range of experience within the contracting sector, working with a number of contractor clients. Rob is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), a fellow of the Association of Taxation Technicians and sits on the CIOT Employment Tax Technical Committee. Rob has presented on and written about a range of tax matters.