Most recruiters don’t wake up worrying about umbrella legislation.
They’re thinking about placements, clients, and keeping the desk moving. But a major change coming in April could quietly put recruitment businesses on the hook for millions in unpaid tax if they get one decision wrong.
In this episode, I’m joined by Sean White, Managing Director at Omnia Outsourcing.
Sean started his career in industrial recruitment before moving into payroll, so he’s seen this from both sides of the fence. He breaks down one of the biggest legislative shifts the recruitment sector has faced in years and explains why burying your head in the sand is no longer an option.
We talk through what’s actually changing, why HMRC is pushing joint and several liability down the supply chain, and what that really means for agency owners. Sean explains how non-compliant umbrella companies have historically disappeared when things go wrong, leaving contractors exposed and agencies thinking they were safe, until now.
You’ll hear why accreditations alone aren’t enough, what good looks like when it comes to payroll reporting, and the simple checks recruiters should be making right now. We also get into the uncomfortable reality of what happens if you get this wrong, from eye-watering tax bills to reputational damage that can wipe out years of work.
Beyond the risk, we explore the opportunity. Sean shares why this legislation creates a short window for recruiters to have smarter, more consultative conversations with clients and procurement teams. Done right, compliance can become a point of difference, not just another headache.
We wrap up with Sean’s view on what 2026 holds for recruitment. A year shaped by legislation, tough decisions, and a real gap opening up between businesses that take this seriously and those that don’t.
If you run a recruitment business, this is an episode you can’t afford to skip.
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