Freelancers play a crucial role in creative and marketing teams, offering organisations flexible access to top talent exactly when they need it. Their adaptability and specialist knowledge help businesses innovate, deliver high-quality work, and seize new opportunities.
Working directly with organisations can also present challenges. Around 30% of freelancers experience delays in being paid on time, which can disrupt cash flow and create unnecessary stress.
On top of this, compliance with tax rules, contracts, and IR35 legislation adds further complexity for both freelancers and clients.
At Devonshire, we help organisations and freelancers navigate these challenges:
- Timely Payments & Payroll Solutions: Weekly payroll ensures freelancers are paid promptly, whether via PAYE, Umbrella, or Limited Company arrangements
- IR35 & Tax Compliance: Our team helps manage risk and ensures engagements comply with current regulations
- Clear Contracts & Scope Management: We provide guidance to reduce misunderstandings, define responsibilities, and protect all parties
- Insurance & Risk Verification: We confirm necessary cover, giving freelancers and clients confidence in each engagement
- Market-Aligned Rates: Ensuring fair and competitive pay to attract and retain the best talent
By supporting freelancers with timely payments, compliance guidance, and contract management, organisations can engage freelance talent more effectively, reduce risk, and ensure projects run smoothly. Freelancers enjoy security, clarity, and a smoother working experience.
Freelancers & Compliance: FAQs
Freelancers play a vital role across creative, marketing, and presentation teams, but working directly with organisations can bring unexpected challenges from late payments to compliance and contract complexities. That’s where agencies like Devonshire step in, helping both clients and freelancers navigate these issues smoothly. Here are some of the most common questions we hear:
Q – Why are freelancers seeing a delay in payments?
Around 30% of freelancers report late payments when working directly for a client. This can disrupt cash flow and make managing day-to-day finances tricky, especially for contractors relying on timely income.
Q – How can agencies help with payments?
We manage weekly payroll for PAYE, Umbrella, or Limited Company arrangements, so freelancers are paid on time every time. That means no cashflow surprises, and clients don’t have to chase invoices or worry about administrative delays.
Q – What about compliance and IR35?
IR35 and other tax rules can be confusing. Our team assesses assignments, mitigates risk, and ensures compliance, protecting both freelancers and organisations.
Q – Are contracts and scope ever an issue?
Absolutely. Misunderstandings about deliverables, hours, or responsibilities can create friction. We provide clear contracts and defined scopes, helping everyone understand expectations upfront.
Q – Do freelancers need insurance?
If they work via their own Limited Co, yes. Many clients assume freelancers have coverage for professional indemnity or public liability, but that’s not always the case. We verify insurance and risk management, keeping freelancers and clients protected.
Q – Are rates different if using agencies?
Agencies ensure market-aligned, fair rates. Freelancers get paid what they’re worth, and clients gain access to high-quality, reliable talent without the risk of underpaying or overpaying.
Q – Why does this matter for clients?
Managing freelancers properly reduces delays, ensures compliance, and makes projects run smoothly. Organisations can access specialist skills quickly and confidently, while freelancers enjoy security, clarity, and a professional experience.
Want to understand how the freelance market is evolving?
Our latest Trends Guide explores freelance hiring trends, market rates, and what organisations need to know when engaging freelance talent.
👉 Download the 2026 Trends Guide here
Supporting Freelancers, Protecting Clients
At Devonshire, our suite of services from payroll and contractor management to screening and resourcing builds on this support, giving both clients and freelancers confidence and peace of mind every step of the way.
We also have a pool of experienced freelancers across the Creative, Presentations, Digital, and Marketing sectors. Each freelancer will be vetted, screened, and have their portfolio reviewed, so they’re ready to step in and support your projects.
If you’d like to hear more or book a freelancer for your next project, reach out to our Head of Growth and Partnerships, Kabs Ghale ([email protected]). Kabs will be happy to connect you with the right member of our team to support your needs.