WOW! Our Future of Umbrella event was MASSIVE! 

48 hours after CMR’s Legislation, Liability & Leadership event, in sunny/rainy Manchester, I’m still on a high.

Genuinely, thank you to everyone who attended, presented, sponsored and showed an interest. The room was packed with energy!

We had umbrella providers of all sizes, recruitment agencies, accountants, tech suppliers, suppliers, with some travelling hundreds of miles to get there. That’s how passionate this sector is! It goes the distance!

Theme-wise, it’s what’s on everyone’s lips: how our industry prepares for the upcoming umbrella legislation changes.

Below’s the debrief of the day.

🔈Speakers of the House🔈

We had four absolutely brilliant speakers, each offering their own perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Chris Bryce (FCSA) – bringing an industry-wide lens on compliance and standards.

Sebastien Sauca (SafeRec) – highlighting how technology and monitoring tools can give agencies the confidence they need.

Simon Bliss (TEAM) – sharing the agency perspective and the importance of clarity for recruiters.

Poonam Mawani (Azuki) – grounding the discussion in financial reality and how agencies will need to adapt.

I’ll be looking to wrap the nitty-gritty of each into a piece of content over the coming days (maybe weeks). For now, here’s what came out.

🔑Key Themes Are Made Of These🔑

Education: Despite everything that’s been published to date, too many agencies remain in the dark on what’s coming. Umbrella companies have a responsibility to step up and help partners understand the practical impact of the changes. Not just from a compliance angle either, but also in how processes and contracts will need to evolve.

Insurance: If liability is going to sit higher up the chain, recruiters and clients will inevitably expect protection. Insurance solutions, combined with robust technology, are likely to become a non-negotiable part of the service offering.

Optimism: Encouragingly, the mood in the room wasn’t doom and gloom. In fact, the majority of attendees felt positive about the future, confident that with the right preparation the industry can adapt and thrive.

👀What’s Next & Looking Ahead👀

We’re quickly approaching Q4 and 2026. My goal is to squeeze one more event into the year (maybe two). So, this is just the start.

The conversations need to continue. And they need to turn into action. The issues that matter most need a platform. One where we can all discuss, debate and even shape what happens next.

And, because it’s a democracy at CMR, if there are speakers or topics you’d like us to cover, drop me a note. I want these sessions to be led by the needs of the market.

💼And don’t forget, we’ve got ROLES!💼

Account Manager Potters Bar | Up to £50,000 package

Our well-established client is looking for their next hire to come in and hit the ground running. Great business, with a lot of scope for progression.

Customer Success Manager South Manchester | £30,000 basic

A fantastic opportunity for someone who has the right attitude to clients. The job title gives away what they’re wanting from you. Interested?

Client Accountant Hertfordshire  | £35,000 basic

If you’re good with numbers and are looking to join a business that values people just as much as profit, get in touch.

💭My Wednesday Wrap-Up 💭

If there was ever any doubt about this, we can put it to bed now – when this industry comes together, we tackle the complex like no other.

Legislation, liability, and leadership will continue to dominate the conversation as we head toward April 2026, but the key is preparation.

I’ll keep creating spaces where providers, agencies, and partners can learn from each other and share solutions, until someone tells me not to.