Freelancer of the year opens for entries

 Self-employed workers are being encouraged to enter the IPSE 2019 Freelancer of the year awards.

The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE) said it is looking for the “best and brightest freelancers”.

Applications for the 2019 Freelancer of the Year Awards are now open; they close on Friday 29 March, after which the finalists will be invited to attend a judging day in London on Thursday 9 May. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 13 June.

IPSE’s awards have been recognising innovation and excellence in the freelance community since 2014. This year, there are four key awards:

• Freelancer of the year, with a £5,000 cash prize for the winner and £2,000 for the runner-up;
• Young freelancer of the year, with a £3,000 cash prize;
• New to freelancing, with a £3,000 cash prize;
• Freelance project of the year, with a £1,500 cash prize.

Applicants will be judged on a range of criteria including the strength of their portfolio, business acumen, creativity, the distinctiveness of their offering and their passion and commitment to freelancing. All finalists will also win a range of industry-leading business support prizes, as well as a one-year IPSE membership.

The event will also recognise organisations and individuals that support freelancers; there are awards for the ambassador of the year, the co-working space of the year and the university partner of the year.

Claire Barrance, IPSE’s community and events lead, said: “IPSE is, and always has been, extremely proud of the UK’s freelance community. We’re delighted to be able to recognise and honour outstanding achievement through these awards. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do; if you’re freelance, you should consider entering. And don’t worry if you’re not a full-time freelancer, if you’ve got a great side hustle, we want to hear from you too.

“Over the years we’ve met some fascinating, and truly talented, people through the awards – from mime artists and crime scene investigators, to origami sculptors and actresses – and we look forward to welcoming many more in 2019.”