The contractor partner built around your needs
Sapphire is an umbrella and accountancy provider with over 12 years of experience supporting thousands of contractors across the UK. We handle your payroll, keep you compliant and give you direct access to expert support whenever you need it. Most importantly? We make sure you get paid accurately and on time, every time.
Benefits that go beyond the basics
Transparent, accurate pay
Clear, itemised payslips and pre-payment text updates so you always know what’s landing and when.
Compliance you can rely on
We have eight consecutive years of FCSA accreditation and SafeRec real-time payroll auditing, so every payment is independently verified.
A share of our success
As we’re employee-owned, contractors who’ve been with us for over a year qualify for tax-free profit-share bonuses. We’ve shared over £1m in such bonuses since 2024.
Brilliant service, brilliant perks
We go beyond basic payroll. With Sapphire, you can access free and independent financial and mortgage advice, salary sacrifice into any private pension or SIPP and extra benefits worth up to £600 a year.
Responsive support, whenever you need it
Our team responds to 96% of emails the same day, by phone, email or WhatsApp.
Sharing success
Sapphire is employee-owned, meaning when the business does well, the people who make it possible share in it – including our contractors.
Every year, we distribute a profit-share bonus to contractors who have been with us for more than a year. This year, we surpassed over £1m paid directly to longstanding umbrella contractors who helped build what we have.
paid directly to contractors since 2024
Contractor support you can rely on
“Sapphire is a trusted, compliance-first partner. Alex is always on hand, respectful of our preferred ways of working and quick to resolve queries and payment issues. As umbrella legislation changes, their audit-ready approach and clear, timely communication give us and our contractors real confidence.”
Sophie Anderson, Associate Director, Venn Group
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a compliant umbrella company?
Choose an umbrella company with independent accreditations that prove its compliance, not just claims of it. Look for FCSA accreditation and SafeRec auditing, which verify a provider’s processes and financial controls through external review.
Before you sign up, check the provider:
• Holds current FCSA accreditation rather than a single past assessment
• Has SafeRec accreditation, which independently validates payroll in real time
• Gives you a clear, itemised payslip that shows every deduction
• Pays you directly, with no payments routed through other companies first
If a provider guarantees a fixed take-home percentage or lists part of your pay as a loan, this is a sign of non-compliance and should be avoided: non-compliant arrangements can leave you facing serious tax bills later.
Is Sapphire FCSA accredited?
Yes. Sapphire holds eight consecutive years of FCSA accreditation and secured SafeRec accreditation in 2025. Sapphire is also an APSCo Trusted Partner.
These accreditations matter because they’re awarded by independent bodies that audit how a provider operates. FCSA accreditation confirms Sapphire meets strict compliance standards, while SafeRec independently validates Sapphire’s payroll processes and financial controls. For you, that means fewer compliance risks and confidence that every payslip is correct.
How does Sapphire protect contractors?
Sapphire protects you through independently verified compliance, clear pay and support built around your needs. Every payslip is itemised so you can see exactly how your pay is calculated, and you’re paid directly with no third parties in the chain.
That protection is backed by:
• Eight consecutive years of FCSA accreditation and SafeRec real-time payroll auditing
• Clear pre-payment communications so you know what you’ll receive before payday
• A team trained to spot and support contractors who need extra help
• An excellent Trustpilot score from more than 5,000 reviews
This matters because a compliant, transparent umbrella keeps your pay accurate and shields you from the tax risks that come with non-compliant providers.
What support will I get as a Sapphire contractor?
You’ll get fast, personalised support through whichever channel suits you, whether that’s phone, email or WhatsApp. Sapphire answers 96% of emails by close of play, so you’re not left waiting when you have a question about your pay.
Support goes beyond speed. Compliance guidance is built into every conversation, which means you get clear, legislation-aligned answers as part of the same service.
What makes Sapphire different from other umbrella companies?
Sapphire is employee-owned, which means the people supporting you have a genuine stake in doing it well. Since 2024, Sapphire has paid over £1 million in profit-share bonuses directly to contractors. While most umbrella companies keep their profits, Sapphire shares them with the contractors who help build the business.
For you, that means a compliant umbrella that treats you as someone worth investing in, not just a payroll number.
