Best self-employed to be spotlighted at IPSE Awards 2023. Enter now!

“Get a reminder set in your phone so you don’t forget.”

It might sound like a nudge from the government to ensure freelancers don’t miss another emergency alert to their mobiles.

But this top tip to get technology to memory-jog was actually dropped by Vicks Rodwell, who was calling for final -- final -- entries to the IPSE Freelancer Awards 2023.

'Hard-working'

The annual event spotlights the “most important and hard-working” type of UK worker today – the freelancer – in 12 different categories, making it the biggest IPSE awards bash to date.

Rodwell, a director at IPSE – the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed, was putting freelancers on notice for the awards deadline of today, May 12th.

But the association will this morning extend the closing date for entries to 1700 on May 15th, meaning the busy self-employed have three more days to enter. You can enter here.

'All freelancers can enter'

IPSE’s Andy Chamberlain also told FreelanceUK last night that while freelancers can nominate themselves, this year the customers of the self-employed ought to step in too.

“We’re calling on any and all freelancers to consider putting themselves forward for the 12 categories, including Young Freelancer, Self-Employed Newcomer and Freelance Project.

“Perhaps nominate someone you know for the new Lifetime Achievement award. But yes, if clients encouraged their freelancers to enter, those freelancers – like us -- would love that.”

Will you be at 'The Cheesegrater,' London?

Nominated freelancers will be assessed by a panel of judges, before potentially being invited to attend IPSE’s glitzy awards ceremony on Thursday July 6th, at the Landing Forty-Two.

In a nod to the dizzy heights self-employed people go for their clients, IPSE said the venue is the UK’s highest dedicated events space, located on floor 42 of London’s 'The Cheesegrater.'

Faye Dicker is a freelancer who has not only triumphed professionally, as a voiceover artist and boss at Freelance Mum, but she’s also got an IPSE award from 2021 on her mantlepiece.

'Enter with pride'

“If you're the sort of person who struggles to enter awards, then think of it this way - you're doing it for your community,” Dicker says.

“The people who believe in you. Your customers. Your stakeholders. Because they think you are amazing, and they want to see you win! So don't enter for you, enter for them - and do it with pride.”

All finalists for the IPSE Awards 2023 will win one-year IPSE Plus membership – worth £350, as well as a trophy, recognition at a national level and other “high-profile” PR opportunities.

'CV and networking boost'

IPSE’s policy director, Mr Chamberlain reflected to FreelanceUK: “The IPSE awards are a great showpiece for all the amazing work that freelancers do throughout the year.

“Previous winners have found the awards have given a real boost to their CVs as well as providing good networking opportunities.

“And the awards night itself is always a real favourite on the IPSE calendar. We get to hear from a diverse range of amazing businesses, have a few drinks and meet the people that are making a real difference in the UK economy.”