The report is based on figures from the ONS Self-Employed Workers in the UK report alongside an analysis by employment level.
It reveals there are now 739,000 self-employed contractors in senior management and director roles – up from 502,000 in 2009. The rate of growth is significantly higher than the overall figures (+21%) and those for general managers and professionals (+32%).
Procorre relationship manager Lisa Mangan puts the increase down to a combination of managers looking to improve their work/life balance and a desire to increase their earning potential.
“Many senior professionals will feel that they now have an opportunity to advance their careers by becoming self-employed," she said. "They can then enjoy the freedom to pick and choose roles that are of the most interest to them as well as being more financially rewarding.”
Mangan added that this means companies might be better off "buying in" the desired skills for the boardroom on a short-term basis.
"This approach also allows the contractor to focus upon their area of expertise and maximise the amount of time spent doing what they do best, rather than dealing with the distractions of day-to-day management or office politics," she said.
