UK Professional Services Pays Up, But With Wide Disparities

The Numbers

• Companies analysed: 159
• Average PaymentCheck Score: 70.0/100
• UK average: 50.0/100 (Professional Services is 20 points above)
• South West average: 82.5 (7 companies)
• Wales average: 77.2 (1 company)
• East Midlands average: 75.3 (4 companies)
• London average: 72.2 (99 companies)
• East of England average: 71.8 (5 companies)

What Stands Out

Professional services clearly outpaces the UK average on payment practices, scoring a 70 compared to the national 50; but with a score of 70, there's also significant room for improvement. The relatively small sample size of companies outside of London (only 60 out of 159) may skew regional averages, particularly for Wales with only one company represented.

Best Payers

1. EVERSHEDS SUTHERLAND LEGAL SERVICES LIMITED - 100/100
2. OUTDOOR MEDIACOM LIMITED - 100/100
3. INTERPUBLIC LIMITED - 99.4/100
4. STHREE PARTNERSHIP LLP - 99/100
5. COOPERATIVE LEGAL SERVICES LIMITED - 98.2/100

Worst Payers

1. SLATER AND GORDON UK LIMITED - 20.03/100
2. APLEONA UK LIMITED - 20.35/100
3. KENNEDYS LAW LLP - 20.62/100
4. ADARE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED - 21.8/100
5. FIRSTPORT GROUP LIMITED - 24.03/100

Regional Patterns

While London houses the vast majority of companies analyzed (99), the South West exhibits the best payment performance with an average score of 82.5 based on seven companies, significantly exceeding the London average of 72.2. However, the small sample size in the South West makes this conclusion somewhat tentative.

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Takeaway

Despite an overall PaymentCheck score 20 points above the UK average, the stark contrast between top payers like Eversheds Sutherland (100/100) and bottom performers like Slater and Gordon (20.03/100) reveals a significant disparity in payment practices within the UK Professional Services sector.