Bristol-based design studio Rhombus, recently certified as a B Corp, is marking its first B Corp Month by offering free brand strategy workshops to UK-based B Corps. They aim to help purpose-driven businesses refine their messaging, strengthen market positioning, and amplify their impact.

Helping B Corps Strengthen Their Brands

As more businesses seek to balance profit with purpose, the need for a clear and compelling brand strategy has never been greater. Rhombus’ workshops provide a tailored approach to branding, helping organisations sharpen their identity and communicate their values effectively.

The free sessions are designed to give businesses actionable insights, covering:

“B Corps are founded on the idea of using business as a force for good, but without a strong brand strategy, even the most impactful missions can struggle to reach the right audiences,” said Simon Day, co-founder of Rhombus. “We want to help fellow B Corps define their vision with clarity and confidence.”

Limited Spots Available

Rhombus is offering just 10 workshops throughout B Corp Month, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses that secure a session will benefit from a two-hour deep dive into their brand strategy, with expert guidance tailored to their specific needs and challenges.

Participants will leave with clearer positioning, refined messaging, and a stronger understanding of how to leverage their brand to drive meaningful change. The workshops are completely free, with no obligations attached, reinforcing Rhombus’ commitment to supporting businesses that share its values.

Why Strong Branding Matters for B Corps

With the growing prominence of ethical business, B Corps operate in an increasingly competitive landscape. A strong brand strategy is crucial for:

By offering these workshops, Rhombus is equipping B Corps with the tools they need to strengthen their presence and create a lasting impact.

How to Apply

UK-based B Corps interested in securing a free brand strategy session can register here via Rhombus’ website.

With limited spaces available, early sign-ups are encouraged.

Rhombus remains committed to supporting purpose-driven organisations, proving that strong branding can be a powerful driver of positive change.

As we settle into 2025, the ongoing cost of living crisis and economic volatility continue to strain both employees and employers, with many employees facing heightened financial insecurity.

So how can you optimise your benefits budget without cutting value?  The first step is to discover how to reallocate wasted spend, secure better pricing, and leverage tax-efficient benefits to maximise impact.

Managing employee benefits, cost control is always on the agenda. But savings don’t have to come at the expense of employee experience. With a smart approach to benefits design, companies can reallocate wasted spend to more impactful benefits – or a better benefits platform to help you manage it all. This makes the most of your existing budget while boosting value for employees.

This practice is sometimes referred to as “cost-neutral benefits,” but the reality is more nuanced. While some companies can identify and redistribute significant savings, others may already be optimising their spend. Either way, a strategic review of benefits is always worth the effort.

Here are three key ways employers can find opportunities to optimise their benefits budget:

  1. Identify overspending on low-appreciation benefits

A common mistake? Investing in benefits that employees don’t value. Recent key research tells us that there is low appreciation levels from employees for their benefits.

The cause is likely to be benefits that don’t align with employee needs.

For example, a Bristol Creatives startup made up of mostly employees in their twenties might be overfunding its life insurance policy, as employees in this age group are less likely to engage with life insurance. By scaling back the coverage from 10x to 2x cover, they could free up a big chunk of their spend—money that could be reinvested in wider range of more relevant benefits, or a platform that helps manage the administrative burden of benefits.

So how can Business Leaders identify these opportunities?

But before you go cutting less utilised benefits, remember: there are some benefits that few employees might use, but that are highly valuable and even life changing to them when they do, such as reproductive assistance or critical illness cover. It’s important to balance these factors when assessing your benefits. Speaking to a benefits design expert will be your best bet to strike that balance.

  1. Secure better pricing and financial models

Cost savings aren’t just about what you offer, but also how you fund it. Many companies lose money by not negotiating the best rates with insurers or missing out on more efficient financial structures.Here are some key ways to make the most of funding:

By optimising financial structures, companies can often unlock significant savings without compromising on benefits quality.

‍3. Leverage tax-efficient benefits

Another overlooked opportunity is tax-efficient benefits, particularly salary sacrifice schemes. These allow employees to exchange part of their salary for benefits, reducing both employer and employee tax contributions.For employers, this means that you’re able to offer amazing benefits like electric vehicle leasing schemes and even grocery schemes…at no cost to you!

In the UK, salary sacrifice arrangements can create savings on:

For employers not already leveraging these benefits, the savings can be substantial, especially on National Insurance contributions. Yet many organisations fail to fully utilise these tax advantages, leaving money on the table.

Maximise your benefits budget with expert support

Not every company will uncover huge savings—but almost all can optimise their approach. By identifying low-value spend, negotiating better financial models, and leveraging tax-efficient benefits, Business leaders and HR provide a significantly improved offering without increasing their spend.

Want to find out where your organisation can unlock savings? Book a free benefits audit consultation with me –same budget, bigger results.

 

Chemistry, trust and authenticity are key ingredients in agencies winning new clients.

That’s the finding of jfdi and Opinium‘s annual New Business Barometer, a comprehensive survey of agency business development professionals, across disciplines including creative, digital, experiential, content and social. 

The report, of which Bristol Creative Industries is a partner, found that generating strong chemistry with the client is the most important factor in converting prospects. It was cited by 74% of respondents, up 5% on last year’s report.

The study said:

“Chasing an increased number of opportunities coupled with hybrid working practice and pitch team stretch is making agency chemistry harder to sustain.”

Trust also plays a key role with connections and referrals the most popular prospecting strategies, highlighted by 86% and 74% of respondents.

jfdi said:

“Trust and authenticity has become a superpower in an anxious world fuelled by misinformation and uncertainty.”

When asked about the key internal challenges, time was the most popular highlighted factor, The report said time saving AI tools are one solution, with “speed of adoption over the next 12 months” potentially leading to “a significant competitive advantage for your agency”.

Five and a half months is the average lifecycle of a new business project from initial contact from pitch to client billing, the study said, and the “ghost pitch” continues to rise with 45% stating budget withdrawal as the reason for pitch loss, a 2% increase on last year.

“Agencies can safeguard their interests by activating tighter qualification of budget ‘status’ within client organisations: is it real, speculative or ‘tbc’?,” the report advised.

Additional findings from the report:

Jon Goulding, CEO at Atomic, said:

“The industry has never been more dynamic than it is today. With so many brands reviewing agency relationships and looking for such a diverse mix of specialisms, your new business strategy and approach is arguably the most important ingredient for modern agency success.

“Over nearly eight years, the New Business Barometer has become the go-to insight resource for the new business community. It always offers a fascinating snapshot into the new business community and this year is no different. While automation and AI may be improving the efficiency of new business processes, the continued importance of trust, personal connections, and chemistry really stands out.”

For a full summary of the report, email camilla@jfdi.uk.com

Advice related to the report’s findings

Event in Bristol on 13 March: How to retain your clients

Don’t lose sight of your new business pipeline

10 top tips for getting the pitch over the line

How Bristol Creative Industries members are using AI

What we’ve learned about AI in agencies: Insights from 30 creative leaders

How to prospect for new business without losing your soul

How creative businesses can write the perfect positioning statement

Rhombus achieves B Corp UK Certification, joining a community of businesses dedicated to making a positive impact.

Bristol-based design studio Rhombus has officially achieved B Corp certification, joining a global community of businesses committed to balancing profit with purpose. 

Rhombus has prioritised more than design, working with organisations that share its values of sustainability, ethical business practices and social responsibility. B Corp provides a recognised framework to continue improving, ensuring accountability, and reinforcing the company’s dedication to purpose-driven partnerships.

The Path to Certification

Attaining B Corp status required a deep reflection on business values, operational impact, and areas for improvement. The rigorous certification, overseen by the nonprofit B Lab, evaluated Rhombus on its social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. While the certification is a proud achievement, the studio views it as the beginning of a longer journey toward continuous progress.

A Commitment to Positive Impact

By joining the B Corp movement, Rhombus strengthens its pledge to foster sustainable and ethical design solutions. Moving forward, the company will focus on key areas including:

A collective effort

The certification is a testament to the dedication of the Rhombus team, whose commitment to using design as a force for good has been instrumental in this success. From rethinking internal processes to championing sustainability in every project, their efforts have been central to the studio’s evolution.

A special acknowledgment goes to Future Shift, a consultancy that played a vital role in guiding Rhombus through the B Corp certification process. Their expertise was invaluable in navigating the requirements and securing this important recognition.

Looking ahead

With B Corp certification in place, Rhombus remains committed to driving positive change within the creative industry. This milestone represents not just an achievement but an ongoing responsibility to push the boundaries of ethical and sustainable design. 

“B Corp certification is about contributing to a wider movement of businesses committed to using business as a force for good,” says Co-founder James Ratcliffe. “We’re excited to keep pushing boundaries, collaborating with like-minded organisations and progressive founders to solve the problems of tomorrow.”

About Rhombus

Rhombus is a Bristol-based branding agency and now a B Corp UK Certified business. We partner with progressive people and organisations to build brands that move the world forward.

About B Corp Certification

B Corps meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, proving that business can be a force for good.

About Future Shift

Future Shift is a sustainability consultancy helping businesses navigate B Corp and Net Zero certification. Their guidance was instrumental in our certification journey.

How to Prepare and File Your 2024/25 Tax Return as Early as April!

Most business owners and self-employed professionals leave their tax returns until the last minute, facing unnecessary stress and pressure. But what if you could flip the script and have your 2024/25 tax return done as early as April? And be the COOL KID in the room

Imagine the relief of knowing it’s sorted, giving you clarity and control over your finances for the rest of the year!

Why File Early?

  1. Peace of Mind – No last-minute scrambles, no worrying about missed deadlines.
  2. Better Cash Flow Planning – Know your tax bill upfront and budget accordingly.
  3. Avoid the January Rush – Accountants are less busy, and HMRC systems are smoother with fewer delays.
  4. Speedy Tax Refunds – If you’re due a refund, filing early means getting your money back sooner.
  5. More Time for Strategy – With taxes out of the way, you can focus on business growth and financial planning.

How to Get Started NOW – yes I know it is February!!

1. Get Your Books in Order
Ensure all transactions, invoices, and expenses for the 2024/25 tax year are accurately recorded. If you use accounting software, reconcile your accounts so everything is up to date.

2. Gather Necessary Documents
Prepare bank statements, receipts, invoices, and payroll records. If you’re unsure what’s needed, make a checklist based on last year’s return.

3. Review Allowable Expenses & Deductions
Maximise your tax efficiency by claiming all allowable expenses, from office supplies to home office costs. Check for new tax reliefs and allowances that apply to your business.

4. Check for Any Outstanding Payments
Make sure all invoices are settled and that you’re clear on any outstanding taxes owed.

5. Consult Your Accountant (If Needed)
If you use an accountant, schedule an early consultation. They’ll help ensure accuracy and advise on ways to reduce your tax bill.

6. File Online Through HMRC
Once everything is prepared, file your return via HMRC’s online system and keep a copy for your records.

The Best Part? You’ll Be Free to Focus on Growth!

By tackling your tax return early, you eliminate unnecessary stress and free up valuable time to plan ahead. Instead of worrying about deadlines in January, you can be strategizing for the next phase of your business.

So why wait? Start prepping in April, and by the time others are just beginning to think about their taxes, you’ll already be done!

In summer 2021 we ran an event discussing funding for creative businesses with the south west team at Innovate UK EDGE and a group of Bristol Creative Industries members.

During the discussion, attendees said it would be useful if we could provide regular updates on the finance schemes that are available for creative companies in the south west and beyond. This guide is our response.

The guide is one of Bristol Creative Industries’ most popular ever blog posts. We keep it updated with the latest funding schemes for creative businesses so check it regularly. We also include the post in our monthy email newsletter, BCI Bulletin. To sign up, go here.   

Latest funding for creative businesses:

Funding news:

The government has announced that the West of England Combined Authority will receive new creative industries funding and extra funding will be provided to the Create Growth Programme, Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, UK Games Fund, Music Export Growth Scheme and UK Global Screen Fund. You can read more details here.

Create Growth Programme

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport Create Growth Programme, delivered by Innovate UK, provides targeted support to high growth creative micro, small and medium sized businesses to scale, build investor networks and reach their potential. The funding is designed to help creative businesses explore new innovation projects as a stimulus for growth.

For the latest round of funding, grants to cover 100% of project costs between £20,000 and £50,000 and between £50,000 and £200,000 are available.

The scheme is for businesses based in 12 regions in England, including the West of England and Cornwall.

Your project must:

Apply for small project grants here and large project grants here.

Applications close at 11am on 29 May.

£200m South West Investment Fund

The British Business Bank, the government-owned business development bank, has launched the £200m South West Investment Fund (SWIF) “to help address market failures by increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for UK smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment”.

Aimed at businesses in Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, the fund provides:

SWIF is managed by four fund managers:

The region is split as follows:

North of the region:

South of the region:

The funding is split as follows:

Businesses can apply for funding directly to the relevant fund managers here.

Innovate UK innovation loans

Micro, small and medium sized businesses can apply for loans of between £100,000 and £2m for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.

Applications close at 12pm on 7 May. More details.

Immersive Arts

A funding and support programme for UK-based artists, designed to help them develop their art by using immersive technologies. The partners of the scheme include Bristol organisations UWE Bristol, Watershed and University of Bristol.

A total of £3.6m in funding is available through three rounds until 2027. Immersive Arts expects to fund over 200 artists.

There are three strands which are designed to support artists at different stages in their creative development. Eligible artists can apply to ‘Explore’ for £5,000, ‘Experiment’ for £20,000 and ‘Expand’ for £50,000.

Applications for round one of funding are now closed. Rounds two and three will open in Spring 2025 and 2026.

More details.

Creative UK Creative Growth Finance II

This £35m Creative UK and Triodos Bank investment fund provides loans of £100,000 to £1m.

Finance is directed to post-revenue creative businesses presenting promising growth potential and who:

More details here.

Locally Unlocking Culture through Inclusive Access (LUCIA)

UK research organisations eligible for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding can apply to form a community-driven research network to enhance access to culture. Funded networks will create partnerships across communities, researchers, and policymakers, to promote urban cultural renewal.

The full economic cost of your network can be up to £100,000 and AHRC will fund 80%.

The deadline for applications is 4pm on 10 April 2025.

More details.

Green Business Grants

This scheme from West of England Combined Authority is designed to help small and medium businesses and organisations purchase and install new products and equipment that reduce carbon emissions, cut utility costs and improve energy efficiency.

Grants are available on a first come, first served basis, with a total of £2m available. It is likely the scheme will close for applications in Autumn 2025, but could close early if all funds are awarded

More details.

UK Games Fund Prototype Fund

Grants for established UK-based companies with a game development project at an early stage in the pipeline.

The funding allocation has now been fully committed, but you can express interest in case any further funds are provided for projects from 1 April 2025.

More details.

BridgeAI Innovation Exchange: Empowering AI Innovation

Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme is providing grants of between £25,000 and £50,000 to develop artificial intelligence and machine learning driven proof of concepts that address a business challenge or opportunity within one of these organisations:

The deadline for applications is 11am on 23 April. More details.

2049: Canada-UK Collaborative R&D

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £3m for collaboration with Canadian SMEs on joint R&D projects.

Applications close at 11am on 16 April 2025.

More details.

National Lottery Project Grants

The fund is an open access programme for arts, libraries and museums projects.

Funding of between £1,000 and £100,000 is available.

More details here.

Developing your Creative Practice

This fund from Arts Council England supports individual cultural and creative practitioners in England thinking of taking their practice to the next stage through things such as: research, time to create new work, travel, training, developing ideas, networking or mentoring.

Grants of up to £12,000 are available.

Applications are currently closed but future rounds will be announced later this year.

More details here.

Supporting Grassroots Music

The £5m Supporting Grassroots Music fund supports rehearsal and recording studios, promoters, festivals, and venues for live and electronic music performance.

More details.

Travelwest sustainable travel grants

Travelwest provides match-funded grants for initiatives that improve sustainable travel provision in a business.

The aim is to provide financial support and incentives to employers to enable them to encourage sustainable modes of commuting or in-work travel (including site visits and meetings) amongst their staff.

The grants can be used for the implementation of physical measures, promotional events or any other measure that will encourage mode change amongst staff.

Grants are currently availables for businesses in Bristol and North Somerset.

More details.

Workplace Charging Scheme

Grant to provide support towards 75% of the cost of the purchase, installation and infrastructure of electric vehicle chargepoints at eligible places of work.

Applications close at 11.59pm on

More details.

BridgeAI funding and support programme

Innovate UK’s £100m BridgeAI programme aims “to help businesses in high growth potential sectors such as creative industries, agriculture, construction, and transport to harness the power of AI and unlock their full potential”.

The programme offers funding and support to help innovators assess and implement trusted AI solutions, connect with AI experts, and elevate their AI leadership skills.

More details.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation Arts Fund

This fund supports organisations who work at the intersection of art and social change. It offers grants between £90,000 and £300,000 over three years.

Applications are currently closed but details of the next round will be announced soon.

More details here.

Arts & Culture Impact Fund

This new £23m social impact investment fund is for socially driven arts, culture and heritage organisations registered and operating in the UK. It offers loans between £150,000 and £1m repayable until May 2030.

More details here.

The Elephant Trust

The Elephant Trust says its mission is to “make it possible for artists and those presenting their work to undertake and complete projects when frustrated by lack of funds. It is committed to helping artists and art institutions/galleries that depart from the routine and signal new, distinct and imaginative sets of possibilities.”

Grants of up to £5,000 are available. Applications for the current round of funding close on 20 April 2025.

More details here.

Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants

Grants of up to £100,000 are available for arts, libraries and museums projects.

The grants support a broad range of creative and cultural projects that benefit people living in England. Projects can range from directly creating and delivering creative and cultural activity to projects which have a longer term positive impact, such as organisational development, research and development, and sector support and development.

More details here.

UK Global Screen Fund: International Distribution

This fund aims to grow exports and global demand for UK independent film by supporting the UK film industry to achieve measurable results which would not have been achievable without the support.

Applications close on at 11.59pm on 31 March 2026.

More details.

UK Global Screen Fund: International Distribution Festival Launch Support

This scheme supports the festival launch of UK films in order to enhance their promotion, reach and value internationally.

Applications close on at 11.59pm on 31 March 2026.

More details.

UK Global Screen Fund: International Distribution Film Sales Support

This scheme supports UK sales agents to increase their international promotion and sales of UK feature film projects.

Applications close on at 11.59pm on 31 March 2026.

More details.

International Showcase Fund

Grants of up to £5,500 for international export opportunities for UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers who have been invited to perform or create new music at international industry facing showcasing festivals, song writing camps or conferences.

Applications close on at 11.59pm on 31 March 2025.

More details.

Locally Unlocking Culture through Inclusive Access (LUCIA)

Apply for funding to form a community-driven research network to enhance access to culture. Funded networks will create partnerships across communities, researchers, and policymakers, to promote urban cultural renewal.

You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding.

Applications close at 4pm on 10 April 2025.

More details.

Start Up Loans

A Start Up Loan is a government-backed unsecured personal loan for individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK. Successful applicants also receive 12 months of free mentoring and exclusive business offers.

All owners or partners in a business can individually apply for up to £25,000 each, with a maximum of £100,000 per business.

The loans have a fixed interest rate of 6% p.a. and a one to five year repayment term. Entrepreneurs starting a business or running one that has been trading for up to three years can apply. Businesses trading for between three and five years can apply for a second loan.

More details here.

UnLtd funding for social entrepreneurs

If you’re running a creative social enterprise you may be able to access funding from UnLtd.

Finance of up to £5,000 is available for starting a social enterprise and up to £15,000 for growing a social enterprise.

Successful applicants also get up to 12 tailored business support plus access to access to expert mentors and workshops.

More details here.

Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme

Businesses can apply for up to £3,500 to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband.

Check if the scheme is available in your area here.

Workplace Charging Scheme

Grants to provide support towards the costs of the purchase, installation and infrastructure of electric vehicle chargepoints at eligible places of work.

The scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (including VAT), capped at a maximum of £350 per socket and 40 sockets across all sites per applicant.

The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on 31 March 2025.

More details.

Know of more funding and support for creative businesses?

If you know of another scheme that we haven’t listed and you’d like to share it with other creative businesses, email Dan to let us know.

The photo above shows the Bristol WordPress team at WordCamp Bristol in 2019 – a moment when the community was thriving. By less than a year later the World had changed and, despite best efforts, Bristol WordPress People had ceased to operate. There has been a void in the city’s WordPress community since.

It’s time to reignite the spark

The exciting news is that a small group of us have been meeting to discuss how we can reignite this once-thriving group. I’m happy to announce that Janice Tye, one of the original organisers of Bristol WordPress People has re-instated the official Meetup and scheduled some networking events at the King William Alehouse, 20 King St, Bristol BS1 4EF. Whether you’re an old friend or a new face, you’re invited to join us:

Tuesday, February 4th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Thursday, March 6th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Tuesday, April 6th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

At its peak, Bristol WordPress People was a hub of inspiration – hosting expert talks, lively networking sessions, and delicious food thanks to sponsors like Atomic Smash and 34SP. This was more than just a meetup; it was a friendly, creative community where people shared knowledge, learned new skills, and helped each other thrive.

Now, we need your help to bring it back to life.

Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress pro, someone curious to learn, a website owner in search of advice, or someone with tips and stories to share, we need your help to revive our once-loved group.

Let’s rebuild this community together. Join us at the King William Alehouse and help shape the future of Bristol WordPress People.

See you soon!

 

 

The West of England is one of the government’s 11 priority areas for the creative industries, culture secretary Lisa Nandy announced today.

The other areas, unveiled during an economic growth summit in Gateshead, are the North East, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, Greater London, South Wales, Glasgow, Edinburgh-Dundee corridor, and Belfast. 

The West of England is also one of six mayoral combined authorities that will receive additional funding, to be agreed as part of the government’s spending review. The others are the North East, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, and West Midlands.

Extra £40m for creative industries funding schemes

The government also announced £40m in funding over the next financial year for the following creative industries funding schemes:

Funding for cultural projects 

Another announcement is that four cultural projects, including one in the West of England, have received £16.2m from the Cultural Development Fund.

The Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset has been awarded £2.7m to complete the final development phase of the Grade II listed seafront complex into a flagship cultural centre.

Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: 

“The much-loved Tropicana is a key destination at the heart of Weston-super-Mare’s seafront. I’m delighted that our bid for £2.7m from Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund has been approved by the UK government.

“This now enables us to carry out additional work to the building including finishing, fit out and providing increased accessibility so that more people can enjoy cultural activities and entertainment there. Reinventing this iconic landmark building will create new jobs, support local businesses, and deliver a year-round experience-led economy for the future.”

The other priojects that have received funding are:

Funding from the Creative Growth Programme

A total of £3.6m in grants from the Creative Growth Programme has been provided to 127 creative businesses in 12 regions across England.

Recipients include these local businesses:

Creative sector plan, British Business Bank funding and apprenticeships

As announced in the industrial strategy green paper, the government is working on a full plan for the creative industries which will be published later this year. It will cover areas including funding and skills.

Feeding into the sector plan is the recently announced Creative Industries Taskforce, led by Baroness Shriti Vadera and Sir Peter Bazalgette. Sir Peter, the former chairman of Endemol UK and creative director of Endemol Group Worldwide, was last year appointed as chancellor of UWE Bristol. Read our interview with him here. In that interview, he said:

“Private investment is currently not good enough. The British Business Bank, which encourages investment in small and medium sized enterprises, is not really attuned to the way the creative industries run, the way small creative businesses work, and the criteria by which they have to be judged and invested in. We need to make progress on public and private investment.

“We also need to make progress on research and development tax credit definitions. The UK has a narrow definition of R&D, which is different to the one in other countries in Europe which includes the creative industries so creative businesses can claim tax credits for the innovation that they carry out.

“We need a more flexible apprenticeship scheme because small companies find it difficult to use the apprenticeship levy.”

Another member of the taskforce is Lynn Barlow, UWE Bristol’s assistant vice-chancellor for creative and cultural industries engagement.

In announcements ahead of the sector plan, the government says the British Business Bank, which supports £17.4bn of finance to smaller businesses, will increase its support for creative companies, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which has an annual budget of £9bn, will strengthen its support for the creative industries.

The culture secretary will also announce that shorter apprenticeships will be be available from August 2025, which the government says “recognises the particular needs of the creative industries, as one of our first steps towards a more flexible growth and skills levy”. 

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said:

“From film and fashion to music and advertising, our creative industries are truly world-class and play a critical role in helping us deliver on this government’s mission to drive economic growth in all parts of the UK.

“Our £60m funding boost will support creative and cultural organisations across the UK to turbocharge growth by transforming local venues, creating jobs, supporting businesses and spreading opportunity across the country.

“But this is by no means the limit of our ambitions, which is why the creative industries are at the heart of the forthcoming industrial strategy and will continue to play a key part in this government’s plan for change.”

Why be a square when you can be a Rhombus?

Bristol-based strategic design agency Rhombus have launched their refreshed brand to better align their visual language with their evolving purpose. Known for their work in crafting transformative brands, websites, and campaigns, the studio has repositioned itself to emphasise collaboration, creativity and strategic problem-solving.

For Rhombus, design is about finding the right balance between strategy and creativity to solve problems, inspire audiences, and drive meaningful change. As their work has grown, so has their purpose – partnering with progressive organisations and people who are on a mission to do things differently.

What’s stayed the same?

Despite the visual overhaul, Rhombus maintains its strategic approach to projects, which the studio describes as a balance between insight-driven strategy and creative execution. This involves viewing each project through a lens of problem-solving and potential, whether in the context of branding, web development, or campaign creation. From crafting distinctive visual identities to building engaging websites and powerful campaigns, their work is designed to spark change, grow audiences and connect brands with the people who matter most.

While the studio’s external identity has evolved, its core values and processes remain the same, providing clients with the same thoughtful, collaborative approach they have come to expect.

What’s new?

Each change is intended to communicate Rhombus’ values more effectively:

The Rampersand: The new logo integrates an ‘R’ with an ampersand, symbolising the studio’s focus on people and process. It’s about collaboration between their team and partners, and the transformation that creates for organisations and individuals alike.

Basel Grotesk: The introduction of Basel Grotesk as the primary typeface reflects a blend of modern aesthetics and historical design influences. Inspired by modernist typography, it is bold, flexible and designed to elevate the studio’s visual language.

A new colour palette: The updated palette features a range of colour, each with a specific purpose: Process, Optimism, Transformation, Play, and Rigour. This deliberate selection reflects both the diversity of Rhombus’ work and the intentionality they bring to every project.

From raves to rebrands, Rhombus’ journey to becoming an agency has been anything but traditional. It began in Bristol’s vibrant DIY music scene, where they learned to build brands through a hands-on approach. Designing rave posters provided their first design experience, with their signature brand colours paying homage to the day-glo stock they once plastered across the city.

An evolution with purpose

This transformation is not about change for the sake of it, but a deliberate step forward to align who Rhombus is with what they stand for. Their work is about finding the perfect balance – creativity and process, imagination and rigour, people and purpose.

They remain the same studio, but with a renewed purpose to shape brands that don’t just look great but move all of us forward.

Explore Rhombus’ new site here

One of the big benefits of Bristol Creative Industries membership is the ability to self-publish content on our website. We’ve seen lots of great content published in 2024 including some brilliant business advice.

Here are the 30 most popular advice posts of the year. The list includes some posts from 2022 and 2023 that have continued to attract views thanks to their great tips.

Want to publish business advice on our website and make it into the top 30 most popular content in 2025? Become a member of Bristol Creative Industries.

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1. Current landscape for freelancers

Written by Moxie and Mettle

Click below or read the article here.

 

2. Mastering the art of pop-up experiences: A guide for experiential designers

Written by Imagineerium

Click below or read the article here.

 

3. Six brand strategy models for focus and structure

Written by Halo

Click below or read the article here.

 

4. How does Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) work?

Written by Varn

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How does Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) work?

 

5. How to measure SEO success: 7 key metrics

Written by Varn

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How to Measure SEO Success: 7 Key Metrics

 

6. Transferable skills in the creative sector

Written by Moxie and Mettle

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Transferable skills in the creative sector

 

7. The top transferable skills in TV production

Posted by Carnsight Communications

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The top transferable skills in TV production

8. Here are 7 steps to PR yourself

Written by Carnsight Communications

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Here are 7 steps to PR yourself

9. Podcast vs broadcast: Spot the difference

Written by David Sheppard

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Podcast vs Broadcast: Spot The Difference

 

10. PR touchpoints: what are they and why are they important?

Written by Carnsight Communications

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PR touchpoints: what are they and why are they important?

 

11. Exploring experiential design trends shaping 2024

Written by Imagineerium

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Exploring Experiential Design Trends Shaping 2024

 

12. Shopify for SEO: Top 10 benefits and three mistakes to avoid

Written by Varn

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Shopify For SEO: Top 10 Benefits & 3 Mistakes to Avoid

 

13. What is greywashing and why is it important?

Written by OggaDoon

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What is Greywashing and why is it important?

 

14. The challenges of crafting a brand story and how to overcome them

Written by Bopgun

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The challenges of crafting a brand story & how to overcome them

 

15. Leveraging machine learning algorithms in a cookieless future

Written by Superb Digital

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Leveraging Machine Learning Algorithms in a Cookieless Future

 

16. How organisations can build higher levels of trust

Written by Rich Roberts

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How organisations can build higher levels of trust

 

17. Apprenticeships? It’s time to bust some myths

Written by Vid Communications

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Apprenticeships? It’s time to bust some myths…

 

18. 5 ways AI can enhance creativity and engagement in experiential design

Written by Imagineerium

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5 Ways AI can enhance creativity and engagement in experiential design

 

19. Apprenticeship: Finding your next star

Written by Vid Communications

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Apprenticeship – Finding Your Next Star

 

20. A creative freelancer’s guide to a mid-year review

Written by Gather Round

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A Creative Freelancer’s Guide to a Mid-Year Review

 

21. Why TikTok has to be part of your content strategy

Written by Ambitious

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Why TikTok has to be part of your content strategy

 

22. Greenwashing: Walking the line between authenticity and deception

Written by OggaDoon

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Greenwashing – Walking the Line Between Authenticity and Deception

 

23. SEO for beginners: Unravelling the mysteries of SEO for up-and-coming businesses

Written by BrisTechTonic

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SEO for Beginners: Unravelling the Mysteries of SEO+ for Up-and-Coming Businesses

 

24. A comprehensive guide to outbound links for SEO

Written by BrisTechTonic

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A Comprehensive Guide to Outbound Links for SEO

 

25. How to position yourself as an expert in your field

Written by Blog Write

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How to position yourself as an expert in your field

 

26. DEI – a quick-sprint guide to inclusive brand language

Written by SIM7

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DEI – a quick-sprint guide to inclusive brand language

 

27. Spring cleaning 101: how to organise your email inbox

Written by Carnsight Communications 

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Spring cleaning 101: how to organise your email inbox

28. How to write copy in the right tone of voice for your brand

Written by Blog Write

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How to write copy in the right tone of voice for your brand

 

29. To B or not to B? Our journey to B Corp certification

Written by The Discourse

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To B or not to B? Our journey to B Corp certification

 

30. The ultimate guide to TV advertising costs

Written by South West Film

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The Ultimate Guide to TV Advertising Costs

 

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