In my role and a fellow member of Bristol Creative Industries, I often sit down with founders of small creative agencies. They grow their teams from two people around the kitchen table to a buzzing studio of 40. Business is good, clients are happy — but there is a nagging worry about staff turnover.
“I feel like we’ve got a great culture”, “We pay fairly, we’re flexible about working hours, but people still leave for bigger companies. I can’t compete with their salaries — but maybe I’m missing a trick with benefits?”
That’s where an employee benefits audit comes in.
What exactly is an employee benefits audit?
In simple terms, it’s a review of the perks and support you give your team. It looks at the obvious things — pensions, healthcare, life insurance — but also at the less visible, day-to-day benefits: training budgets, wellbeing support, cycle-to-work schemes, flexible working, and even perks like free coffee or social events.
The goal isn’t to overhaul everything. Instead, it’s to answer three key questions:
Why does it matter?
Last month was a crying example for a BCI Member. When we ran their audit, we found they was paying for a health cash plan that most of her staff didn’t know existed — and those who did weren’t claiming. At the same time, their team wanted something much simpler: access to mental health support and more training opportunities.
By reallocating spend, they ended up with a package that cost her less but delivered more. Staff engagement has improved, and they noticed fewer people scanning job ads for “what else is out there.”
For SME/Mid-sized organisations, the stakes are high. Recruitment is expensive. Losing a key person can disrupt client work. The right benefits package won’t stop every resignation, but it can tip the balance between someone staying or leaving.
Isn’t an audit complicated?
Not at all. It’s not a mountain of paperwork or a six-month consultancy project. For Bristol Creative Industries members, it’s simple and free:
That’s it. No jargon. No disruption to your business.
Why now?
The world of work has shifted. What employees expect from their employer in 2025 isn’t the same as it was even three years ago. Hybrid working, mental health, flexibility, and personal development now matter as much — sometimes more — than traditional “perks.”
An audit helps you see whether your benefits reflect that reality. It’s not about spending more, but about spending smarter.
The takeaway
For the BCI Member I mentioned earlier, the audit was a turning point. They didn’t need a bigger budget — just a clearer view of what worked and what didn’t. The result? A happier team, better retention, and money saved.
Your people are your biggest investment. A benefits audit is a small step that makes sure that investment is paying off — for them, and for you.
👉 BCI members can access a free audit via myself. It takes less time than your morning coffee run, but it could make a real difference to your business.
As a teacher, I had one hell of a timetable to follow. The entire day was mapped out in tidy little 50-minute boxes, and the vast majority of my time was allocated for me. But as a full time writer and when launching two businesses, I had the whole day to play with. Like several people I’ve spoken with in the past week, the downside of such blank-page flexibility is making the most of this time and not falling prey to procrastination.
Through a lot of trial and error (and maybe a dash of procrastination along the way) I found strategies that helped me write and self-publish two novels. I’ll share what worked for me, in case it works for you.
Make a list and put it in order: At the start of the day (for me, it’s while eating breakfast), I make a list of everything I would like to achieve that day. Nothing is too small a task – my list contains ‘Reply to X’s email’, ‘Send photo to Y’ – all the little things take time too, and we don’t want them to fall down the cracks. Next, put the list in order, starting with what ‘must’ be covered today, moving into what ‘should’ be covered, and then end with the ‘coulds’ – you’ll complete these if you have time but it’s not the end of the world if you do them tomorrow. It’s also a good idea to put ‘heavier’ tasks earlier in the day too, like that piece of writing you’ve been putting off because it’ll take some brainpower. Now you’ve got the list, that anxious part of your mind that’s worried you’ll forget something can sigh, take a back seat and let you get on with it.
Commit to a 3-hour block: In Stolen Focus, Johan Hari talks about how three hours of flow in the morning can really set you up for the day. We’ve all had days when we’ve done 3 hours of work in 5 or 6 hours, and we know we’re better than that. So find a three-hour window and stick to it. For me, that window is 8am – 11am each morning. I’ve had my breakfast, I’ve made my list. Phone in the kitchen, laptop open, here we go. Working through your list, you’ll do more in those three hours than you’d otherwise do in a whole day. Work like this, and you’ll do more in a week than most people do in a fortnight.
Find an app that works for you: I’ve heard great things recently about NotePlan, and if you want an app that syncs your calendars and gives you reminders, check it out. For me, it’s Notes and Google Docs all the way – I like something that will sync between my phone and laptop, and I like to create my bullet point lists and tables in my own way, so the blank pages work for me here. Whatever you choose, you want something that you can easily refer to when you’re on the go. When you’re having a chat with someone and they ask you to drop them that link – open the app and make a note. Then when it comes to planning your day, you can refer to the Note and bingo – you’re the person that gets things done.
If you’re managing your own time and would like someone to talk through what works for you and help to hold you accountable, get in touch and book a free clarity call.
From a structural perspective, success might look like this: smooth client onboarding, a fully scoped project, clear timelines, and budgets securely locked in.
Sounds like a recipe for success? But, here’s the catch — even with all these components in place, projects can still derail from time to time.
It’s rarely the project process or workflow tools that fail (especially with AI and automation accelerating efficiency). More often than not, it’s the human side, such as communication gaps, mismatched expectations, or even rising frustrations that throw things off track.
That’s why emotional intelligence and soft skills are essential to project management alongside your planning, processes and workflows. Examples such as communication, empathy, adaptability and self-awareness provide the glue that holds projects together, especially when deadlines loom and pressure rises.
In our experience, projects succeed because of the tools we use, and even more so because of how well we connect with clients, stakeholders, and teams, while staying aligned on the outcomes that matter.
Emotional intelligence isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a practical skill set that helps project managers deliver stronger outcomes for both teams and clients.
Here are a few ways emotional intelligence shows up in day-to-day project management:
For small businesses and creative agencies, where teams often juggle multiple priorities, these skills make all the difference. Strong emotional intelligence leads to stronger collaboration, clearer communication, and ultimately, better project outcomes.
Now that you’re aware of emotional intelligence, here are a few soft skills that complement it, providing further clarity and structure across the project cycle:
Soft skills like these may seem small, but in practice, they can determine how projects feel, and how successful they become.
To conclude, projects don’t succeed because of perfectly polished timelines or automated tools. They succeed because of the people involved — from project managers and internal teams to contractors, stakeholders, and clients.
Soft skills and emotional intelligence aren’t just extras; they are the foundation of clear communication, resilient teams, and smoother project delivery.
That’s the core of what we do at Tell ’em Mo: combining both skill sets to deliver people-first project management that creates clarity and structure, so businesses, creatives, and founders can thrive and hit their goals.
Need help with an upcoming project this Autumn/Winter? Let’s have a chat about what you need and how we can support you.
Bristol-based Burleigh Design, founded in 1895, set for a brand new era as directors eye growth following changes at the top of this 130-year-old firm
A new leadership team has taken charge at Bristol’s oldest commercial graphic design agency.
The Bristol-based Burleigh Design agency is set for a new era following co-owner Greg Corrigan’s retirement with Jonathon Galvin-Wright joining forces with co-owner director Fraser Ebbs at the helm.
They have pledged to take the Leigh Court Business Centre-headquartered business forward by building on Burleigh Design’s rich heritage which stretches back to 1895 when it was first established as a family firm of designers and printers based in Park Row.
Corrigan’s move away from the business signals a new beginning for Burleigh Design because he had been a fifth-generation member of the same family to have formed part of the senior team.
That tradition is now set to change as a new management team take the reins with Galvin-Wright coming into the business as a director alongside Ebbs who has led Burleigh Design since 2012 when it merged with his Portishead Press enterprise.
Galvin-Wright said: “I’m proud to have joined Fraser in a leadership role as a director of Burleigh Design which is one of those brilliant, historic businesses which make the Bristol business community so special.
“Burleigh Design’s status as the oldest design agency in town and to have been continuously serving local businesses since 1895, says a lot about the way we like to do business which is based on trust and great relationships.
“Burleigh Design has the richest of histories so there’s a lot to live up to but I’m relishing my new role and really looking forward to working with Fraser to make sure the business keeps going from strength to strength.”
The new management team have promised to stick to the principles that have ensured Burleigh Design has stood test of time.
“In a way we’re going back to the future because we will follow the traditions that have ensured Burleigh Design has thrived over the years.” Ebbs added.
“Everything we do will continue to be based around clients, evolving our own design services around their business needs, and our business-led design philosophy will ensure our design is both commercially fit for purpose and benefits the bottom line.”
The two Burleigh Design Directors have recently conducted a re-brand and are now set to extend the scope of its work.
Galvin-Wright says, “We like to see ourselves as a bunch of ‘business creatives’ and our senior and experienced team will always look at brand and design challenges from a business perspective first and foremost.
“We have earned a stellar reputation for our ability to fulfil hard-working design needs across brand, graphic design, content and marketing activation in industrial, commercial, corporate and manufacturing markets and that won’t change, although we have also always worked within the charity and edication sectors too.”
Bidding farewell to the company, Corrigan said: “Burleigh Design could not be in better hands and both Fraser and Jonnie’s expertise and experience will make sure the business prospers so these are exciting times which will be full of new opportunities.
“Burleigh Design has a proud place in the South West business community which is a real hotbed of entrepreneurial talent and I’m looking forward to watching from afar in retirement as the new era takes shape and Burleigh grows.”
Burleigh Design clients include air conditioning manufacturers Daikin, engineering conglomerate Avon Group, Smith Brothers Stores – the largest air-conditioning merchants in the country – as well as charities and professional services companies including Penny Brohn and Cushman & Wakefield.
For further information visit the Burleigh Design website: https://burleighcreate.co.uk
EDIT: Tickets flew out in just a few hours, email [email protected] to put your name on the waiting list.
We’re so excited to be back at Brunswick Sq on 25th September for the next instalment of Gather Round Presents. Our free event series aimed at giving something back to the amazing community of creatives that we’re so lucky to be a part of in the South West. We’ll have delicious free pizza from Pizzucci, a fully stocked bar plus some other freebies to give away on the night.
This time around we’ll be looking at all of the incredible benefits nature gives us, creatively, physically, mentally. Creative By Nature will bring you insights from a curated panel of experts across the nature and wellbeing space. You know we like to keep things honest & low key, so expect some free-flowing conversations and gems of advice to help you feel more connected. As always there’ll be plenty of time to meet and chat with other like-minded creatives! So, who’s on the panel…
Based in the Lake District, Jeffrey is a Brand & Creative Director and is an active participant in shaping outdoor culture today, authoring the industry defining books The Outsiders (2015) and The New Outsiders (2019) – his career has been shaped by his love of nature and spending time outside.
With over a decade of experience working in-house as CD at Millican backpacks, to more recently setting up his own studio in 2022 – working with brands like Bergahus, Osprey and Atom Packs. With a deep understanding of brand culture, outdoor and lifestyle consumers and creative storytelling, Jeffrey has collaborated with brands who want to change the world. His mission is to encourage others to spend more time outside so that we form a deeper connection to the world around us and the place we call home.
Leanne’s relationship with nature has always been special, bringing peace, connection and joy to her life. During lock down whilst struggling with her own mental health, nature helped Leanne reconnect with herself. As a therapist, she naturally wanted to share the benefits she found during this time, with others. Knowing the huge lack of representation and barriers to nature-based support, she launched Soul Trail Wellbeing CIC – a non profit organisation aimed at improving nature connection, health and helping to make the outdoors more inclusive by offering hikes, therapeutic nature programmes and workshops. Soul Trail Wellbeing is part of the Green Social Prescribing scheme; supporting people to engage in nature-based activities to improve their mental health, physical wellbeing and reducing loneliness.
Mose-Issie is a social entrepreneur, coach and community leader passionate about providing spaces for people to develop, heal and thrive. As Co-Founder of Sunflower Collective C.I.C, a community organisation that helps young people and families thrive in nature, her work focuses on creating safe nourishing and culturally relevant spaces at the intersection of community empowerment, education and social justice. Mo’s work also expands into workshops, mentorships programmes and support for initiatives that centre the lived experiences of young Black African and Caribbean communities in Bristol and beyond.
Nature has always been a stabilising influence in Mo’s life. A place for healing, introspection and rejuvenation. She sees it as a teacher and a mirror, reminding us of the beauty of growth, rest and transition. Sunflower Collective uses outdoor spaces to foster play, creativity, wellbeing and cultural pride, whether through gardening, storytelling or just being together under the open sky.
Maria Fernandez Garcia is an outdoor educator, student medical herbalist and nature lover. As the founder of Healing Weeds, she is dedicated to reviving traditional knowledge of wild foods and medicinal plants through learning their cultural history and spending time together outside. Although Maria’s connection to nature wasn’t always strong, over the last 10 years it has grown significantly and she now regularly finds moments of peace and stillness when outside. Being able to share different avenues with people, allowing them to experience peace and joy in nature, is something Maria holds close, in particular sharing her knowledge about wild plants.
Over the past 12 years, Charlotte’s education and career has blended psychology, behavioural science and sustainability. She’s worked with global retailers such as Boots and ASOS, impact-led creative agencies, and pioneering founders to shift the way we feel about sustainability and embed best practices across the workforce. Charlotte moved back to the UK after living in a forest protection site in south-east Kenya for three and a half years. It was this sudden disconnection from nature and the impact it had on her mental health that sparked the idea for Nula as it is today.
Charlotte didn’t grow up especially connected to nature. It just wasn’t part of daily life in London. But living in a forest reserve, and later walking the Camino after burning out, completely shifted things. Nature’s become not only something she likes, it’s become something she needs which is at the heart of what she’s building with Nula.
Natasha is a creative facilitator and producer, working on programmes and projects that empower marginalised communities through playful participatory theatre and multidisciplinary practices. Natasha is currently part of the national engagement team at WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, and is also producing a disability-led community engagement programme for The Egg theatre in Bath, inspired by the book – The Secret Garden.
Natasha finds peace, healing and new perspectives in wild nature, and moved from London to Bristol two years ago to be closer to green and blue spaces and more easily find wide skies. She is deeply interested in how nature connection can inspire feelings of freedom, playfulness and empowerment, and is starting to explore this in her creative practice.
Natasha will be running a group version of The Artists Way by Julia Cameron from Wednesday 14th January at Brunswick Square, and will be bringing a nature-based twist to the course. If you’d like to know more about the course, sign up to our newsletter for updates!
Over the past decade, Bonnie has worked with multiple B Corps, exploring how businesses across adventure, travel, and retail are driving positive impact. This experience has fueled her passion for storytelling, bringing sustainability to life and growing communities both online and in-person.
Bonnie is now the Marketing Manager (and Nature Champion) at Enviral, a creative agency on a mission to stop global yawning. Bonnie believes creativity and stories have the power to connect people to the climate crisis in a way that sparks action. Purpose and impact are at the heart of everything she does, and she’s dedicated to using storytelling to inspire change.
Bonnie grew up on the wild Welsh coastline, where her family ran an adventure business guiding people through Pembrokeshire National Park’s caves and hidden corners. Her twenties were spent chasing waves across Costa Rica, Indonesia, and beyond. These experiences deepened her love for the natural world and exposed her to both its awe-inspiring beauty and fragility. Bonnie believes that fostering pathways to nature connection is a powerful tool for change. When people feel truly connected to the natural world, they’re inspired to protect it.
We can’t wait to hear from this mega panel in a few weeks time. If you want to be a part of the magic, get your ticket here!
If you’re interested in hiring one of our spaces for an event of your own, get in touch with our Events Manager, Hannah over on [email protected]. Check out a few pictures from our previous events below!
The total number of jobs in the UK’s creative industries fell in 2024 compared to the year before, new government figures has revealed.
Employment data from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) showed there were 2,409,000 creative sector jobs in the year to December 2024, down from 2,419,000 in 2023. In the 11 years prior to 2023, the sector saw successive annual job increases.
The decline in 2024 was driven by a fall in employed roles which fell to 1,713,000, down from 1,744,000 in 2023. In contrast, the number of roles for self-employed individuals and freelancers increased last year to 696,000, up from 675,000 the year before.
Within sub-sectors of the creative industries, music, performing, and visual arts experienced growth, with the total number of jobs increasing from 288,000 in 2023 to 312,000 in 2024.
The avertising and marketing sub-sector also saw a growth in total jobs, rising to 262,000 from 253,000 in 2023. Freelancers in that sector also rose, from 55,000 to 61,000.
Jobs in the film, TV and music sector increased from 208,000 in 2023 t0 214,000 in 2024, although freelancer roles fell from 80,000 to 75,000.
Publishing saw a sharp decline with total jobs falling to 166,000 in 2024, from 217,000 in 2023.
In the cultural sector, total jobs increased 666,000 from 700,000, although self-employed roles fell from 330,000 to 319,000.
Demographic data for the creative industries showed 17% jobs were disabled people, and 37.4% were female workers at 37.4%.
Ethnicity figures showed 82.7% of jobs were held by people from the white ethnic group, 9.9% from the Asian or Asian British ethnic group, 2.8% from the black, African, Caribbean or black British ethnic group, 2.3% from the mixed or multiple ethnic group and 2.3% from other ethnic groups.
In the cultural sector, the following applied:
Of the 2,409,000 jobs in the creative industries, 7.3% (178,000) were located in the South West. This is an increase on the 169,000 south west jobs in 2023.
London still dominates the sector though, with the capital home to 30.4% of creative industries jobs. The second biggest region was the South East with 16.4%.
See the full creative industries employment data here.
Freelancers have long been a significant proportion of the creative and cultural sectors, representing around a third of all workers and more than double that in the overall economy.
In the creative industries sector plan released in June, the government committed to appointing a “freelancer champion” to advocate for freelancers.
Earlier this month, Creative UK published a paper outlining a vision for the freelancer champion role.
The key ask was the launch of formal and structured inquiries into the major systemic barriers freelancers face, such as unfair pay, lack of employment protection and late payment. It also called for:
The creative industries are facing a rapidly shifting employment landscape driven by technological innovation and evolving generational expectations. Businesses that adapt to these changes will thrive; those that don’t risk falling behind.
At an event in the Bristol office of Bristol Creative Industries member RWK Goodman on 11 September, Alice Macleod, a specialist in human behaviour and social science, will deliver a dynamic and thought-provoking session on how shifting societal norms and AI are remoulding work environments and workflows.
Tailored specifically for professionals across creative disciplines, this session will unpack the latest workplace trends, explore how AI is reshaping roles and processes and offer concrete strategies to stay ahead.
You’ll also hear from Marissa Lewis-Peart, BCI board member and senior UX designer at Tesco, and Katie Green from Western Training Provider Network (WTPN) in an exciting fireside chat, where we will be exploring driving ambition and progression, from an employee and national business perspective.
Register for the event here.
Webinar: How to make better career decisions
Landscape for freelancers in 2025
Bristol Creative Industries jobs board
Post a job on the Bristol Creative Industries jobs board
Happy World Entrepreneurs’ Day!
The UK has experienced profound economic change over recent years which has brought challenges and new opportunities to the creative sector. As a result, many individuals have set out on the freelance and small business path for the first time.
Reasons include redundancies following the pandemic, new working relationships with employers through increased remote working and a desire to achieve a better work/life balance.
Whatever the reason to go it alone, Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) is here to give freelancers, startups and small business owners the perfect platform to share skills and build connections.
There are many benefits of a Bristol Creative Industries individual and freelancers membership. See what some members have to say below.
To meet fellow freelancers and companies that employ them, join our freelancer networking drinks on 9 September at the Square Club in Bristol. It’s free including a complimentary drink if you’re a member.
Heather Wright, co-chair of Bristol Creative Industries, said:
“The trend in the creative sector is to have small and agile agencies relying on a bank of specialist freelance talent. We have seen the freelance sector grow year on year in the last decade.
“The benefits are that, here in Bristol, we have a huge pool of freelancers covering a spectrum of creative disciplines, from coding, filmmaking, music composition, animation, illustration, copywriting to recording and directing podcasts, to name just a few. Name a niche creative service you need for your business and, chances are, there will be someone to help right here on your doorstep.
“And these freelancers and startups are key to Bristol’s vibrant creative community; it means small businesses can use a wide range of professional creative talent. Freelancers are providing the resource of a conglomerate for the SME and Bristol Creative Industries can really help with these connections.
“All individual, freelance and startup members get a profile in our online member directory where you can showcase your work. Freelancers can also take advantage of discounted tickets to BCI events, plus the opportunity to self-publish content on our newsfeed. And don’t forget the membership perks, including restaurant offers and money off business support. The real value however is in the business connections you can make.
“But don’t take my word for it, here are a few comments from our members on their experiences.”
“I’ve been a member of Bristol Creative Industries for a good number of years now. I joined mainly to be included in the directory, for which I think the cost as an individual is very affordable. It makes absolute sense to be listed in a directory where clients search for creatives, outside of their own sector or network.
“In terms of other benefits of membership, I have attended various events and they have been very good. These include evening drinks meet-ups and the members’ lunch.
“I’d say that as a creative freelancer in any field, joining BCI is a great thing to do if you have the chance. Additionally, the team at BCI have always been very friendly and supportive!”
“When I worked in an agency, we used the BCI member directory to find the best regional talent. I always felt that I could trust the freelancers we found there – they had an added credibility, took their specialism seriously, and added value to projects. So when I started out as a freelance copywriter I knew I had to be listed as a member myself!
“The events are also really insightful and enjoyable – members’ lunch, sketchnoting workshop, and the ‘simple tips, smart ideas’ talk with Erica Wolfe-Murray to name a few. Plus, still to this day it’s a lovely feeling to receive an email that starts with: ‘Hi Lara, I found your details via Bristol Creative Industries and…’.
“What would I say to freelancers thinking of joining BCI? To quote one of my favourite taglines: Just do it.”
“I joined Bristol Creative Industries many years ago looking for a list of potential new clients. In my first year I got two new clients, one a national charity. Every year I regularly get new jobs via the website and these mostly turn into long term relationships. I now work with many of the major agencies in Bristol who are also members and actively involved with BCI. The work I generate covers my BCI freelance membership costs so joining was a no-brainer.”
“I initially joined Bristol Creative Industries as a way to network and get to know other creatives in the Bristol area. Regular members’ lunches allow members to meet, providing a friendly, informal opportunity to connect. The team running BCI are passionate about helping to support the creative community; always friendly, and they have been a great help in connecting my business with potential creative partners and business contacts.
“I believe just being part of BCI has provided my animation studio with additional credibility.
“Overall, Bristol Creative Industries is extremely well run, positive and a joy to be a part of; the membership offers amazing value for money.”
“Within two weeks of signing up I had my first enquiry from a new client”
“I regularly get contacted by new clients thanks to my listing in BCI’s member directory. Freelance membership is great value for money!”
If you’re a freelancer or startup business owner and want to raise your profile to get the work you want, find out more about a individual and freelancers membership to Bristol Creative Industries
You have the option of paying a one-off annual fee of £45+VAT or a rolling subscription of £4.50+VAT per month. What are you waiting for? Sign up today and be a real part of Bristol’s creative network.
To meet fellow freelancers and companies that employ them, join our freelancer networking drinks on 9 September at the Square Club in Bristol. It’s free including a complimentary drink if you’re a member.
A groundbreaking new festival is set to transform Bristol into an international beacon for technology, creativity and culture this October.
Taking place from from 6-11 October 2025 in and around Bristol’s Old City, BTF+ will offer an accessible and impactful experience for founders, technologists, creatives, investors and culture-makers.
The festival, curated by techSPARK in collaboration with Bristol Creative Industries and MyWorld plus headline partner Ghyston, will feature bold keynotes and panels alongside breakthrough tech demonstrations in several venues. They range from the prestigious Bristol Beacon and Bristol Old Vic to more intimate locations.
Attendees will experience cutting-edge tech showcases, immersive performances, live music and future-facing learning opportunities. Businesses involved will be able to speak, raise their profile and connect with potential partners and investors.
Inspired by legendary festivals like South by Southwest in Austin, BTF+, an evolution of the much-loved Bristol Technology Festival, is designed for start-ups, scale-ups, creators, storytellers, founders, technologists and anyone with curiosity about what’s next.
Whether attendees work in film or fintech, programming or performance, strategy or software, the festival provides a platform to grow businesses, launch ideas, discover emerging trends and help shape the future of their industries.
All profits from the festival will be reinvested into supporting local talent, start-ups and communities. It has been created with inclusivity and accessibility at its heart, through low-cost tickets and many free events to ensure broad participation reflecting Bristol’s spirit.
BTF+ is being brought to the South West with the intention of further cementing the region’s reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative not just in the UK, but in Europe. The event will look to drive growth, investment, and job creation across the region, emulating the impact seen from SXSW in Austin, Texas.
The compact city setting allows people and ideas to move freely, encouraging discovery and purposeful connections. Days will feature talks and workshops from regional talent across tech, creativity and culture, alongside national-level speakers sharing inspiration and insights. As evening falls, music and networking events will provide opportunities for attendees to connect, share experiences and celebrate together.
Confirmed speakers so far include:
Ben Shorrock, co-founder of BTF+, said:
“BTF+ represents an exciting evolution for Bristol’s tech and creative communities. This festival embodies everything that makes our city and wider region special – the collision of technology, creativity and culture in a place that excels at all three.
“The event will be a platform where breakthrough innovations meet artistic expression, where established corporations can connect with emerging talent, and where the brightest minds come together to build the future.”
For our involvement in BTF+, we’ll be running an exciting two days of events on 7 and 8 October, with some high profile and inspiring speakers from across the creative industries. Look out for announcements over the coming weeks.
Early bird tickets for the BFT+ Summit which takes place on 6-10 October, and tickets to free events during the festival are available now. Find out more here.
Delivering a project on time can be a rewarding experience but often than not, it can be very stressful if deadlines are missed or delays occur. Fortunately, with the right project planning and management tools available, you can get your projects over the line without the late nights and last-minute panics.
Here are five easy ways to help ensure clarity, structure and support to your projects:
Before you start your project, define exactly the ins (and outs) of your project scope, including any deliverables that need to be included and a timeline indicating when each deliverable or phase will be completed. This helps to ensure and avoid any “additional requests” that could eat into your delivery time.
A clear project scope provides clear focus which leads to on-time project completion.
A larger-scoped project lasting 10-12 weeks for example can feel overwhelming if you only see the finish line. Break down your project plan into smaller milestones and deadlines so your team is aware and knows what’s coming next and that progress throughout the project cycle feels tangible.
Whether it’s an in-person catch-up at the start or end of the week, a shared project tracker, or a quick Teams call; consistent updates throughout your project, especially with multiple stakeholders involved will keep everyone aligned and prevent last-minute surprises. No news is not good news in project management!
There are multiple project management tools that are easily accessible at little to no cost. The likes of Trello, Jira, and Notion are great for tracking your progress with very simple features to keep your tasks, files, timelines and feedback all in one place. A clear view of what’s completed, what’s outstanding and identifying blockers means you can act before things slip behind or delay your project’s delivery time.
Things will change during the project cycle, that is inevitable. Whether that’s receiving feedback later than planned, various teams being away on annual leave or sudden shifts in resource planning. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and factor in extra buffer time during key stages of your project to allow for such circumstances when they occur.
By doing this, even with the hiccups, your project will cross the finish line on-time and within schedule.Delivering a project on time is more than just ticking boxes, it’s about building trust, providing direction and letting your best work shine.
Need help getting your projects over the line? Let’s have a chat and we can talk through what you need and how we can support you.
We also have Tell ‘em Fridays, our free 30-min project check-ins every Friday to help identify any blockers, prioritise next steps or just get a fresh pair of eyes on any projects you may be working on at the moment. Limited to just four slots so secure your spot.
While many agencies have well-established contracts with clients, it’s surprising how often subcontractor arrangements are left vague or informal. In some cases, contractors are expected to provide their own terms, or agencies proceed without clear documentation.
To ensure smoother operations and mitigate risk, it’s advisable to formalise all subcontractor engagements with a clear, written agreement, particularly around insurance requirements. But what type of insurance should contractors hold? How much coverage is appropriate? And does it need to reflect your client contracts?
The type of insurance stated within a terms of engagement varies and is dictated by the activities an agency undertakes. Common policies relate to:
Any contractor offering services for a fee should have Professional Indemnity cover and if they’re delivering a physical product, they’ll need Public Liability too. It’s also wise for them to have this cover if they attend in-person meetings with your agency, in case they accidentally damage something or hurt someone whilst meeting.
As for Cyber & Data liability, it’s increasingly common for this to be at the forefront of contracts. Any freelancer who delivers a product that’s digitally driven, or involves the use of personal data, should have this in place.
Some agency insurance policies require that all subcontractors meet specific insurance thresholds. If this applies to you, those obligations must be mirrored in your subcontractor agreements, usually by stating a minimum indemnity level.
However, such clauses can be difficult to enforce across all third-party partners, especially when terms change. Agencies may want to consider negotiating these requirements with their own insurer, where appropriate.
A client might insist your agency carries a £5 million Professional Indemnity policy, but that doesn’t mean your subcontractors should carry the same. For tasks involving low-value deliverables such as content editing, or design tweaks, requiring such high limits is often disproportionate and may deter contractors due to high premiums.
A more balanced starting point suggestion would be £1 million in cover for lower-risk contributions, with increased requirements only when justified by the scope or nature of the project.
In some cases, client contracts stipulate that subcontractors must match the insurance limits held by the agency. Failing to comply could result in a contractual breach, so it’s vital to review any such requirements during contract negotiations with clients.
Try to consider how these stipulations will impact your ability to work with preferred subcontractors, particularly if they’re independent or freelance professionals.
Contracts often include unique terms, such as requiring a contractor to maintain insurance for several years after the project ends (commonly up to six years). These details should always be flagged to subcontractors to avoid future complications.
When working with subcontractors, the key is to clearly define their role and tailor your terms accordingly. Ensuring your agreements are fair, well-documented and aligned with your own policies and those of your clients can save time, money and legal headaches down the line.
If you want to check you’ve got the right insurance in place for your agency, or you’re looking to take out a new policy, RiskBox can help. Speak to a member of our team today on 0161 533 0411, or fill in our online contact form.
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