As proud members of Bristol Creative Industries, Bristol24/7 would like to extend an invite to fellow BCI members to their upcoming Bristol Legends event at Ashton Gate on 6th March. This is a new initiative to celebrate the city and raise vital funds for independent journalism, social impact projects as well as for AntiBanquet and the work they do to tackle food insecurity in the city.
Bristol Legends will be an incredible celebration of Bristol’s culture, creativity, innovation, positivity and its many incredible communities. It will feature a three-course dinner from Josh Eggleton, the AntiBanquet team and other top Bristol chefs; a very special award show hosted by Jayde Adams; some amazing Bristol performers; and quite a few surprises along the way. The room will be full of 750 people from Bristol businesses and beyond, including some of the city’s leaders in culture, innovation, sustainability, community and beyond.
Bristol24/7 are now looking to engage individuals and businesses who are in a position to take tickets or a table at the event or to donate tickets or table to those who can’t afford to attend. We’re delighted to be able to offer a discount on full tables for BCI members. Please get in touch will [email protected] if you’d be interested in joining us. In the true spirit of collaboration, members may like to come together and purchase a combined BCI table or two…
The awards show will be followed by a party in a transformed concourse which will include some truly legendary Bristol bands and djs, a full spectacular show from the Invisible Circus set to a live musical score, holograms of local heroes of the past and a very special guest. Separate tickets for the Bristol Legends Party can be purchased here.
A legendary evening awaits…
Introducing Gather Round’s New Year Offer*
Are you a freelancer working from home craving some connection? Or are you a small creative business already at a co-working space but in need of a change? Become a member at Gather Round in Bristol or Bath before Feb 28th and you’ll get 30% off your membership for 3 x months. Interested? Get in touch with one of our community managers to book a tour.
More than a co-working space, Gather Round is a thriving creative community. Our members are frequent collaborators – it’s what happens when you bring people in the same industry together. Creativity at Gather Round takes many forms, from designers, copywriters, and illustrators to developers, tech innovators, and even a cartographer. Together, they inspire, challenge, and support each other, making every day at Gather Round a spark for new ideas. It’s a place where connections turn into projects, and ideas turn into reality.
*Offer available until 28th February 2026.
‘We want you to see firsthand the positive impact a creative community can have, not just professionally but beyond work too.’
Jason Smith
Gather Round Co-Founder
Packed member events calendar
We’ll be continuing our monthly member events into 2026, including family breakfasts, campfire talks, group coaching, and yoga. This month, we’re also launching two new members only events: Community Sessions and Member Mics!
Community Sessions are relaxed, monthly get-togethers with other members in your space. Think drink-and-draws, board games, picnics, or maybe a trip to the pub. It’s a chance to get to know your fellow members and connect over some snacks and a few drinks (if you fancy). This month to kick it off we’re taking all our members to the pub, first round is on us!
Next week, we’ll be hosting our first ‘Member Mic’ event. Member Mic gives our members the chance to share what they’re working on with fellow creatives – showcasing wins, getting feedback on tricky projects, or help others with theirs in a relaxed, supportive session. It’s in moments like these when collaborations are born.
Our buzzing events are free for all members, included in all membership packages. Alongside the extra-curricular fun, members also enjoy a wide range of discounts with local independent partners such as Pizzucci, Bosco, Soul Spa, and British Blankets. It’s just one more way Gather Round sets itself apart from other coworking spaces.
Whether you’re a freelancer or a small creative business looking for an inspiring place to work, we offer a range of membership packages – including part-time and full-time options, fixed desks, and private studios. Get in touch with our community managers to book a tour. We’d love to meet you.
Terms and conditions apply to the 30% offer, see full details on this page.
- This offer is for new membership sign-ups and applicable on the following membership packages across all locations: Part-time Flexi, Full-time Flexi, Flexi Plus, and Resident. The offer does not apply to Virtual and Virtual Plus memberships.
- New Part-time Flexi, Full-time Flexi, Flexi Plus and Resident members need to sign up for a 3 month minimum term and they’ll receive 30% off their first 3 months. After the first three months, the contract will switch to a standard 30 day rolling contract at full price.
- For members starting mid-month, the first invoice will be charged pro-rata.
- Contracts have to be signed between the 10th January to 28th February 2026 and start dates specified between 12th January and 31st March accordingly.
- The offer is issued only once the contract is signed and deposit received.
- Flexi Plus and Resident members only: includes 4 x hours of free access to our Production Spaces each month as part of the offer. Please note that our production spaces are located in Brunswick Square, Bristol only. Bookings need to be made in advance via our Events Manager.
- This offer cannot be used retrospectively. The dates specified above apply.
- Gather Round Limited reserves the right to revoke the offer and/or to update the terms and conditions at any time. Final qualification for the offer is at the Community Manager’s discretion.
- This offer cannot be applied to previous memberships or contracts, is non-transferrable, has no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other offer.
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 2025 including some brilliant business advice.
Here are the 30 most popular advice posts of the year. The list includes some posts from previous years that have continued to attract views thanks to their great tips.
Keep up to date with members’ advice throughout 2026 via our newsfeed.
Want to publish business advice on our website and make it into the top 30 most popular content in 2026? Become a member of Bristol Creative Industries.
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1. The best marketing campaigns of 2025
Posted by Carnsight Communications
Click below or read the article here.
The Best Marketing Campaigns of 2025 (So far)
2. 6 brand strategy models for focus and structure
Posted by Halo
Click below or read the article here.
6 Brand Strategy Models For Focus And Structure
3. Current landscape for freelancers (2023 edition)
Posted by Moxie and Mettle
Click below or read the article here.
Current Landscape for Freelancers (2023 edition)
4. Mastering the art of pop-up experiences: A guide for experiential designers
Posted by Imagineerium
Click below or read the article here.
Mastering the Art of Pop-Up Experiences: A Guide for Experiential Designers
5. Revolutionising creativity: How artificial intelligence is empowering creatives
Posted by Bill Mansfield
Click below or read the article here.
Revolutionising Creativity: How Artificial Intelligence is Empowering Creatives
6. Is AI crawling your website? How to check and why it matters
Posted by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
Is AI Crawling Your Website? How to Check and Why It Matters
7. Transferable skills in the creative sector
Posted by Moxie and Mettle
Click below or read the article here.
Transferable skills in the creative sector
8. How to measure SEO success: 7 key metrics
Written by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
How to Measure SEO Success: 7 Key Metrics
9. Landscape for freelancers in 2025
Posted by Moxie and Mettle
Click below or read the article here.
Landscape for freelancers in 2025
10. The top transferable skills in TV production
Posted by Carnsight Communications
Click below or read the article here.
The top transferable skills in TV production
11. Reflective goal setting for 2025: A guide to personal and business growth
Posted by Growth Space
Click below or read the article here.
Reflective Goal Setting for 2025: A Guide to Personal and Business Growth
12. The best organisational structure for your agency
Posted by Janusz Stabik
Click below or read the article here.
The Best Organisational Structure For Your Agency
13. Who hires a copywriter and why?
Posted by Blog Write Ltd
Click below or read the article here.
Who hires a copywriter and why?
14. Google’s AI Mode: What is it and how will it impact search?
Posted by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
Is AI Crawling Your Website? How to Check and Why It Matters
15. A no-brainer for members, how salary sacrifice benefits can help mitigate imminent rise in National Insurance costs
Posted by Un:Fade Employee Benefits Consulting
Click below or read the article here.
A no-brainer for Members, how salary sacrifice benefits can help mitigate imminent rise in National Insurance costs
16. What the new HFSS ad rules mean for hospitality (and why you shouldn’t panic!)
Posted by Duchess Media
Click below or read the article here.
What the new HFSS ad rules mean for Hospitality (and why you shouldn’t panic!)
17. Why TikTok has to be part of your content strategy
Posted by Ambitious
Click below or read the article here.
Why TikTok has to be part of your content strategy
18. TikTok: The new search engine tool for Gen Z?
Posted by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
TikTok: The New Search Engine Tool for Gen Z?
19. Why schema markup is important for AI search and how to do it
Posted by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
Why schema markup is important for AI search and how to do it
20. DEI – a quick-sprint guide to inclusive brand language
Posted by SIM7
Click below or read the article here.
DEI – a quick-sprint guide to inclusive brand language
21. Everything you need to know about paywalls
Posted by Carnsight Communications
Click below or read the article here.
Everything you need to know about paywalls
22. How To write and review EEAT SEO content in 2024
Posted by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
How To Write and Review EEAT SEO Content in 2024
23. Social proof: the psychology behind marketing
Posted by Proctor + Stevenson
Click below or read the article here.
Social Proof: the psychology behind marketing
24. PR touchpoints: what are they and why are they important?
Posted by Carnsight Communications
Click below or read the article here.
PR touchpoints: what are they and why are they important?
25. SEMRush vs Google Search Console: How accurate is SEMRush Organic Data?
Posted by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
SEMRush vs Google Search Console: How Accurate is SEMRush Organic Data?
26. How video gamers bring unique, transferable skills to the workplace
Posted by Weston College
Click below or read the article here.
How Video Gamers Bring Unique, Transferable Skills to the Workplace
27. Building creative resilience: real talk & advice from some of the South West’s most experienced creative minds
Posted by Gather Round
Click below or read the article here.
Building Creative Resilience: real talk & advice from some of the South West’s most experienced creative minds
28. Five easy ways to finish your projects on time
Posted by Tell ’em Mo
Click below or read the article here.
Five Easy Ways To Finish Your Projects On Time
29. Help your team manage stress and build resilience: 10 tips for leaders
Posted by Growth Space
Click below or read the article here.
Help Your Team Manage Stress and Build Resilience: 10 Tips for Leaders
30. Hit refresh on your marketing copywriting with a new angle
Posted by Blog Write Ltd
Click below or read the article here.
Hit refresh on your marketing copywriting with a new angle
Want to publish business advice on our website and make it into the top 30 most popular content in 2026? Become a member of Bristol Creative Industries.
It has been a tough year for creative businesses, but Bristol Creative Industries members have achieved many great things in 2025. We wanted to celebrate those achievements and asked the community to tell us what they’ve got up up in the last 12 months plus their plans for 2026. We had a fantastic response from 39 members!
Read what they shared below. Click on the links to find out more about the businesses on their BCI profiles.
Keep up to date with members’ news and successes throughout 2026 via our newsfeed. Not a member and want to share your news on the website? Join today.
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Kate Harris, NABS:
NABS’ biggest achievement in 2025 was launching the Yay List, this year’s industry list to be on.
The Yay List, in partnership with Campaign, celebrates the fantastic donors who power NABS’s purpose: to advance the mental wellness of everybody working in adland. This is the first year that we’ve run the Yay List, and our donors joined in enthusiastically, helping us to create a list that has the feelgood factor with a serious message behind it. NABS is funded entirely by the industry alone, and we cannot exist without your support.
Our key ambition for next year is to help even more people, thousands of adlanders come to us each year, by working with the industry to raise funds and awareness of our vital cause.
NABS, Stranger Than Summer, The HAC, London, 5 Jun 2025, Photographer: Bronac McNeill
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Russell Jones, JonesMillbank and Nine Tree Studios:
At the start of 2025 we hosted over 150 screen professionals at Nine Tree Studios – supported by Bristol Creative Industries and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority – eager and trepid to find out what the year had in store.
And that trepidation was founded; it’s been incredibly challenging for everyone.
But we’ve also seen many of those same faces come through our doors, working on everything from TV commercials to podcasts, showcasing the talent that Bristol has to offer.
We’ve hosted and worked on productions for Dyson, ITV, Bolney Wine, Heineken, Uniqlo, MGM and Hasbro amongst many other clients, partners and friends.
Our studio’s birthday party in July saw many of these come together to chew the fat and celebrate.
And so what does 2026 hold?
Probably the same uncertainty, scope creeps, strained budgets and stretched pipelines.
But with it? Also the same creativity, collaboration, resilience and downright graft that’s seen us through 2025, I’m sure.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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David Darke, Atomic Smash:
In 2025, Atomic Smash celebrated its 15th birthday, a huge milestone that gave us space to reflect on how far we’ve come from a 2 person studio to a specialist WordPress team partnering long term with ambitious organisations. Our biggest achievement this year has been deepening those partnerships: helping clients continuously improve their digital products rather than treating websites as one-off projects.
In 2026, our ambition is to push that even further, investing more in wider performance services, growing our team, and measuring our impact not just in launches, but in the real-world results our clients see over time.
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Sarah Dennis, Aer Studios:
This year has been a huge year for Aer Studios, with plenty of exciting developments. As a company we have both grown and grown up, with a newly appointed leadership team driving the future direction of the business. We’ve branched into new sectors, launched the first Aer Venture Studios product and broadened our consultancy credentials with existing and new clients.
A highlight of 2025 was being a key sponsor of the inaugural BTF+ in October, where we continued our partnership with Bristol Creative Industries and TechSpark. Our collaboration at the event with Bristol-based Condense Reality and MyWorld saw the launch of a world-first proof of concept in the form of Pocket Talks, an augmented reality experience that streams live immersive 3D keynotes to your phone.
Next year we want to continue on our mission to deliver positive impact for people and planet through digital experiences. We’re hoping to partner with even more high impact organisations and to collaborate and connect with more people in the creative and tech ecosystem.
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Ben Henry, Novera Coaching:
2025 has been a breakthrough year with the launch of Novera Coaching. After fifteen years in education, stepping into Bristol’s creative community has been so energising, and the perfect place to grow a people-focused coaching practice. Novera now supports entrepreneurs, creatives and career-changers to find clarity, confidence and direction in their next steps.
Joining the Bristol Creative Industries network has been a real highlight. The openness, support and conversations I’ve had this year have shaped Novera more than I expected.
In 2026 I simply aim to deepen these relationships, support more clients through one-to-one coaching and workshops, and contribute to the community where possible. I’m excited to see what we can build together next year!
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Sarah Woodhouse, AMBITIOUS:
Over a year of hard work and dedication earned us our B Corp accreditation in November 2025. This was a defining moment that reflects our commitment to balancing people, planet and profit.
We promoted Laura Lear to Managing Director at a time when we are increasing our leadership in AI and rolled out an ongoing AI training and development programme that equips our team with future-ready skills.
We doubled down on strategic creativity, keeping a laser focus on what our clients need for impact. A core service offering was cemented in 2025 with our content and production team delivering 288 videos as part of strategic campaigns.
The areas we’ve succeeded continue to be our focus for 2026, and we’re launching a client-facing AI visibility service and continuing our investment in ethical AI adoption.
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Sarah Morris, Immersive Ideas:
This year has been a proud one for Immersive Ideas. We celebrated our first birthday which still feels a bit mad, and our first international project went live, a family attraction in Dublin called Dream Point, it has since picked up several awards and brought new clients our way which has been a really encouraging end to the year and shows that we are creating brilliant live experiences – which is the goal.
In 2026, I want to focus on steady, sustainable growth, developing new arms of the business, building stronger partnerships with South West creatives, and expanding the internal team; exciting times ahead!
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Mustafa Mirreh, Tell ’em Mo:
2025 was a big shift both personally and mentally, which led me to finally make the push into the freelance world. I launched Tell ’em Mo in the summer, built a full-service offering from scratch, and through consistent outreach, networking and positioning, I’ve secured a handful of clients with a growing pipeline heading into 2026.
My biggest wins have been setting up AI-driven systems to improve project delivery, bringing creative value to small businesses and founders, and sharing my wider knowledge and insights with the creative community in the South West.
I’ve laid the foundations and I hope 2026, with a full year of being self-employed, brings more momentum, long-term partnerships and sustainable growth not just for my business, but for everyone in the creative industry.
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Robin Worrall, Rednine:
This year has undoubtedly been another tricky one to navigate, but remembering that old keys don’t open new doors pushed me to completely rewrite my own brand story — visually and narratively. It was probably the hardest creative challenge I’ve ever attempted, but also one of the proudest I’ve achieved. It reminded me how important it is to step out of your own way, reconnect with your authentic voice and allow a little vulnerability to shine through.
I’ve seen plenty of worry, concern and hesitation across the creative community and among clients, yet it’s always the bold, tenacious and determined who eventually push through.
These days it takes more effort and resilience just to stay afloat, but the small moments still matter most — the tears of joy (mostly mine), the smiles of relief and the very welcome warm hugs when a team finally finds its true voice again and feels able to express itself with honesty and heart.
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Natalie Matti-Brown, Taxi Studio:
This year, we’re most proud of the impact we created for our clients. It’s what we’re known for, and nothing beats working with ambitious partners who back transformational work that drives growth. Our relationships grew even stronger as we deepened category insight and built unforgettable brands together. We moved into our new Bristol studio, which helps us collaborate faster and smarter, and three major new business wins show our approach continues to resonate globally.
Our 2026 resolution: stick to what we love – grow the people who grow the work, open doors for emerging talent, and continue giving back to our clients and the creative community.
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Penny Beeston, Beeston Media:
In 2025, we are most proud of strengthening relationships with our science and technology clients, partnering with them to produce highly engaging narratives that connect with audiences and attract investment.
Amongst a raft of fascinating projects, Isambard-AI, the UK’s fastest supercomputer is a major highlight, with its incredible potential to boost national innovation and global standing and generate knock-out case studies.
For 2026, we remain focused on becoming the primary creative partner for a wider range of UK technology leaders who share our vision on the critical role that consistent, inspiring communication plays in propelling the British economy and elevating the research sector worldwide.
Underlying all this is our belief that Bristol is perfectly positioned to fuse its massive talent in the tech and creative industries and truly make magic happen. A huge thank you to the BCI community for being a key player in this. Let’s keep Bristol unique, wonderful, and successful in 2026!
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Aggie Wojciechowska, Rocksteady Finance:
This year has been transformational for Rocksteady Finance (formerly CFO for Growth). We have not only continued to work with some amazing clients but also made huge strides in reflecting the business we wish to become. We have rebranded, built a new website, and expanded our team providing strong foundations as we move into 2026.
This time of year, is ideal for reflecting on the year just past and to set plans for the year ahead. Next year we plan to focus on significant growth, supporting more creative, marketing and PR agencies to make their finances work harder and more effectively for them. I won’t be doing it alone, as noted in my latest blog article, setting your plans and finances should be a team sport. We look forward to connecting with you. Click here to join our community and learn more about the world of finance.
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Sally Hunt, Floresco Media:
2025 was the year Floresco launched. Since opening our doors in April, we’ve welcomed our first team member, moved into our Bath office, and laid the foundations for a strong start to 2026. And the outlook is already very positive. Our team is expanding again in January – which we can’t wait for – and we’re gearing up to launch a new service that will bring something fresh, creative and strategic to the South West’s already amazing agency landscape. We’re excited to keep building an agency that’s easy and brilliant to work with, and at!
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Ben Biddiscombe, Light-up Media:
This year, our biggest achievements at Light-up Media has been maintaining business-as-usual for our clients while increasing revenue and beginning production on our first ever feature film ‘Electio’. Balancing our commercial projects with the demands of long-form storytelling is something we’re incredibly proud of, especially the growth, resilience and creativity it reflects.
In 2026, our ambition is to complete and launch the feature film and continue elevating the quality and impact of the work we produce for our clients. We’re focused on strengthening partnerships within the creative community and pushing our craft even further.
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Ben Lowndes, Distinctive Communications:
This year had its challenges, but it also felt like we took some big strides forward and turned heads towards us for the right reasons.
When I set up Distinctive in 2022, I wanted to us to be seen as good employer.
So, it meant a great deal to become the smallest fully accredited member of West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Good Employment Charter earlier this year. Since then, we’ve grown as a team with Heather McKay and Ryan Devlin joining and doing incredible things.
At a time when flexible, inclusive employment is coming under pressure, it’s good to be part of a network that’s keen to make work better.
Looking ahead to next year, my resolution is to find more time to think. Those moments of clarity and inspiration felt fleeting against the daily rush. I’m keen to make time for them. It’s where the growth will come from.
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Megan Jervis, social media manager and content creator
After struggling for a couple of years to figure out where I wanted my career to go, I took the plunge to begin my own business in Social Media Management for hospitality establishments, as well as other businesses, and WOW am I glad I did.
I am loving every minute of helping hospitality businesses showcase their incredible food and building businesses’ on social media.
Beginning my business in mid-September, I am so happy that I already have 4 paying clients, with a few more to start in 2026. Every week I am building on my skills, as a social media manager, a content creator and a business owner (the last bit is the hardest – no one teaches you how to do everything by yourself!!).
A year ago I never would have imagined this is how I would be ending 2025. I have loads of ideas of where this could go, and I can’t wait to see where I will be in 5+ years time.
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Andy Boreham, Bristol Beacon:
In 2025 Bristol Beacon celebrated a second year of re-opening in which they welcomed 500,000 visitors to 789 events including 42 conferences and significant festivals like BBC Proms and Simple Things. As the West of England’s music hub lead organisation, Bristol Beacon delivered 59,000 music lessons and ran 296 workshops with early years, families, elders and community groups, and supported 270+ emerging artists, creatives and industry professionals through networking, events and 1-1 support. And audiences are having a blast, with an average rating of 4.6/5 for the year.
Next year, the Beacon looks forward to building on the foundations of the success of the first two years of opening, playing host to major tours by the likes of Lily Allen, Suede and Bristol’s own Tricky, the return of BBC Proms for a third year, and the launch of major new projects that will grow new skills and deepen musical connection between communities across the West of England.
Photography by Soul Media
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Rob Wilde, Varn:
2025 saw us celebrate Varn’s 15th birthday and it has been a year of real momentum for our agency, as we help our clients navigate a very fast moving SEO and search AI visibility space. Our standout achievement has been onboarding 40 brand new clients, whilst delivering brilliant results for our clients with an outstanding retention rate of 94%. Our efforts have been focused helping our clients to untangle complex data, build strong SEO foundations, and get visible in AI search…ultimately supporting real commercial growth. We are also particularly proud of our VarnFest events and how our presence on leading industry stages like brightonSEO, have strengthened our role as a trusted voice in search marketing.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are ambitiously focused on being the market leader in AI search, SEO and data…expanding with the launch of our new Varn London team. Exciting times. Our plan is continued strong growth and to invest in the next generation of talent, accelerating our momentum and raising the standard of what clients can expect from a specialist search consultancy.
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Victoria Hockley, Loom Digital:
Loom Digital’s biggest achievement this year has been welcoming 22 new clients. Even in a tricky economic climate, their trust reflects a wider shift – businesses are turning to digital expertise to navigate a fast-moving landscape and make sense of constant change.
This growth is a testament to the team at Loom. Our commitment to learning, adapting and collaborating has helped clients cut through an increasingly competitive space; where in-house specialists, freelancers, agencies and AI all vie for attention. Our strength lies in listening carefully to each business’s challenges and applying the right expertise to move our client’s forward.
We’re also equally proud of the type of organisations we’ve partnered with this year, including fellow B Corps and value-aligned brands.
For 2026, our focus is clear: deepen partnerships, continue raising the bar on digital expertise and champion sustainable, measurable growth for every client.
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Jonathon Galvin-Wright, Burleigh Design:
A ‘Bristol original’ is back…
2025 has been a huge year for Burleigh, and picking one standout achievement feels impossible. We completed a major restructure, with me joining Fraser Ebbs as a shareholder and director. We refreshed our positioning and reclaimed our heritage as Bristol’s oldest design agency, established in 1895. We reshaped our offer and have built an agile, experienced team that we think reflects how clients genuinely want to work today. We even brought the business back to Bristol, and somehow managed to keep delivering great client work throughout all this change.
Looking ahead to 2026, our ambitions are simple: build on what we’ve (re!) started, meet new clients who genuinely align with what we do and make sure Burleigh is a place where good people can do their best work – and enjoy doing it.
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Ralph Mann, Purple Heron:
2025 was my year of ‘the other AI’- embracing ancient, artistic intelligence with pen and paper to visualise transformation. I crafted large graphic recordings for global engineering firms like Bristol’s GKN Aerospace. In 2026, I’m looking forward to growing visual facilitation workshops, unlocking creativity in teams.
Photography by Chris Cooper / ShotAway / www.ShotAway.com / #shotawaydotcom
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Danie Stincombe, Gather Round:
It’s been a tough year in creative industries and we’ve had some challenging times but we’ve also had some big achievements at Gather Round.
In March, we opened our third coworking space for creatives, Trinity, in central Bath (on Queen Square). Launching with 80 members signed up, a community from day one.
We won a Sparkles Award for our series of free events for the local creative community – Gather Round Presents (the next one is on 22nd January so watch this space!).
But more importantly our creative community has thrived. We’ve seen members collabing at each location every week. Some are one off projects and others are long term partnerships still flourishing today.
In 2026 we have even more exciting new ‘members only’ events coming up plus our Gather Round Presents series continues for its third year running. Sign up to our newsletter for an invite to our free events.
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Leigh-Ann Hewer, Carnsight Communications:
We were so excited to have won the Agency Award at this year’s Creative Bath Awards! This recognition means so much to us because it comes from the incredible creative community that we’re so proud to be part of. It’s a real honour to see our work and dedication acknowledged among such inspiring talent. Moments like these remind us why we love what we do and motivate us to keep pushing boundaries for our clients.
As if that wasn’t exciting enough, we’ve already started preparations for a major milestone: our 10-year anniversary celebration next year! It’s hard to believe a decade has flown by, and we can’t wait to mark the occasion with our amazing team, clients, and supporters.
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Alex Pilkington, Mostly Media:
This year at Mostly Media I am most proud of our winning some pretty major media accounts, especially Truespeed and Ecotricity. It has been a good momentum for the business, and it says a lot that we have been able to keep building the team during a tough economic period.
Looking ahead to 2026, we want to keep that momentum going by helping our clients scale with confidence. Our focus is on driving measurable growth, strengthening existing partnerships, expanding performance across more channels, and continuing to invest in great people so we can deliver even stronger results.
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Manni Pearce, Manuel Pearce Photography:
My biggest achievement in 2025 was securing and delivering my first 360° project for a well known film studios in the UK. The 360° project I provided has already attracted positive feedback from their clients who can remotely visualise the studios, offices and other facilities from wherever they are located in the world. My services are now attracting film & music studios from overseas and I already have projects booked for 2026.
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Alistair Aitcheson, game developer and interactive performer:
This year I was awarded the Bernie de Koven Big Fun Award at the IndieCade Festival in Los Angeles.
IndieCade is one of the world’s longest-running independent games festivals. At the start of my career just exhibiting a game at IndieCade would have been a dream come true. To be given an honorary award by them is something I could never have imagined.
Bernie de Koven was one of the leading academic theorists on play. He was a pioneering member of the New Games movement in the 1970s, who created big public play events for adults and children alike. Many of the non-competitive, social and physical games we know from summer camps, theatre workshops and teambuilding have their roots in this movement.
The award recognises creators continuing the work that Bernie began, and to be considered a part of that lineage is a massive honour indeed.
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Jardine Miles, Bright:
2025 has been a big year for Bright, we’ve doubled the size of our team, become B Corp certified and structured the team to be ready for growth with key hires at a director level. As we turn 21, our ambition is to deepen client relationships and continue to develop our specialism in delivering employee engagement events.
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Karis Copp, Karis Copp Media:
2025 has been a bit of a whirlwind! We’ve continued to grow the team as well as growing our global client base, and have been lucky enough to support clients and partners at events all over the world, so it’s been an incredibly rewarding one for us. Becoming part of some wonderful communities such as BCI this year has been a great move for us in terms of networking, learning, and personal development.
In 2026, our plan is to continue to grow with intention, as well as giving more back as we do it through more structured support for causes that help our industry. With more projects scheduled for the new year, hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to expand our fantastic small team too. I’m excited to see what 2026 has in store for us!
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Simeon de la Torre, SIM7:
We applied for more tenders than most heart doctors would recommend in 2025. I cried in the street when we lost one that I presumed was ours for the taking (will I EVER learn?), but ultimately, we won several major new clients, so the agency’s in a good place.
We got our heads around AI last year. And then we got ahead of AI this year. In fact, we have reshaped SIM7 and reframed our proposition as a result.
And personally, getting by with my schoolboy French when visiting clients in Paris was something of an achievement, but it’s also indirectly set the agenda for one of our ambitions for 2026: more international clients.
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Amy Stobie, AgencyUK:
It’s been a fantastic 2025 here at AUK, with another successful 12 months of helping brands mean more to their customers, stakeholders and communities.
We’re also proud to have been recertified as a B Corp organisation, underlining our commitment to being a force for good in business for both our people and the planet. We’ve given local students their first tastes of work experience, we’ve worked with some fantastic causes and even found time to plant some (slightly wonky) hedgerows at Bath City Farm – it’s been a busy year!
A big thank you to our brilliant teams, clients and the wider Bristol Creative Industries community for helping make 2025 such a success – here’s to more of the same in the new year!
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Rosia Curtis, writer, editor, and fundraiser:
My biggest achievement in 2025 was becoming braver as a business owner! I set up a second business this year, called Carrina’s Book. It’s a biography and memorial book company established in memory of my sister, so it’s a really personal and meaningful venture for me.
I also raised several hundred thousand pounds for my charity clients in 2025, and I co-founded Charity Freelancers Bristol, a monthly networking group for charity professionals.
I have done a lot of things this year that have pushed me out of my comfort zone, so I’m proud of that.
I’m looking forward to developing my new business in 2026, helping individuals and families to bring their incredible stories to life. I’m also looking forward to connecting with more amazing freelancers and professionals in the new year. I have benefitted so much from local connections.
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Andrew Styles, Styles Studio / AD Styles:
Our biggest success was successfully delivering branding and website projects for Bristol institutions Boomsatsuma and Creative Communities (part of Bristol Drugs Project) – it’s great to see your work up around the city.
We also delivered the new Canons Wharf website, for the development of the old Lloyds building in the harbour side. Hoping to continue working for Bristol-based organisations in 2026.
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Madeleine Zapletal, MZ Copy:
My biggest success this year has been receiving a consistent stream of interest from some fantastic businesses with very little promotion or outreach. It’s lovely to know that your clients appreciate and trust you enough to put in a good word for you. It’s kept me afloat during what could have been some particularly tricky times.
In 2026, I’m keen to expand my client base and focus on more creative projects that do good. Working in marketing and advertising can open you up to some of the “not-so-ethical” sides of the industry, which has made me all the more eager to give back, create work I’m proud of, champion human innovation (not just AI!), and support local businesses with ethics that align with mine.
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Sophie Jones, Proctor + Stevenson:
Our proudest achievement this year has been establishing ourselves as genuine pioneers in the creative, strategic use of AI. Not by chasing trends, but by using it in ways that genuinely amplify the value we give clients.
We’ve built a clear AI roadmap, delivered more complex, high-impact work, expanded our consultancy-led SEO, GEO, creative and marketing services, and watched the team embrace new tools with real energy. And we’ve done it all while staying true to the human side of who we are: our client relationships, our care for each other, our B Corp values, and the support for young talent that make this place what it is.
Our ambition for 2026 is to take that even further: to put P+S, and the South West, firmly on the map as a hub for brilliant AI-powered creative work, while opening the door wider for more of the next generation to join and shape our industry.
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Oli Garnett, Something Familiar:
2025 was a year of stepping back and leaning forward at the same time. My biggest achievement was shifting my role from day to day creative delivery and moving into a role focused on growth, partnerships, and clarity, both internally and externally. That gave Something Familiar the space to take the agency to New York properly, not to pitch, but to build relationships with people and businesses going through change.
We spent time with founders, B Corps, and teams who had outgrown what they were and needed a partner to help unlock momentum again. It reinforced our belief that better work comes from better relationships, and that growth is less about doing more and more about doing the right things well.
In 2026, the ambition is simple: fewer distractions, deeper partnerships, and work we are genuinely proud to put our name on. Becoming a better agency, not a bigger one, and continuing to help brands evolve in the moments that matter most.
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Franco de la Croix-Vaubois, Frog Events:
2025 has been a landmark year for Frog Events, with clients across the UK, Europe, the US and Canada trusting us with some of their most important programmes.
We delivered Avon Valley’s Summer Event Development Plan which generated £200,000 in its first year, including a 600-person festival for a major construction firm.
We hosted a 6-day UK study tour for US agritainment owners and a 36-person strategy retreat across Canada, both fully hosted by Franco and praised for exceptional delivery.
Our hybrid and virtual expertise shone through global projects, including a multinational hackathon for a multi-billion tech firm, a 5-day hybrid medical conference in Seattle, the Japanese/UK annual virtual career fair and PepsiCo’s North America WIN Conference. We also delivered the UK Librarians Conference with a 9.3 NPS score and 92% turnout.
With 32 hosted buyer meetings at IBTM Barcelona, we close the year stronger than ever and ready for ambitious growth in 2026.
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Martin Barnes, 8 Seconds to Connect
My biggest realisation this year was that I didn’t need to keep chasing new leads. When I looked back, the lions share of my work had come from people I’d already worked with. The people who knew me and trusted me. So I slowed down a bit, got back in touch with them, and just had normal conversations about how things were going on both sides. Plus a lot of AI geek outs.
It took a lot of pressure out of the business. The work felt easier, the projects were a better fit, and I had more time for family. Much less of that frantic “always on” feeling.
For next year, I want to keep going in that direction. Stay close to the people I enjoy working with, keep things simple, and let the right opportunities grow from there.
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Andy Marshall, Our Media:
This year, we strengthened our purpose as a business: creating inspiring, trusted content that enriches people’s lives. We expanded our presence across Apple News and Google Discover, cementing our position as one of Apple’s fastest-growing content providers. We published 484 digital editions and achieved a staggering number of engaged minutes on Apple News. We’ve continued to innovate as a business, launching new podcasts and building relationships with new partners.
Looking ahead to 2026, our ambitions is to grow our content offering even further, reaching an ever-increasing number of people. We’ll build on this year’s momentum to strengthen partnerships and continue to deliver trusted content.
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Eliot Shiner, Bind Media:
Bind Media’s biggest achievement in 2025 was demonstrating that purpose and performance can thrive together. Our commitment to excellence was recognised through award-winning client work at The Drum, UK Search Awards, European Search Awards and the European Paid Media Awards, and our team culture was honoured with Campaign Best Place to Work.
This success was sustained while championing the planet by proudly retaining our B-Corp status, funding carbon removal via Ecologi, and dedicating time to volunteering, pro-bono work and raising money for local charities.
Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to deepen the positive impact we can have on both people and planet, whilst evolving our services to compliment the ever-changing landscape of digital. We’re excited to soon unveil Virgil™, our proprietary AI brain, strengthening our ability to deliver powerful insights and clarity at speed for both our team and our clients.
Keep up to date with Bristol Creative Industries members’ news and successes via our newsfeed. Not a member and want to share your news on the website? Join today.
Thanks to all the love and support from our amazing community, we have been named the 8th best workspace in the UK by the 2025 Tallys, and the highest ranked workspace in the South West.
All there is to say is thank you. To our members, our supporters, our incredible team, and to everyone who makes Square Works what it is.
When we started Square Works way back in 2019, we could never have imagined the amazing community we would build over the years – to be ranked so highly amongst many other incredible workspaces across the country is a privilege, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
To find out more about The Tallys and why Square Works has been ranked #8 in the UK, click the link below.
FIND OUT MORE
Here are 10 things you might not (but definitely should) know about Square Works…
1. Square Works is housed in a Grade II Listed Georgian townhouse
Square Works is tucked inside a beautifully preserved Georgian building on Berkeley Square – one of Clifton’s most iconic addresses. From the outside, it’s all Bristolian charm; inside, it’s a thoughtfully designed, modern workspace filled with art, natural light, and sleek interiors that blend heritage with contemporary flair.
2. It’s the only co-working space in Bristol with a private members’ club
Square Works is part of The Square Club, a private members’ club for creatives and professionals. This unique connection gives you access to exclusive events, industry talks, and a stylish bar and restaurant. Even better? You can order restaurant-quality food and have it delivered right to your desk.
3. You can work from a ‘Secret Garden’
Hidden behind The Square Club is a tranquil terrace that’s the perfect spot for a quiet call, an al fresco meeting, or just soaking up the sun with your laptop and a coffee in hand.
4. The events calendar is packed – and many are free for members
From creative breakfasts to pitch nights and Friday Pilates, Square Works hosts regular events to help members connect, grow, and get inspired. It’s networking without the awkwardness – and you never know who you’ll meet over coffee.
5. Members get 24/7 access — yes, even on Sundays
If you have an office or a Dedicated Desk at Square Works, you’re not limited to the standard 9 – 5. Whether you prefer early mornings or late nights, you gain access 24/7 so you can work when it suits you – even on weekends and Bank Holidays.
6. There’s a curated art collection
Art is part of the Square Works experience. You’ll find pieces from local and UK-based artists throughout the space – creating an inspiring, gallery-like atmosphere. Plus, head next door to The Square Club for the latest seasonal installations.
7. Memberships are built for flexibility
Whether you’re a freelancer, founder, or part of a growing team, Square Works has an option for you – from hot desking to private offices. You can scale up, scale down, or shift between spaces as your needs change, without being locked into a long-term lease.
8. Unlimited refreshments and weekly ‘Square Works Nibbles’
Members enjoy unlimited, high-quality coffee, tea, hot chocolate and more. But the real treat? Every Wednesday, the in-house chef surprises members with freshly made sweet or savoury bites. It’s the perfect midweek pick-me-up.
9. Dog-friendly work space
Square Works welcomes well-behaved dogs – because work is better with a furry friend nearby. It adds to the relaxed, homely atmosphere and means you don’t have to leave your pup behind when you’re working long hours.
10. It’s a true community – not just a desk
What sets Square Works apart is the atmosphere. Whether you’re chatting in the kitchen, attending an event, or collaborating on a project, you’re not just renting a desk – you’re joining a supportive, inspiring community of creatives, professionals, and entrepreneurs.
To book a tour of Bristol’s Best Workspace, get in touch with us today via:
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 0117 322 6635
Enquiry Form: Contact Us
Or, if you’re in the area, feel free to pop in and chat with our friendly team!
Where most mural artists begin
The mural industry is an exciting place, and many young artists dream of becoming full-time muralists and creatives. Through our time in the industry, we’ve seen just how strong that ambition is. But we’ve also noticed some major barriers that make it incredibly difficult for upcoming artists to progress.
One of the biggest issues is simple: access to walls. Without physical spaces to paint and gain real experience, artists struggle to build portfolios, prove their credibility, and move from small personal work into professional projects. This lack of opportunity also plays a wider role in the graffiti challenges we see across Bristol, and is a key reason why there are fewer emerging mural artists than there could be.
For businesses looking to hire mural artists, this lack of early opportunity often means fewer emerging professional mural artists to choose from.
The biggest barrier for new mural artists: access to walls
The start of a young mural artist’s journey is often unclear. How can you build a portfolio without access to space? Private clients and businesses want to see how you deliver, and want to know that you’re confident working at scale. Without clear experience to back you up, you’re often relying on trust, which can be inconsistent. As a result, many artists turn to the street, finding quiet walls to paint. This helps build practice and confidence, but it doesn’t always translate well on a professional portfolio.
It quickly becomes a loop for new artists. You can’t get projects because you don’t have experience, and you can’t get experience because you can’t get projects. It’s a frustrating place to be, and it takes real grit and effort to escape.
This barrier doesn’t just disappear when you get your first wall either. If you want to go bigger, and work on larger-scale murals, the opportunities become even slimmer. Access remains one of the biggest limits on progression.
There are some ways to break through this that we’ve seen. Some artists use grant funding to incentivise clients to work with them, and there are occasional graffiti festivals that you can pay to enter. But these opportunities take time and effort to find, are often competitive, and rarely offer a clear or consistent route forward.
Why being a great mural artist isn’t enough
We’ve realised that you don’t just need to be a good artist to make it into the mural world, you also need to become an entrepreneur. Throughout your journey you often end up needing sales skills, web development skills, marketing, negotiating, and even accounting just to stay afloat. It’s hard enough to be exceptional at your craft, let alone good enough across all of these other areas as well.
That’s why we’ve noticed that many of the artists who do break through aren’t always the most naturally gifted, but they work relentlessly and fully embrace the entrepreneurial side of the journey. Not every artist is willing to cold call, walk into businesses, pitch themselves, and face rejection again and again. You often begin this career for the love of art, and slowly find yourself becoming a struggling salesperson for your own work.
This doesn’t even touch on the level of competition within the industry. Another skill you quickly realise you need is the ability to stand out and find your own lane. That takes time, trial and error, resilience, and business strategy, all alongside trying to stay creatively motivated.
Our experience building Art Sync
We saw this barrier first-hand while building Art Sync. We knew we had the ability to deliver, but back then we had no portfolio. It took time to secure our first project, and even then, it wasn’t at the scale we originally wanted. But it got our foot in the door, and helped us to start building momentum.
We came into Art Sync with experience in business and sales, so we knew from day one that putting ourselves out there and facing rejection was unavoidable. That background gave us the confidence to approach conversations properly, build trust with clients, and establish a visible online presence from the start.
Most artists aren’t fortunate enough to have experience in these areas, so a lot of the journey becomes learning by doing. From what we’ve seen, one of the most effective ways to get that first experience is through your network. Who do you know with walls? Do you know any business owners? Would your family let you paint a mural? These small opportunities can help build early experience without relying on street work to represent your professional identity.
Creating real mural opportunities for artists in Bristol
We’re not just sharing this problem, we’re actively trying to solve it from the inside. By building strong relationships with businesses and institutions, we’re starting to unlock real wall space opportunities and create access where it didn’t exist before. Our latest partnership with UWE and New Wave is beginning to bring some exciting projects to life in early 2026.
We’ll be installing six murals for UWE across Bower Ashton, Frenchay Campus, and their new Kingfisher Court accommodation. Alongside the installations, we’ll be offering students the opportunity to shadow, assist, and take part in design workshops to begin developing real mural skills. The first project will be at Bower Ashton, where students will be involved in the full design process, from concept development through to helping paint the final winning design. This is just the first of several UWE projects that will include learning opportunities.
Alongside this, we’ve also received permission to paint at Skyline Park. We’ll be organising a spray day to give artists open access to a wall where they can experiment, practise, and gain real experience. The aim is to create a space for artists to learn by doing, connect with one another, and build confidence. We plan to offer this as a free experience, removing the financial barrier to entry.
Building a stronger mural ecosystem
This problem is real, and we genuinely want to help. Of course we care about supporting upcoming artists, but we also believe that by strengthening the mural ecosystem as a whole, we strengthen what we’re building too. Bringing new talent through keeps the industry moving, and keeps our own work evolving.
We’re excited to see where artists go when they’re given real opportunities, real walls, and real experience. If you’re an artist trying to find your way in this space, we see you, and we’re committed to doing what we can to make that path a little clearer to walk.
Whether you’re a business looking to hire mural artists, or an artist searching for real mural opportunities in Bristol, we want to play a part in making those connections happen.
If you’d like to hear about upcoming spray days, student projects, or future opportunities, you can follow our journey on Instagram.
Bristol and the wider region’s creative businesses have a narrow window to access substantial government funding for skills development. This is co-funded employer training. Mastered has secured funding that covers up to 90% of training costs – reducing the typical £4,000 per person investment to just £400 – but all funds must be allocated by mid-December 2025, with training completed by end of March 2026.
This is your last opportunity to secure this year’s funding allocation.
Secure your AI springboard for Q1 2026
Government funding cycles operate on strict timelines. Businesses need to register interest and confirm participation before the December deadline. With funding allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, early movers will secure their spots whilst others miss out entirely.
The good news? You’ve got just enough time to get your team’s development sorted before the Christmas break, with training delivered through Q1 2026 when you need it most.
Available to creative businesses in the WEMCA region
This opportunity is specifically available to creative studios and businesses in Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset through the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WEMCA) funding partnership.
What’s covered
The programmes are designed for all creative companies — technical directors, heads of production, creative leads, client services and finance teams who need to stay ahead of the curve. Training focuses on real business challenges, including:
- Adopting or upgrading pipelines and tools (Blender, Houdini, Unreal Engine 5)
- Strategic AI exploration across the creative pipeline
- Leadership development to improve production efficiency and team management
- Technical skills transfer tailored to your company’s specific needs
What participants receive
- 64 hours of intensive, practitioner-led training
- Industry mentoring from technical directors and production leaders Interactive workshops and real-world projects designed around your studio’s challenges
- One-to-one guidance with measurable progress tracking
- A dedicated programme manager handling logistics so you can focus on development
Flexible delivery for busy teams
Recognising that creative teams can’t always commit to weekly sessions, Mastered offers flexible formats—from intensive 2-day blocks to spread-out sessions that fit around production schedules. Training can be structured around your Q1 2026 workflow.
“We know Bristol’s studios are juggling ambitious projects whilst navigating new technologies,” commented Perri Lewis, CEO of Mastered.
“This funding window is tight, but it means senior leaders and specialists can access world-class training without the usual cost barriers. The December deadline is real—we’re urging studios to act now rather than miss this year’s allocation entirely.”
How to apply – act before mid-December
The deadline for fund allocation is mid-December 2025, with all training to be completed by 31st March 2026. Funding is allocated first-come, first-served.
Don’t leave this as a “next year” problem. Secure your funding allocation now.
For further information, fill in this form or contact Tim Fleming, industry partnerships manager at Mastered. Find a time that works for you here.
About Mastered
Founded in 2014, Mastered delivers government-funded, industry-focused training that helps senior creative talent stay ahead of the game. We’ve supported over 8,000 professionals across 95+ countries and partnered with 30+ studios to develop the skills their teams need most.
We believe the creative industries deserve better training: accessible, flexible, affordable, and always current. By ensuring talent can thrive, we help studios create better work, build stronger teams, and shape the future of culture, technology, and storytelling.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the much anticipated 2025 Budget on 26 November.
Making announcements that included £26 billion of tax rises, Reeves said she was “asking everyone to make a contribution”, although she wanted to “ensure the wealthiest contribute the most”.
Following months of speculation over what the speech would include, Budget day itself was a chaotic one as key details were revealed before the chancellor spoke in Parliament due to the Office of Budget Responsibility accidentally publishing their economic and fiscal forecast early.
Read below for the measures of interest to creative businesses and comment on this LinkedIn post with your views on the Budget.
Creative industries announcements
The mentions of the creative industries in the Budget speech and the full Budget document were:
Creative Places Growth Fund
The Budget confirmed the allocation of £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for six priority regions including the West of England. Each region is being provided with £25 million to support the creative industries.
Find details for the plan for the funding in the West of England and how you can contribute to the discussion around how the money should be spent here.
Film studios business rates relief
In the 2024 Spring Budget, the government announced that eligible film studios in England will receive a 40% reduction on their gross business rates bills until 2034. The 2025 Budget said this relief will continue at the current level.
National Wealth Fund
Discussing the new National Wealth Fund, the Budget said it has £27.8 billion in “public capital available to invest in a range of capital-intensive projects, businesses and assets” which “will support the delivery of the wider modern industrial strategy, including in defence, life sciences, and creative industries”.
Business funding
The British Business Bank (BBB) has published its five-year strategic plan for its increased financial capacity of £25.6 billion. It includes support for “promising businesses” in the government’s modern industrial strategy eight priority sectors (IS-8) to scale.
Creative industries is one of the priority sectors as outlined in the creative industries sector plan.
The BBB will also deliver 85,000 new Start Up Loans, commit £150m to Community Development Finance Institutions to support underserved groups, increase regional investment and support the development of regional science and innovation clusters and new regional angel networks.
As previous announced government investment in R&D will grow to £22.6 billion by 2029-30. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will direct £9 billion over four years to IS-8 sectors, including £4.5 billion for innovative UK companies in those sectors.
Firstly, Innovate UK will launch a new £130 million Growth Catalyst programme, offering grants and tailored support to frontier companies that have already attracted investment. UKRI’s £500 million R&D Missions Accelerator programme will launch challenges to drive economic benefit from the UK’s cultural assets and to cut construction costs for public infrastructure by 10%.
Tourist tax
Arts and cultural businesses will be interested in the announcement that mayors in England will be given new powers to introduce a visitor levy on overnight visitor accommodation in their area. It will fund further investment in growth locally, including the visitor economy. The government is consulting on the levy.
Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, said:
“Residents and visitors alike know how special our part of the world is, from our people to our culture to our nature. Tourism is now worth a record £2.7 billion to the West’s economy, which is a key industry for our new Growth Strategy over the coming decade.
“These new powers are a real vote of confidence in our region taking more control of our future. Proceeds from an overnight visitor levy, that people from across the West are used to paying on holiday ourselves, have the potential to support and enhance the sector’s businesses and workers – including with better transport options.”
Books for secondary schools
The government will provide £5 million to state-funded secondary schools in England in 2026-27 to increase book supplies.
General Autumn Budget 2025 measures of interest to the creative industries
The following are announcements not specific to the creative industries but are of interest to businesses and freelancers in the sector.
Income tax and National Insurance personal thresholds frozen
The freezing of income tax and National Insurance personal thresholds, which was due to end in 2028, will be extended to 2031. This will bring more people into higher tax brackets over time.
Dividend and savings tax increase
The ordinary and upper rates of tax on dividend income will increase by 2 percentage points from April 2026. The dividend additional rate will not change.
The tax rate on savings and rental income will also increase by 2 percentage points across all bands from April 2027.
National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage
From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for over-21s will increase by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour, the National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds will increase by 8.5% to £10.85 per hour and the rate for 16-17 year olds and apprentices will increase by 6.0% to £8.00 per hour.
The accommodation offset will increase by 4.1% to £11.10 per day.
Fuel duty
The 5p cut in fuel duty on petrol and diesel will be extended until September 2026. It will then gradually return to March 2022 levels by March 2027.
Mileage tax on electric cars
A 3p per mile charge for electric car drivers will apply from April 2028.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles will be charged 1.5p per-mile.
Employee ownership trusts capital gains tax
Capital gains tax relief on business sales made to employee ownership trusts will be cut from 100% to 50%.
Salary-sacrifice pension contributions
National Insurance will be charged on salary-sacrifice pension contributions above an annual £2,000 threshold from April 2029.
Mansion tax on properties worth more than £2m
The new tax will apply to properties worth more than £2 million. It will be £2,500 for properties worth £2m to £2.5m and up to £7,500 for homes worth £5m.
Apprenticeships
Training for apprentices under-25 will be made free for small and medium-sized businesses.
Youth Guarantee
Funding of £820 million will provide a guaranteed six-month paid work placement for every eligible 18-to 21 year old who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months.
Business rates
There will be permanently lower tax rates for over 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properities. The RHL multipliers will be 5p below their national equivalents, making the small business RHL multiplier 38.2p and the standard RHL multiplier 43p in 2026-27.
It will be funded by a new higher rate on properties with a rateable value of £500,000 and above. The government said this includes the warehouses used by online giants such as Amazon.
From 1 April 2026, business rates bills in England will be updated to reflect changes in property values since the last revaluation in 2023. The government said half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. For those seeing bill increases there will be a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years.
Venture Capital Trust (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)
The VCT and EIS company investment limit will be increased to £10 million, and £20 million for Knowledge Intensive Companies (KICs). It will also increase the lifetime company investment limit to £24 million, and £40 million for KICs.
Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI)
EMI will be expanded, with the company share option limit increasing from £3m to £6m, the employee limit increasing from 250 to 500, the lifecycle limit increasing from 10 to 15 years and the gross asset tests increasing to £120 million.
Tax support for entrepreneurs
The government has launched a consultation to gather views and evidence on tax policy support for investment in high-growth UK companies.
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs)
From 6 April 2027, the annual ISA cash limit will be cut from £20,000 to £12,000. The aim is to encourage more people to invest in stocks and shares ISAs
Savers over the age of 65 will continue to be able to save up to £20,000 in a cash ISA each year.
Top image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
BRAVA (Bristol Academy of Voice Acting) is delighted to announce that it has received two Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS) Award nominations.
Best Podcast Host
The nominations are for Outstanding Podcast – Best Producer/Host – for BRAVA Founder and CEO, Melissa Thom, for the High Notes podcast on the art and business of voice.
From Monoglian throat singing to vocal health, accents, gaming and more, High Notes uncovers the craft behind the business. Series 3 has just dropped and explores ‘Words at Work’, talking to some of the best minds about voice, speech and communication for business.
Best Audio Drama
BRAVA has also been nominated for Outstanding Audio Drama for Angels in Bristol, an original Film Noir script based in 1954 Bristol, written and directed by Elaine A. Clark, and produced by Melissa Thom.
Elaine wrote the script exclusively for BRAVA’s in-person Characters Masterclass, held in Bristol every summer. This annual event provides participants with the opportunity to be cast in and record a range of productions, from audiobooks, to audio dramas, video games and more.
Melissa Thom, Founder & CEO of BRAVA said:
“I could not be prouder of everyone at BRAVA involved in these nominations. It’s a real testimony to the talent of our voice clients. Here’s to storytelling, community, and the power of voice; to putting Bristol and the South West firmly on the global voice map; and, most importantly, to creating art for pleasure!”.
BRAVA’s High Notes podcast is hosted and produced by Melissa Thom, audio and video engineer Euan McAleece, and audio and video editor, David Macgregor.
The Angels in Bristol cast: Carla O’Shaughnessy, Tiffany Xin, Marilla Lamour, Tina Duffin, Gwen Henderson, Tyler Woodburn, Guy Pass, Daniel Watson, Amy Smith, Rebecca Kozlen, Tabitha Owens and Melissa Thom. The Producer was Melissa Thom and Assistant Producer, Tabitha Owens.
To work with BRAVA on voice, speech and communication in the workplace and beyond, drop us a line at [email protected] or visit our website at www.brava.uk.com
