Halo has launched it’s event series – Halo Revelations.

Hosted by Nick Clarkson, the first Halo Revelations event, “Putting AI to Work,” was eye-opening to the many possibilities Artificial Intelligence brings to branding and marketing. The event promised to reshape approaches to these crucial aspects of business, and it did not disappoint.

Kerry Harrison (Content Generation with AI, Essential Toolkit Strategies)

Kicking off the talks, Kerry Harrison, shared insights into the groundbreaking tools shaping the future. From creating the world’s first AI gin to utilising tools like ChatGPT Bard, Bing, and Claude Co-Pilot for writing, Kerry emphasised the role of AI in saving time on research and planning. AI, according to Kerry, is a powerful ally that generates ideas and information quickly, allowing for the creation of first drafts and structures.

One key takeaway was the importance of understanding what AI can and cannot do. Kerry stressed that while AI is a valuable tool, human intelligence is essential for strategy, creative thinking, and research. The message was clear:

“AI is a Collaborator, not a Successor.” – Kerry Harrison

Neil Collard (Adopting AI, A Mindset Revolution)

Neil Collard delved into the adoption of AI, citing Moore’s Law and Martec’s Law as foundations for understanding the rapid evolution of technology. His presentation centered on the AI Maturity Model, emphasising the importance of alignment, commitment, and ambition.

Neil urged businesses to be ahead of the curve, stating that delays in adopting AI could result in being left behind. He presented a thought-provoking idea: the alignment-adoption-ambition framework, encouraging businesses to sacrifice the sacrosanct and be open to change for success.

Tanya Sharma (Enhancing the customer experience with AI)

During her talk, Tanya Sharma focused on the transformation of customer experience through AI. She emphasised the importance of the client and customer relationship:

“Customer is King.” – Tanya Sharma

AI, when used, introduces new opportunities in customer experience, offering personalised interactions at scale, enhancing customer support through chatbots, and optimising marketing strategies through data analysis and predictive modelling.

Hannah Strickland and Paul Bailey (Navigating the Intersection of AI and Brand Dynamics)

Stepping in for Nick EllisHannah Strickland, and Paul Bailey demystified the hype around AI integration. They revealed that Halo has seamlessly integrated AI into their workflow. During the talk, they gave a case study on a recent branding project they completed for a client, in which they used AI-generated images for the brand. The pair emphasised how AI can provide longevity and quick delivery for a client when on-brand images are created, through the use of AI and specific image prompts

AI can be used in agencies for numerous areas from social content to strategy planning. In practice image prompts can be used as a distinctive asset for a brand. ChatGPT was praised as a valuable collaborator, a partner in ideation that provides a fresh perspective.

“Think of AI as the other person in the room you are bouncing ideas off.” – Paul Bailey

Both Hannah and Paul encouraged a simplified approach, suggesting that AI is like having a parent with infinite patience, allowing strategists to think freely.

From content creation to customer experience, the event showcased AI as a catalyst for unlocking success. The key takeaway was clear: AI is not here to replace but to empower, and adopting it responsibly is the key to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of business and creativity. Don’t be left behind – It is time to Integrate and experiment with AI.


Article was written by Kayjay McDonald-Ferguson (ex-intern at Halo)
Find original article here

Happy Global Entrepreneurship Week!

The UK’s creative industries are jam-packed with small businesses and self-employed individuals.

Government data shows 95% of the sector’s companies are micro-businesses, while self-employment accounts for 32% of employment, compared to 16% for the economy more broadly.

With that in mind, Dan Martin asked individual and startup members of Bristol Creative Industries to share their tips for running a successful freelance or small business. We received some brilliant responses which we’ve highlighted below.

Become an individual and startup member of Bristol Creative Industries for only £4.95 a month or £49+VAT a year and enjoy many business-boosting benefits. Sign up here.

How to run a successful freelance or small business

Bristol Creative Industries members share their tips below. Click their BCI profile links to find out more about them and to see if there are opportunities for collaboration. We love to see members working together!


 

Build a network
Working for yourself can be a solitary pursuit and the idea of networking can be intimidating. But it starts with making friendly connections. That can create the basis for future partnerships, referrals and support.

We’re lucky to be spoilt for choice with a wonderful community in Bristol and the South West and Bristol Creative Industries is at the heart of that. I’ve enjoyed every minute of making like-minded connections and friends in the process.

Sell yourself with confidence
Don’t be shy. Remind people of your experience and expertise – don’t assume they know that already. Make it an easy choice for them to buy your services. If you keep it authentic and make a personal connection, selling doesn’t have to feel awkward.

Take time to contract with a clear brief
Over the years I have been eager to make it as easy as possible to get started on a scope of work by writing a proposal from a loose verbal brief. That means doing a lot of the scoping myself which, as well as a lot of time and effort unpicking the client’s needs, can leave room for (mis)interpretation.  I find the most successful partnerships involve the client putting an equal amount of work in up front to shape a really clear brief.

Katie Scotland, Future Me Consulting
View Katie’s BCI profile here

Having a good support network is key. In my experience, this goes beyond family and friends. Of course, you need people around who love you unconditionally. You also need those people who, being self-employed, just get it. People who understand the ups, as well as the downs, and who can give you a boost with some sage words of advice. You never know when you might need to call on those freelance friends – whether it’s celebrating a big win or simply asking, ‘How do I do that thing on Mailchimp, again?!’ Don’t go it alone, you’ll travel farther with trusted, supportive people at your side.

Laura Summerhayes, Great Copy Matters
View Laura’s BCI profile here

The freelance life is full of many highs and lows, and it can be easy to focus on the negative, worries and stresses. When things have felt stressful or a bit bleak, which I know it has done for the freelance community over the last 6 months or so (everyone is feeling it, it’s not just you!), then put the work in, get your head down, send out the emails, chase the leads, get back in touch with previous clients and trust the process. It works. Work comes in, clients get back in touch, and those invoices (finally!) come through.

Being part of a community of likeminded freelancers and solo workers really helps. I created a Slack community for freelance and solo workers in the South West, which has been a great place for us to share briefs, get advice. We also share the wins. It feels great to celebrate your milestones with others as they know the importance of them too!

Kerry Wheeler, Whee Design
View Kerry’s BCI profile here

Work out who you are before you offer services

The creative industry is becoming more and more specialised, so we (as companies or individuals) need to move with that trend ourselves. It’s good to have multiple offerings and skills but you open yourself up to more competition. So when it comes to marketing yourself, it’s better to be amazing at a couple of things than being ‘just good’ at too many things. Maybe you focus on editorial design or you might be an illustrator in the sports sector. This doesn’t mean turning away work that doesn’t suit your marketing; it’s just simply good to have a focus. This makes branding your company far less complicated and helps with consistency.

Create a content strategy

It’s important to show up to work. If you don’t, you get fired. The same thing happens if you’re freelance or a small business but instead, the clients forget about you. Building a consistent content strategy keeps you at the forefront of your audiences’ minds. Write short blogs about your sector, interact with your audience by having competitions or you could even do peer shout-outs. Just make it relevant and consistent.

Callum Crew, freelance graphic designer and art director
View Callum’s BCI profile here

Invest in your own brand

There are so many businesses out there doing the same or similar to you, so make sure you are really clear about who you are. Not just your services, but really what makes you tick, what makes your business individual and why clients should come to you. Look at what you are incredibly skilled at, knowledgeable about, understand and enjoy. Then build on it.

Keep moving forward

Stay relevant, understand the market, keep talking to people to learn more.  Just don’t get caught up in the jargon and hype. Your customers and clients won’t understand it, or care.

Be inspired by your own creativity

It’s your business so you should be excited by it. If you’re not then you’re probably on the wrong path. Look for the type of work you want to do and reflect it in your work. Talk to businesses that hold similar values. Follow people, brands and businesses on social media that give you fire in your belly. 

Care about what you do

Actually give a damn. Care if you get back to someone, care if it is right, care if you think it could be better. Care about what you do and others will too.

Face reality

Running your own show isn’t easy. Always be ready to change the plan, surround yourself with people that are genuinely on your side and want you to succeed. Above all, have the right mindset, stay positive and believe in your own ability. Then just when you’re about to give up, that’s when you need to push even harder.

Give back

It may be a portfolio review, your time, your advice, your energy, but give back when you can and do it genuinely and generously.

Alexandra Shallish, Not The Wolf
View Alexandra’s BCI profile here

Find yourself an accountability partner. When you’re running your own small business it’s important to have someone to talk to. When you don’t have a team of your own, find someone that understand’s the highs and lows of running a similar business. I have a weekly Friday afternoon Zoom call with another marketing consultant and we use it to share what we’ve been working on, what we’ve seen on social media and what we’re planning to work on next. Setting this up during Covid lockdowns, and continuing it since, has been one of the most valuable things I’ve ever done for my business and me personally.

Luan Wise, freelance marketing consultant
View Luan’s BCI profile here

Actively and regularly seek out your ideal clients

Sometimes money can overrule your decisions, whether on a practical basis of needing more of it, a big project that sounds too good to be true or it doesn’t quite feel like the right fit with your values and expertise. Working when you feel any kind of conflict (internally) can be really hard work for all involved. Don’t underestimate the strength of a long-term client that you align with and have trust and respect on both sides. Working with the career mentoring charity Ablaze for five years has been my biggest reward in terms of the value of the work they do and I support them with, and in being so consistent long-term.

Be alive to all opportunities

You never know what opportunities are behind someone’s ask for help on social media such as LinkedIn. I stepped in to some really interesting research work with Projects by IF through answering a last minute call for help when a team member got Covid. Plus chatting to a client via an introduction (thanks Constance Fleuriot!) at the Data Science Conference last year turned out they wanted help with a project researching the mental health ecosystem for their mental health app. Keep exploring and don’t miss opportunities on your own doorstep.

Helen Farmer, diversity, inclusion and social mobility consultant
Visit Helen’s BCI profile here

Climate/environment: Often an overlooked part of the business, it is important for you and your team to know where you stand. We are not talking about addressing global climate change, but rather what approach your business takes. Using something like the UN Global Sustainable Goals (SDGs) can be a useful tool to measure and monitor on-going improvement. Delegate this to one of your team who is passionate about climate and the environment.

Finance: Keep a close eye on financial health. Are you equipmed to do this yourself or should you delegate this and get someone to oversee this for you? Regularly analyse cash flow, manage expenses, and invest wisely to maintain stability and fuel growth.

IT/tech/web: Embrace technology to improve productivity and customer experience. An effective online presence and streamlined IT systems can enhance efficiency. Again, this can often be delegated to specialist that will advise, set up and keep your system safe. Don’t wait for the headache, scam, fraud, breach to hit you – anticipate and get an expert in to set you up.

Marketing: Develop a targeted marketing strategy to reach your ideal customers. Will you do this? Will one of your team? You know your business best, but are you best equipped to deliver this? Focus on cost-effective digital marketing channels that yield a high return on investment and consider whether you should do this internally or delegate it.

Mindset/culture/vision: This is so important and your team (and partners/freelancers) should be fully briefed on this. Keep an eye on it and cultivate a growth mindset and a clear vision for the business to share across your business, peers and clients.

Sales: Nurture a strong sales team and develop effective sales strategies. Consistent revenue generation is vital for business sustainability and expansion, and, a with ops and delivery, this is key to business growth. But should you be doing sales, or one of your team or outsource this? Only you can decide.

Franco de la Croix-Vaubois, Frog Events
View Franco’s BCI profile here

Be true to yourself, and be authentic. Take small steps if needed, celebrate all your successes, and try not to compare yourself to others. Set realistic goals, build a support network, and consider finding an accountability partner – someone who will listen impartially, remind you of your goals, and help you stay on track.

Rosia Curtis, writer, editor and fundraiser
View Rosia’s BCI profile here

The key to doing what I love and building great creative relationships is forging a true connection at a personal level – getting as close as possible is where I do my best work because then I’m fully invested in both head and heart.

Time and time again it’s over a coffee or a wine that the no holds barred honesty chats happen and reveal the truth of what is on the table and why you are the best person to help bring it to life. People love to talk so offering them the opportunity to be heard is where the magic happens. I’ve often thought I should list in my proposals: two, three, four hour coffee chats as a key stage in the creative process.

As human beings we love to find connections and then tell a story about how that relates to us – and as designers that’s how we create beautiful solutions by listening, understanding and simplifying the story to make it easier to understand.

Robin Worrall, Rednine
Visit Robin’s BCI profile here

Always deliver on time or slightly early.

Be clear and proactive with the client, especially about what they said they would do/by when. If their lateness impacts you, say so right away – in writing.

Always assume there will be some fallow months. Take out money that you need not what you want!

Build a nest egg – the bigger the better.

If buying in services, such as print, get payment from the client upfront. Always mark up such services.

Keep personal drawings and money separate from business revenue – they are not the same.

Always keep money in the business account for a rainy day – cash flow is king/queen and the tax authorities will need paying!

Consider a limited company but understand the differences versus self employed.

Andrew Clarke, Heads Up Hands On Consulting
View Andy’s BCI profile here

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If you come up with a great name for your creative business, you must do due diligence to make sure it’s available. Check on Google, check domain names, check Companies House and, most importantly, check at the Intellectual Property Office as a trademarked name trumps a limited company name. If it is available, trademark it.

Mark Epton, Advocate design agency
View Mark’s profile here

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Become an individual and startup member of Bristol Creative Industries from only £4.95 a month and enjoy many business-boosting benefits. Sign up here.

We are really proud to share that Varn has been recognised with a Highly Commended Award in The Small Business of the Year Award, at the prestigious Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards 2024. This highly competitive category was open to organisations with up to £5 million turnover in their last financial year. It celebrates companies that demonstrate strong growth & resilience, plans for sustained growth and innovation, as well as customer/staff engagement, an ethical approach to business and strong business results.

The Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards are the UK’s largest awards programme celebrating the best of British business. These awards welcome and celebrate businesses of all sizes, from entrepreneurial start-ups and SMEs to well-established key industry players in the FTSE 100.

Our award submission included the story of our growth as we’ve scaled from a small team of specialists to a team of 28 experts, in a challenging market. We also explored in our entry how we have innovated across our search expertise, developed our VarnFest events and reimagined the workspace with our woodland office. We were also proud to highlight to the BBEA our intentional approach to diversity and inclusion, giving back to our community and clients.

 

Tom Vaughton, CEO of Varn proudly shares that, “Being recognised in The Small Business of the Year category at the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards 2024, is a proud moment for me and the team. The process of compiling our award entry, made me reflect on the last few years, how Varn has grown, how fortunate we are with our team and how much I’m personally enjoying the journey. I now realise, this is really quite something after running Varn for over 14 years.”

If you would like to find out more about the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards or have any questions for our team, please get in touch and you can contact us here.

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 the natural result of redundancies due to the pandemic, new working relationships with employers following Covid-19 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 businesses the perfect platform to share skills and build connections.

There are many benefits of a Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership. See what some members have to say below.

To meet fellow freelancers and companies that employ them, join our freelancer networking drinks on 19 November at the Square Club in Bristol. It’s free including a complimentary drink if you’re a member.

Essential to the creative community

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.”

Carys Tait, independent illustrator and designer

“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!”

View Carys Tait’s profile.

Lara Candido Porter, copywriter

“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.”

View Lara Candido Porter’s profile.

Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership

Oliver Edwards, photographer

“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.”

View Oliver Edwards’ profile.

Luke Maitland, Animated Magic

“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.”

View Animated Magic’s profile.

Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership

Jenny Johnson, freelance designer

“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!”

View Jenny Johnson’s profile.

Get noticed with a Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership

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 startup 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 19 November at the Square Club in Bristol. It’s free including a complimentary drink if you’re a member.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the 2024 Autumn Budget 30 October, the first from the UK’s new Labour government. Here’s a round-up of measures and announcements relevant to businesses in the creative industries.

Describing it as a Budget “to fix the foundations”, the Treasury said “difficult decisions” had to be made “on tax, spending and welfare to restore economic and fiscal stability” to deal with a “£22bn black hole” in the public finances left by the previous government.

The announcements included £40bn in tax rises, with the big headline the increase in employer National Insurance which will add significant costs to many businesses.

We’ve listed the measures relevant to most businesses at the end of this article. Firstly, here are the announcements specific to the creative industries in the West of England region.

Continued funding for support and grant programmes

The Budget confirmed that the government will continue to fund the following creative industries programme:

The government said it will provide £3m in funding to expand the Creative Careers Programme, which raises awareness of career routes and tackles skills gaps in the key sector.

The Creative Industries Clusters programme, which has supported creative businesses in nine regional hubs, will continue to provide support over the next six years, with more clusters to be announced. Bristol and Bath was one of the regions supported between 2018 and 2024 through Bristol and Bath Creative R+D.

Creative industries in government’s industrial strategy

The Autumn Budget confirmed that the creatives industries is one of eight sectors of focus in the government’s vision for its new industrial strategy.

It has published a green paper and launched a public consultation. Read more details here.

Creative industries tax relief

The government said it is providing tax reliefs for the creative sector worth £15 billion over the next five years, and confirmed announcements from the previous government’s Spring 2024 Budget:

Audio-visual expenditure credit

From 1 April 2025, film and high-end TV productions will be able to claim an enhanced 39% rate on their UK visual effects costs. UK visual effects costs will be exempt from the credit’s 80% cap on qualifying expenditure, with costs incurred from 1 January 2025 eligible.

The previous government proposed that generative AI would not qualify for the additional tax relief for visual effects, but the new government has dropped that measure.

UK Screen Alliance said the move means that the UK is now set to attract an additional £175m per year of spending on VFX for film and TV, an increase of over 45%, and to create 2,800 new jobs.

Adrian Wootton OBE, chief executive of the British Film Commission, said:

“UK film and TV is globally admired, and a key sector driving economic growth. Our VFX sector is one of the jewels in the UK industry’s crown, with a depth of creative and technical expertise. But these are competitive times. Productions are looking globally for the best talent and incentives to guide their investment decisions.

“Any new measures must address intensifying global competition and help us put our best foot forward. Confirmation of the VFX tax credit increase doubles down on UK strengths and will drive up investment. It is not only welcome, but essential to support our sector and wider UK growth.

“We’re delighted that HM Treasury has listened to industry feedback on generative AI, and included these costs in the overall VFX tax credit enhancement. The BFC pressed for this in our consultation response and we believe this will play an important part in keeping our VFX sector future-proofed and globally competitive.”

Independent film tax credit

From 1 April 2025, UK films with budgets under £15m and a UK lead writer or director will be able to claim an enhanced 53% rate of audio-visual expenditure credit. Expenditure incurred from after 1 April 2024 on films that began principal photography on or after 1 April 2024 is eligible.

Theatre tax telief, orchestra tax relief and museums and galleries exhibitions tax relief

From 1 April 2025, the rates will be set at 40% for non-touring productions and 45% for touring productions and all orchestra productions.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

“The creative industries will play a critical role in helping us turn the corner and deliver on the national missions of this government – driving economic growth into our towns and cities; drawing on the wealth of talent that exists everywhere; and flying the flag for British culture and values on the world stage.

“The chancellor’s Budget underscored just how important these sectors are going to be with funding extended for vital programmes and tax reliefs, an expansion of the Creative Careers Programme and a £25m investment in the CrownWorks Studio in Sunderland that will make the city one of the centres of our TV and film industry for years to come.

“This government recognises that for millions of people, geography has become destiny. That while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. This Budget has put the creative industries front and centre of how we write those people back into our national story and drive opportunity, jobs and prosperity into every community, in every region.”

General Autumn Budget 2024 measures of interest to the creative industries

The following are announcements not specific to the creative industries but are of interest to businesses in the sector.

Increase in employer National Insurance

To fund public services, including the NHS and education, the government will increase employer National Insurance.

The rate will increase by 1.2 percentage points to 15% from 6 April 2025. The secondary threshold, the level at which employers become liable to pay National Insurance on each employee’s salary, will reduce from £9,100 per year to £5,000 per year.

Increase in employment allowance

To protest the smallest businesses from the National Insurance rise, the employment allowance will increase to £10,500 from £5,000 and be extended to all eligible employers by removing the £100,000 cap.

The government said this will allow firms to employ up to four National Living Wage workers full time without paying employer National Insurance.

Capital Gains Tax

The government will increase the lower and higher main rates of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to 18% and 24% respectively for disposals made on or after 30 October 2024.

Business Asset Disposal Relief, which entrepreneurs pay when they sell all or part of their business, and Investors’ Relief, which reduces CGT on a disposal of shares in a trading company that is not listed on a stock exchange, will increase to 14% from 6 April 2025, and to 18% from 6 April 2026.

Minimum wage increase

The National Living Wage for employees over 21 will increase by 6.7% to £12.21 an hour from April 2025. The government said this represents an increase of £1,400 in the annual earnings of a full-time worker

The National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds will rise by 16.3% to £10 an hour, the largest ever increase in both cash and percentage terms.

The government said that intends to create a single adult wage rate over time.

Bus fares in England

The cap on bus fares in England, due to end on 31 December 2024, will be retained until 31 December 2025, but with a 50% increase from £2 to £3.

Business rates

From 2026-27, “permanently lower” business rates rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England will be introduced. The government said “this will be funded sustainably by introducing a higher multiplier for the most valuable properties, including distribution warehouses used by online giants”.

Business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England, up to a cap of £110,000 per business, due to end in April 2025, will be retained for 2025-26. However, it will be cut from 75% to 40%.

The small business multiplier will be frozen in 2025-26.

Funding and support for small businesses

The government confirmed continued funding for small business finance schemes provided by the British Business Bank including £250m in 2024-25 and 2025-26 for Start Up Loans and the Growth Guarantee Scheme. To boost access to finance for women entrepreneurs, the bank will also invest £50m into female-led funds.

The Budget confirmed that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the government’s replacement for EU funding which was due to end in April 2025, will be extended for another year but with reduced funding of £900m.

The government will also continue to fund the Help to Grow: Management course and Growth Hubs in England in 2025-26.

Government’s small business strategy

A “Small Business Strategy Command Paper” will be published in 2025 that will “set out the government’s vision for supporting small businesses, from boosting scale-ups to growing the cooperative economy, across key policy areas such as creating thriving high streets, making it easier to access finance, opening up overseas and domestic markets, building business capabilities, and providing a strong business environment”.

 

 

The creatives industries is one of eight sectors of focus in the government’s vision for its new industrial strategy.

Publishing a green paper and launching a public consultation, the government said the strategy’s aim is to “drive long-term growth in key sectors that is sustainable, resilient and distributed across the country”.

In their foreward, chancellor Rachel Reeves and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds say:

“There is rapid change in the global economy, and the case for governments to roll up their sleeves and shape markets rather than step back in the face of these challenges is stronger than ever. To capture the growth the UK so desperately needs, we need a modern industrial strategy to share in the next decade’s growth opportunities.

“This industrial strategy will provide a launchpad for businesses. It provides the firm foundation for investment that businesses have told us they need. This government believes it is our role to provide the certainty that inspires confidence, allowing businesses to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond.”

The eight sectors the government will focus on are:

Summarising the UK’s creative industries, the green paper says:

“The UK’s creative industries are world-leading, showcasing the best of its creativity and culture to the world. According to UN Trade and Development, the UK is the third largest creative services exporter behind the US and Ireland, worth $87 billion in 2022. Globally, 1 in 10 songs streamed are from the UK.

“The UK is a global centre for screen production, with £4.23 billion in production spend in 2023, of which 78% was from inward investment. According to the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, the creative industries accounted for 67% of the UK’s digital exports in 2021.

“The sector is expected to grow worldwide, creating further growth opportunities. The sector is highly innovative, attracting significant inward investment and producing goods and services that are world renowned. PwC estimates that the global entertainment and media sector will grow to $3.4 trillion by 2028. Half of global trade is expected to be digital by 2050.

“To enable growth in the sector, the government will leverage UK creative industries’ global comparative advantages by unlocking private investment, boosting exports, and developing its highly skilled workforce. The government needs to ensure that the UK sector remains globally competitive as a home for world class talent while maximising access to important markets to tour and collaborate.

“The sector plays an important role in driving growth across regions and nations, through creative clusters and corridors across the country that spread opportunity and prosperity in communities, as well as driving growth by enhancing access to skills, spillovers, and knowledge sharing.”

Skills

Skills is a key area of focus for the government, with the green paper saying “the UK has a skills mismatch greater than many peer economies, with 10% of businesses reporting at least one skill shortage vacancy”.

It said the skills needs of employers vary according to their sector and geography, with one example given being the creative industries sector needing workers with skills in digital, design and data.

A key focus at Bristol Creative Industries is boosting workforce diversity in creative businesses and helping to grow the talent pipeline for our members through initiatives such as our groundbreaking Bristol Creative Industries Internship Programme with social enterprise Babbasa and Bristol-based agencies.

Local and regional growth

A core objective of the government’s industrial strategy is “unleashing the full potential of our cities and regions by attracting investment and creating the best environment for businesses in them to thrive”.

The green paper highlights areas where focused clusters already exist and have potential for growth. One of those mentioned is digital industries in Bristol.

How should the government support the creative industries?

The government is running a public consultation on the industrial strategy until 24 November.

We are interested to hear ideas for how the Bristol Creative Industries community think the creative sector should feature in the final industrial strategy. Send your ideas to Dan Martin.

Ahead of the 2024 general election, several BCI members told us how they would like to see the new government supporting creative businesses. Here are some of the responses:

“The creative industry faces two significant challenges: attracting and retaining skilled talent and securing financial support to facilitate investment and growth in a challenging economic environment.

“Many creative businesses are small and agile, enabling them to deliver results with minimal resources. However, for these businesses to reach their full potential, the next government must acknowledge the creative sector’s value and contribution to the UK economy and provide tangible support.

“That means offering tax incentives to small businesses and startups, increasing access to loans and grants – and not just for R&D – expanding and supporting creative apprenticeship programmes, and providing business support programmes specifically tailored for small and creative businesses.

“Finally, we need greater market visibility and opportunities to access national and international trade.”

Catherine Frankpitt, Strike Communications


“To continue building the creative sector, further focus needs to be placed on education, advocacy, and innovation, ensuring the sector not only survives but thrives in a rapidly changing world.

“Education is where it begins. The government must recruit and keep inspirational teachers who can inspire and cultivate the future generation of creative individuals. Quality educators play a crucial role in motivating students and equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in creative industries.

“It’s also crucial to advocate for the creative industry and change outdated perspectives to promote diverse career paths. Traditional career guidance often emphasises professions like policing or accounting, while overlooking the numerous opportunities available in creative industries. It’s important to shift this discussion in educational institutions, as well as with parents and the community, whilst showcasing success stories and the economic potential of creative careers.

“Innovation is at the heart of the UK’s creative accomplishments. For instance, consider Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s creation of the World Wide Web or the iconic design of the Mini car. These examples illustrate the UK’s leadership in problem-solving and generating new ideas. To continue this momentum, the government needs to provide support to creative start-ups, allocate funds for arts research and development, and promote collaborations between businesses and creative professionals.

“So, let’s remember what we’re good at as a nation, continue to nurture it, and constantly innovative, to remain at the global forefront of creativity.”

Ryan Wills, Taxi Studio


“The UK represents vast untapped potential for creative businesses. For young people, entry into the industry remains something of a closed shop, achieved via well-trodden paths. Any efforts to broaden these pathways are largely driven by charities or pro bono work by smaller businesses. So we’re undoubtedly missing out on millions of incredibly talented people, and they’re missing out on what could be exceptional careers.

“The incoming government should invest meaningfully in giving the next generation more exposure to what our industry can offer, and easier access to financial and professional support that would make a creative career a viable option for all, regardless of background. Then let’s see what we could achieve!”

Ailsa Billington, Proctor + Stevenson


“We are strong advocates that the next government must focus on digital skills education to help prepare our future creative industry workforce. We see investment in digital and AI education, skills, initiatives and training will be crucial for businesses like ours, so we can recruit exceptional talent for the future.

“We believe the next government must also foster collaborations between educational institutions and industry, to help bridge skills gaps and by investing in these, the government can empower and future proof the creative sector to help drive economic growth.”

Tom Vaughton, Varn

Bristol Creative Industries is delighted to be sponsoring Creative Day at Bristol Technology Festival 2024 alongside BCI members Aer Studios and MyWorld

Now in its sixth year and organised by techSPARK, Bristol Technology Festival is the UK’s largest regional technology festival.

It celebrates the awesome people, innovation, community and thriving tech scene in the city. We are excited to be involved and representing Bristol’s brilliant creative industries.

Each day of the festival from 7-11 October is themed. Thursday 10 October is Creative Day.

Here the brilliant free events to attend on Creative Day:

SXSW UK is being hosted WHERE?
MyWorld, 9.30 – 11am

…we all know it should have been here, right? Join us as we unlock the untapped potential of creative tech in the region and realise what it takes to position ourselves as rightful global leaders.

Fuelled by barista coffee and brunch, this interactive workshop invites participants to collaborate with key community figures and industry bodies to define what creative technology means to our community and chart a path forward.

Register here.



Panel: Setting the future vision of creative technology in the South West
Motion, 12.45 – 2pm

Join us for an engaging and interactive panel discussion that will dive into the future of creative technology in our region. Building on the insights from our morning workshop, our panel of industry experts will discuss the untapped potential of our sector and work together to define a shared vision for the future.

Meet the panel:

Register here.



MyWorld Creative Tech Showcase
Motion, 2 – 5pm

Join us and immerse yourself as we explore emerging technology innovations and trends, such as AI, immersive, gaming, sound and how they are going to continue to transform creative industries. The event showcases the technology that has been researched and developed through MyWorld.

Register here.



The Sheds studio tours
MyWorld, 9am – 5pm

Book a tour to look around MyWorld’s state of the art facilities at The Sheds and experience some of the innovative technical research being developed in the spaces.

Register here.


 

Meet Bristol Creative Industries

Tom Harber, Bristol Creative Industries board director and Aer Studios managing director, said:

“We see our involvement in Bristol Technology Festival as a meaningful step towards driving deeper collaboration with the tech sector and a stronger relationship with key organisation including techSPARK and MyWorld.

“Creative Day at Bristol Technology Festival provides a platform for Bristol Creative Industries to discuss the creative industries’ role in driving innovation in the region and will bring valuable insight for our members, as well as opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.”

If you’re new to Bristol Creative Industries, here’s a bit about us.

Founded in 2005 as Bristol Media, we’re  a community interest company that supports the creative sector to learn, grow and connect.

Driven by the common belief that we can do more collectively that alone, we’re about prosperity for creative businesses and that means attracting new talent and new customers.

In Bristol and across the region we:

We are supporting Bristol Technology Festival to foster greater collaboration across the sectors and create opportunities for insight and connections for our members.

To maximise the benefits of tthe Bristol Creative Industries network, support our work and help the region’s creative sector thrive, you can join as a member.

Look out for representatives of Bristol Creative Industries at Bristol Technology Festival events.

The creative industries are a vital component of the local economy and here at Bristol Creative Industries, we encourage young people to look to the sector for a rewarding and inspiring career. As modern technologies like gaming, VR and AI continue to develop, we need a new generation to take on the jobs of the future that the local economy needs if it is to thrive.

See below for our updated guide to creative industries-related further and higher education in Bristol, Bath, Weston-super-mare and beyond.

If you’re an employer or education provider, scroll to the end of the article to find out how to get involved in the Bristol Creative Industries Talent Programme, which is focused on boosting workforce diversity in creative businesses and helping to grow the talent pipeline.

School sixth forms

A selection of the creative post-16 courses offered by sixth form departments at Bristol schools and academies:

Bath Academy

Among the A-levels at Bath Academy are art and media studies.

Beechen Cliff

A-levels on offer at this Bath sixth form for boys include creative design and music.

Bristol Cathedral Choir School

Founded in 1140 as part of what was then Bristol Abbey, Bristol Cathedral Choir School is one of the city’s most popular sixth forms. Among the A-levels offered by the school are art, drama and music.

Bristol Grammar School

The sixth form at Bristol Grammar School offers creative IB Diploma and A-level courses including art, dance, drama and theatre studies, design technology, music and music technology.

The IB Diploma is an alternative to A-levels which the school describes as “offering breadth of learning as well as academic rigour”.

Bristol Free School

Opened in 2016, Bristol Free School offers A-levels alongside selected BTEC Level 3 courses. Creative courses include art, drama and theatre, music and music technology and photography.

Cabot Learning Federation Post 16

The Cabot Learning Federation Post 16 is an independent provision located in two of CLF’s 20 secondary academies; Bristol Brunel and John Cabot. Among the A-levels on offer are art and design, dance, music and photography.

King Edward’s School Bath

The sixth form at this school offers A-levels in subjects including art and photography, drama and theatre studies and music.

Kingswood Bath

The sixth form at this school offers A-levels including art, design and technology and drama and theatre.

North Bristol Post-16 Centre

The North Bristol Post 16 Centre is a collaboration between Cotham and Redland Green Schools. Creative A-levels include art, photography, film studies, and media studies.

St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School

Located near Bristol Temple Meads, creative A-levels offered by this school are art, film studies, media studies, music, music technology and theatre studies.

Sixth form colleges, further education colleges and specialist schools

Bath College

Providing education to 10,000 learners across two campuses, Bath College offers a wide range of courses including post-16, apprenticeships, part-time courses, traineeships and degree-level education.

Subjects include art and design, fashion and textiles, fashion business and retail, photography, graphic design, digital production, and performing arts.

City of Bristol College

As one of the South West’s largest further and higher education colleges, City of Bristol College operates from seven centres across the city. It offers a range of post-16 qualifications including A-levels, Level 2 Diplomas and BTEC Nationals.

For school leavers, several courses relevant to the creative industries are on offer. They include specialist subjects include visual arts and design, photography, fashion, performing arts and creative digital technologies (film and TV production, games design, computer graphics and animation).

The college also offers university-level creative arts and media courses in subjects including games design, animation and VFX, graphic design and photographic practices.

Abbeywood Community School

Abbeywood Community Schools is part of Olympus Post 16 with Bradley Stoke Community School and Winterbourne Academy.

Courses include art, design and technology, digital media, drama and theatre studies, film studies, music performance, music technology, photography and textile design.

Digitech Studio School

Digitech delivers a specialised curriculum for progression into the creative digital and high tech sectors. Studio schools are small by design and only take 90 students into each year group. The school opened in 2015 and moved into a new purpose-built building in Warmley in November 2016.

For years 12 and 13, Digitech offers courses in partnership with boomsatsuma (see below), Bristol School of Acting and Robins Foundation. They include digital media, e-sports, film and television, music, and photography.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

This college has six campuses.

The college has a very extensive programme of Level 2 and 3 courses including computer games design, film and TV production, music production and musical and technical theatre.

At university level, the college offers a range of courses at foundation degrees, many of which also offer the opportunity to top up to a full Bachelor’s degree by adding a year. Subjects include fine art, game art, media production and computer games design and production.

Since September 2022, the college has offered the new vocational skills focused T-levels. The two-year technical courses are equivalent to three A-Levels and include a 45-day work placement. Courses include digital production, design and development.

St Brendan’s Sixth Form College

This college provides a diverse range of over 60 different A-level and Level 3 Applied General courses to 16 – 18 year olds. Courses include media studies, music, music performance, music technology, textile design and graphic communication.

Weston College

Weston College has several creative industries-related diploma and extended diploma courses for 16-19 year-olds as part of Creative Arts Weston.

The departments are art, design, graphics and fashion; film and tv, media production, photography, game and animation; performing and production arts, and music.

Cirencester College

Creative courses at Cirencester College include craft and design (T-level), 3D design (A-level), digital foundation, digital media certificate, graphic communication (A-level), and photogrraphy (A-level).

Training providers

Access Creative College

Boasting ex-students including Ed Sheeran, Jess Glynne, Rita Ora and JP Cooper, Bristol Creative Industries member Access Creative College is a national college for young people looking for a career in the creative industries. It offers courses at various levels in subjects including games, animation and video effects, graphic and digital design, film, software development, video and photography and music technology.

In summer 2021, Access Creative College opened a new £5m games and media campus in Bristol city centre. It’s on the site of the former Bristol Bierkeller, host to Nirvana’s first ever UK gig, Slipknot, The Stone Roses and Arctic Monkeys. Facilities include a games lab, green screen studio, music tech suites, digital recording studio and band rehearsal studio.

Access runs degree courses in Bristol covering audio and music technology and music performance at dBS Institute, which it acquired in 2021.

boomsatsuma

Bristol Creative Industries member boomsatsuma is a specialist creative industries training provider. Courses take place in relevant professional environments in the city such as Leadworks, Ashton Gate Stadium, Bottle Yard Studios and Tobacco Factory.

boomsatsuma provides Level 3 Extended Diplomas, that are equivalent to 3 A-levels, as well as BA (Hons) and BSC (Hons) degrees. Courses include creative and digital media, film and television, games, VR and VFX and photography.

Creative Youth Network

As a registered charity, Creative Youth Network supports young people to reach their potential and enjoy fulfilling lives. It offers free courses in youth clubs and other venues in Bristol. Subjects include music, photography and song writing.

Creative Youth Network has opened The Courts in central Bristol. It is an enterprise hub, located in Bristol’s Old Magistrates’ Courts, where young people can explore their creative potential, receive support, access mentoring, and find meaningful work.

dBs Institute of Sound & Digital Technologies

Based in the centre of Bristol, dBs is a specialist educational institute that offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in music production, sound engineering, live sound, and game development.

It is a registered Avid Learning Partner (ALP) and Ableton Certified Training Centre that works with a wide range of creative industry organisations.

Students at dBs Institute can gain real-world experience alongside their studies thanks to dBs Pro, an in-house creative audio company. Students provide sound and music for film, television, video games, art installations and more.

Universities

University of the West of England

UWE’s School of Arts offers courses in subjects including drama, filmmaking, animation, photography, media production, journalism, creative and professional writing, film studies and media communications. There are also several fashion and design courses.

Facilities include film, photography and animation studios as well as drama, acting and music facilities.

Many graduates also enter the creatives industries after studying marketing courses at the UWE Business School. It includes the MSc in digital marketing, and MSc/postgraduate diploma/postgraduate certificate in marketing communications.

University of Bristol

UoB offers undergraduate degrees in film and television, music and theatre. Facilities include Wickham Theatre, a 24-hour rehearsal space, sound and design studios, carpentry and costume workshops, 214-seat cinema, 39-seat screening room, digital filmmaking equipment, production studios, animation and edit suites and sound rooms.

University of Bath

The University of Bath does not have specific creative industries courses as it focuses on engineering, humanities, management, science, and social science. However, its degree courses include management with marketing featuring a work placement.

Bath Spa University

Bath Spa offers courses in subjects including film, design, media communications, art and drama. Facilities include a theatre and TV studios.

The university also has the Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries (CCCI) which “aims to magnify research, engagement and discourse surrounding the theoretical, practical and commercial frameworks that embody the arts, media, or creative industries”.

University Centre Weston

UCW offers higher apprenticeships, full-time degrees and higher technical qualifications (HTQs) in partnership with UWE Bristol and Bath Spa University.

Courses covers subjects including art, film, game, graphic design, digital technologies, performance, production arts and music.

Apprenticeships and internships

Bristol Creative Industries jobs board

Members of Bristol Creative Industries sometimes post apprenticeship opportunities on the BCI jobs board. See the latest vacancies here.

National College Creative Industries

The National College Creative Industries (NCCI) offers specialist technical production and business support apprenticeships via Access Creative College. You can find the latest details on the NCCI website.

Channel 4

Channel 4, which has a Bristol office, offers apprenticeships. Find out more.

BBC

The BBC offers various TV production apprenticeship schemes, some of which are based in Bristol. See the latest opportunities here.

ITV Academy

ITV Academy provides traineeships and entry-level pathways into one of the world’s largest commercial production companies. See the latest opportunities here.

Babbasa

Babbasa offers many training and employment opportunities for young people. See the latest opportunities here.

Government apprenticeships website

Creative and design and digital apprenticeships are regularly listed on the government’s apprenticeships website. Search here.

Cirencester College

Circencester College offers apprenticeships in creative areas covering digital and IT, media broadcast and production, sales and marketing, and creative and digital.

The college provides intermediate, advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships.

UCAS

UCAS has a guide to creative and design apprenticeships here including a directory of relevant employers.

Discover Creative Careers

Discover Creative Careers has a guide to apprenticeship routes into the creative industries here.

This list is not exhaustive. Email Dan with suggestions of other educational institutions and companies we can add.

Bristol Creative Industries Talent Programme

A key focus at Bristol Creative Industries is boosting workforce diversity in creative businesses and helping to grow the talent pipeline for our members.

As well as our groundbreaking Bristol Creative Industries Intership Programme, we provide opportunities for members such as our partnerships with The Early Careers Foundation and Discover Creative Careers which allowed them to mentor and inspire young people about careers in the creative industries.

We have also committed to an annual programme of round tables with key post 16 education providers in the region including colleges, academies and universities.

Our aim is to promote creative careers to staff and career advisers, drive applications to our internship programme and explore how we can promote the creative industries to students already studying.

By joining the Bristol Creative Industries Talent Programme as a partner, you’ll help to fund all of our activities that support  underrepresented groups entering the creative industries. Your support is vital to ensure we have a healthy and diverse talent pipeline.

For more details, contact Alli Nicholas, BCI membership and operations manager, at alli@bristolcreativeindustries.com, or Lis Anderson, BCI co-chair, at lis@ambitiouspr.co.uk  

Future-proof your website: migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10

As the end of Drupal 7 support looms, it’s crucial for businesses to take action and migrate to Drupal 10. Staying on Drupal 7 puts your site at risk of security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and could even damage user experience (and your reputation).

Stay tuned to learn the essential steps to assess and optimise your current Drupal 7 site, establish a robust Drupal 10 environment, and ensure a seamless migration. By following this guide, you’ll not only protect your digital presence but also position your business for future growth and innovation.

Step 1:
Assess and optimise your Drupal 7 site

Secure a comprehensive backup
Protect your existing Drupal 7 site by securing a full backup. This safety net covers both your database and files, ensuring you’re prepared for a smooth transition.

Content and module audit
This is your chance to streamline your site. Identify the content and modules that drive your business. We’ll help you eliminate outdated or redundant elements, clearing the way for a leaner, more efficient site.

Update for stability
Ensure your Drupal 7 site is fully updated to the latest version. This step not only lays a stable foundation for migration but also presents an opportunity to patch any vulnerabilities and optimise performance before the big move.

Step 2:
Establish a future-ready Drupal 10 environment

Choose the right hosting
Select a hosting environment tailored to support Drupal 10’s advanced capabilities. This stage allows you to reassess your hosting needs and choose a platform that can scale with your business, ensuring long-term reliability and speed.

Deploy Drupal 10
Our team will handle the installation of Drupal 10, setting the stage for your site’s evolution. This is your opportunity to start fresh with the latest technology, ensuring your site is equipped to handle future growth and innovation.

Initial setup and configuration
We’ll configure your site’s basic settings, aligning it with your brand’s unique identity. This is the moment to revisit your site’s core settings and make improvements that reflect your current business objectives and user needs.

Step 3:
Migrate with precision and care

Activate migrate modules
Leverage the power of Drupal 10’s Migrate modules. Our experts will ensure they’re installed and ready to work their magic. This phase is an opportunity to refine the way your data is organised, improving site efficiency and data integrity.

Seamless content migration
We’ll meticulously migrate your content – from nodes to users, and beyond – ensuring your data arrives intact and ready to drive engagement. It’s the perfect time to clean up your content, ensuring only relevant and high-quality information makes the move.

Configuration migration
Transfer your site’s configurations with precision. Whether it’s content types or views, we ensure your site’s core functions are not just preserved but optimised for better performance and user experience in Drupal 10.

Step 4:
Rebuild, redesign, and revitalise

Custom module rebuild
Rebuilding custom modules in Drupal 10 isn’t just a task – it’s an opportunity to innovate. We’ll ensure your modules are not just replicated but enhanced for improved functionality, security, and speed.

Theme overhaul
Elevate your brand’s digital presence with a redesigned theme that’s fully compatible with Drupal 10’s cutting-edge standards. This is your chance to modernise your site’s look and feel, ensuring it reflects your brand’s evolution and appeals to your target audience.

Feature testing
We rigorously test all features to guarantee that your site performs flawlessly. This stage is crucial for identifying areas where user experience can be improved, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction.

Step 5:
Launch with confidence

Comprehensive testing and debugging
Before going live, we conduct extensive testing across all platforms. Our commitment is to iron out any issues, ensuring a smooth launch. This is the final opportunity to fine-tune your site, making sure it’s in peak condition for launch.

Content accuracy review
We perform a detailed review of your migrated content, ensuring everything is aligned with your business objectives and looks impeccable. Use this stage to ensure your content strategy is up-to-date and resonates with your audience.

Go live and thrive
Once we’ve ticked all the boxes, we’ll seamlessly transition your site to Drupal 10. This launch is more than just a migration; it’s an opportunity to reintroduce your brand to the market with a stronger, more powerful digital presence.

The risks of staying on Drupal 7 – don’t get left behind

Sticking with Drupal 7 now that support has ended is a risk your business can’t afford. Without security updates, your site becomes vulnerable to attacks, risking data breaches and downtime. The lack of updates also means your site will fall behind in performance, leading to poor user experience and potential loss of business opportunities.

The clock is ticking – don’t wait until it’s too late. Migrating to Drupal 10 isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a critical step in future-proofing your digital presence. With Drupal 7 reaching the end of its life, now is the time to act.

Book your FREE consultation

Ready to make the move? Let’s talk.

Book a free consultation with our Technology Director, Steve King, and Marketing and Business Development Director, Sophie Harris. Together, we’ll map out the perfect migration strategy for your business, ensuring a smooth transition that positions you ahead of the competition.

To schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a more secure, high-performing website contact us today.

Drupal 7 is nearing end of life – could Webflow be your new CMS?

You may not have heard: Drupal 7 reaches end of life in January…

Just kidding. Of COURSE you have. It’s been the talk of the digital town for a while now. Not to mention the source of quite a few headaches as businesses scramble to work out what the next move is.

What it comes down to is this: if your current site runs on Drupal 7, you need to choose a new content management system (CMS). And preferably sooner rather than later.

‘Why the urgency?’ we hear you cry. Because when security and software updates stop, your site will be at increased danger of security breaches. And you’ll find the performance of your website becoming increasingly compromised. Staying on the old platform is a case of diminishing returns and increasing risks.

Surely an upgrade to the latest Drupal version makes the most sense? After all, it’s done you proud so far. And you’re familiar with it. Well yes, there are plenty of reasons that make it a great option.

But it’s not a total no-brainer. Let’s delve into why.

It’s not just a case of ‘Copy’ and ‘Paste’

You might imagine that a move to the latest version of Drupal would simplify the migration process. If it’s the same provider then won’t it be easier to just take your existing content and place it in the new system?

Not quite. Given all the new features and functionalities that have been added between version 7 and the latest iterations, it is still a major undertaking.

But migration has the potential to be a lengthy process whichever platform you choose. So it’s important to make your decision carefully.

Hold on, how long will migration take?

We’re glad you asked! This does depend on the size of your website and the number of assets to be transferred. But let’s break down the steps you’ll need to take to get your new website up and running:

1.        Partner with an experienced web-migration expert who can help streamline the process, suggest new features and test it all before the final launch.

2.        Audit your existing website and make a note of all your pages, site functionalities and content, including page URLs.

3.        Create a new site and design a repeatable migration process to transfer all the content over from your existing site.

4.        Carry out multiple tests to ensure your new site will run smoothly after launch, replacing the test content with the final content when you are happy.

5.        Prepare to launch – set up the new site and switch your web address to the new version. Make sure all your webform submissions are safely migrated and you’re good to go.

That might sound daunting, but not only will migration future-proof your site it also offers some exciting possibilities.

New CMS, new opportunities

Chances are, you’ll have experienced a few issues with your old site. Choosing your new CMS is a great chance to iron some of these out. Plus add additional capabilities so you can showcase what you do in a more effective/dynamic way.

And it might be that Webflow gives you more flexibility.

Why Webflow might be the one for you

Once you’ve conducted your website audit (see step 1 above), you and your chosen migration partner will have a much clearer understanding of your new requirements. And, depending on what you need, Webflow might offer the best performance.

Streamlined from start to finish

Webflow represents something of a one-stop shop: its low code/no code approach means you don’t need a development team (or front-end and back-end developers) to create your website, and you don’t need painstakingly built plugins or modules.

Each software element is designed specifically to run on the platform. And you can choose from a vast array of third-party integrations. All of which makes your website simpler and faster to build. And adds up to faster page loads as there are no external layers to run.

The Webflow application will also save you time by managing the maintenance of your site and all your integrations, take care of CDM delivery and ensure the website stays live.

Even better, any future changes can be made by one designer and developed on the platform at the same time.

A creativity first approach

Webflow sees itself as a ‘visual-first’ platform which puts fewer boundaries in the way of your imagination.

Code-based websites require multiple steps to build as each iteration or change bounces back between design and development teams.

Webflow allows a designer to build out your site as they go. And with millions of third-party integration options available, it’s easy to find what you need to make your ideas come alive.

Enhanced scalability and SEO

You might be concerned that the low code/no code approach means your site will face limitations. That’s simply not the case. Webflow allows you to address global audiences with native localisation, which is excellent for boosting your SEO and allows you to build strong domain authority with each localisation sitting under a single URL.

We know that’s a lot to take in. If you’d like help making your decision, talk to our experts today.