Rebecca will break down the latest developments in employment law, copyright and IP, data protection, and AI regulation, translating them into clear, actionable guidance for agency leaders.
By the end of the session you will understand:
This session is designed to help creative digital agencies stay compliant, competitive, and resilient in a rapidly shifting regulatory landscape.
Rebecca Steer is an award winning business lawyer, long-time advisor to tech and creative digital businesses and friend of BCI. She advises many businesses in the creative and tech sectors and has a supportive and pragmatic style. Rebecca is a Partner at Keystone Law.
> BCI member tickets are £20 +VAT
> Non-member tickets are £45 +VAT
Not a BCI member? Read more about the benefits and join here.
For most self-employed people, 2025 hasn’t been easy. But before you call it a year and put on the Wham! … were there some pearls of wisdom to glean from the fog? Some glimmers of clarity amid the uncertainty and confusion? And, despite what your brain’s negativity bias is telling you, some of your proudest achievements yet?
Whether you’re racing to the finish line or starting to wind things down, it’s always valuable to look back on the year that was — particularly when you’re self-employed and need to take care of your own performance review/bonus/Christmas party.
If you could do with a nudge to carve out some time for both inner and strategic reflection, join me for a relaxed, guided workshop to mull over (pardon the pun) everything you learned in 2025.
Who is this for?
This workshop is designed for freelancers, business owners and self-employed people. Whether you’ve had a fantastic year or a sh*t one, there’ll be something to take from it: strategic clarity, a different emotional perspective, and renewed faith, courage, and self-compassion.
Meet your host, Lucia Fontaina-Powell from More To Life
I’m an accredited life & career coach and a fellow self-employed person.
I work with independent spirits navigating the rollercoaster ride of self-employment—offering a friendly sounding board and psychology-based insight to comb through the emotional and existential tangles of working for yourself (from self-doubt to setting boundaries).
I’ll be walking you through the exact method I use to conduct my own “annual reviews”: exercises I use with my clients, and journalling prompts inspired by by own experience.
What to expect
Because calendars get a bit stacked at this time of year, we’ll be meeting on our lunch break over Zoom. There will also be a recording if you can’t make it live.
I’ll be guiding you through a series of reflective exercises and journalling prompts designed to help you take stock of 2025, and feel optimistic about the year ahead.
Questions and sharing is welcome, but this workshop is designed to give you quiet time with your own thoughts. You’re welcome to keep your cameras off and you won’t have to interact if you don’t want to.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have:
– A different perspective on what you’ve “achieved” —transcending clients booked and revenue earned
– Insights on where you’ve grown—not just in business, but as a person—to inform your decisions moving forwards
– Clarity on intentions, priorities, and next steps for 2026
– A sense of appreciation for your journey
What you’ll need
Something to write with and whatever else makes you feel comfortable and centred (jazz in the background, incense burning, pets, etc.).
This is optional, but it may also help to bring:
– Any goals, intentions, or visions you set at the beginning of 2025
– A record of what you’re worked on, if you need a reminder
What not to expect
This isn’t going to be a year in numbers. These prompts will be focused on your thoughts, feelings and identity as a freelancer or business owner. Going deeper than MRR and profit to get you thinking about how you’re creating a life and career on your terms—defining your own version of success, rather than measuring it through other people’s.
Any questions, email me at [email protected].
Learn more about More To Life here: https://moretolifecoach.co.uk/home
2026 is fast approaching and for most agencies, the market’s not slowing down. Budgets are tighter, teams are stretched and AI is quietly reshaping how work gets done and what clients are willing to pay for.
In this short, practical session, we will share what we’re seeing inside ambitious agencies and the three financial actions that are helping them protect profit, plan with confidence and stay ahead of the curve.
This isn’t another finance lecture – it’s a strategic look at how to future-proof your agency’s finances before January and not to be missed.
After the session, you’ll walk away with:
– A clear view of what’s working for profitable agencies right now.
– A summary of the 2026 UK Budget and what it means for you.
– 2026 trends that will impact your finances.
– Simple ways to tighten your financial systems, ready for January.
– A new way to think about pricing, planning and cash flow.
These confidential sessions are an opportunity to take time out of the doing and spend a moment thinking.
You may be feeling lost, at a crossroads, or unsure what direction to take next in your career. Each session will be tailored to your specific concerns so that you leave feeling lighter and clearer on your path. Kate has a warm, gently challenging style that will put you at ease whilst drawing out the heart of the issue and guiding you to your next step.
Kate has over 7 years experience supporting individuals across the creative and tech industries in their careers. She’s accredited at Senior Practitioner level with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and holds a PG Cert in Personal and Professional Coaching from the University of Chester.
When you feel stuck in a rut, having external guidance can be the key to unlocking new perspectives and fresh momentum.
These sessions are available to all BCI members FREE OF CHARGE, and are delivered in collaboration with Kate Maxwell Coaching.
After booking, we will send you a meeting link the week before the session.
If you’re not yet a member of Bristol Creative Industries and would like to take advantage of this member-only opportunity, you can sign up here. You can also read about the membership perks here.
Charity Freelancers Bristol would love to welcome local charity freelancers and consultants to our last meet-up of 2025. Join us for networking and co-working, and/or stay for lunch and mulled wine/juice! Wednesday 3rd December, 10am-2pm at the Watershed.
We are a recently formed group that aims to bring together local charity professionals from across Bristol and the surrounding area. We meet monthly to socialise, share tips and experiences, and provide opportunities for collaborations and work referrals.
If you would like to attend on December 3rd and/or join our WhatsApp or Facebook groups then please email Rosia Curtis or Jess Augarde: [email protected]; [email protected]
The Winter Warmer
Gentle Year-End Journaling Session for Career Clarity
Step into a time outside of time, carved out, soft, dark and warm, the smell of hot cocoa mixing with smoke from the match you just struck.
A candle lit, a notebook ready, time to pause.
The Winter Warmer is a free, cozy, 60-minute digital gathering for media and tech folks who’ve had a year. You’ll get space to reflect on what this season of work and life was really about.
And what you’re ready to leave behind.
No breakout rooms and no pressure to plan your entire life (for real, we won’t be setting any goals or resolutions)
Just a quiet hour to:
Honour what 2025 taught you (the hard, the good, and the in-between)
Get clearer on what not to repeat in 2026
Reconnect with the part of you that still knows where you’re headed
Come as you are. Blanket optional, journal required, hot bev encouraged.
So before the hectic energy of Christmas gets in full swing, and before you head into the end of the year with all those tabs open (digital and psychological), come take a beat with me.
Live-Only Gift:
Everyone who joins live will receive a beautifully crafted journal prompt to help you hold onto this clarity, it’ll be in your inbox January 1st to create continuity between these reflections and the new year energy.
Replay will be emailed to everyone who registers!
Hosted by me, Kate Maxwell, Career Direction Coach
I’ll share more about my offers and how they can support you in 2026. Including Charted:
Charted is the 1:1 coaching programme for Media & Tech Pros who want to find a clear sense of direction for the next stage in their career.
Over 6 weeks, you’ll access the coaching, tools and frameworks you need to transform your uncertainty into a plan of action and step into your new chapter.
Prices increase Jan 1st 2026, to secure the current rate (£585) book now.
If your year has been loud, let this time be quiet. See you on then!
Curious about scientific publishing but not sure where to start?
Did you know scientific publishing isn’t just about journals?
It’s a dynamic, global industry at the heart of sharing discoveries with the world. From editing and peer review to author engagement and open science, there are many exciting career paths where your skills can make an impact.
Creative Access is teaming up with leading scientific publisher IOP Publishing to host a free webinar, where our panel will demystify the world of scientific publishing and share insider tips on how to build a career in the industry. IOP Publishing is committed to advancing knowledge through high-quality journals and digital content.
Join us to hear from professionals at various stages of their publishing careers as they share their journeys, from what a typical day looks like to practical advice for breaking into the industry. You’ll learn what publishing really involves, the different routes in, and how to make your applications stand out.
This event is perfect for:
Meet the panel:
Shalini Menon – associate editor, IOP Publishing
Alex Toporkov – research integrity officer, IOP Publishing
Rob Freeman – associate editor, IOP Publishing
Aswathy Girjia – subject commissioning editor, IOP Publishing
In this session, you’ll discover:
You are warmly invited for a mid-week meetup for women who live or work in Bristol, particularly anyone working for creative social change in communities, innovation or enterprise.
We will start with a welcome, introductions and coffee in the beautiful lounge at The Square Club.
After a round of sharing our interests and focus for the morning, the time is yours to either co-work or network.
We would love to meet you and learn more about what you are working on, share helpful connections and encourage one another. In the spirit of the RSA “We believe everyone has the potential and creativity to effect change. Our mission is to enable people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony. Our vision is for a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to more resilient, rebalanced and regenerative futures.”
~~~
Date: Wednesday 19th November
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Location: The lounge at The Square Club
Host: RSA Fellowship
Tickets: Free for all
Parking: Pay & Display on Berkeley Square
As part of our membership network, we have 300 freelancers working within the creative industries. Life can sometimes feel a bit lonely as a freelancer so a networking event like this is an opportunity to meet others in the same position. It’s the perfect chance to catch up with old friends and meet plenty of new faces too!
This event is open to freelancers as well as anyone who regularly engages with freelancers. It will allow you to widen networks, make new connections, discuss common problems, and discover potential opportunities for collaboration going forward. You’ll be sure to head home with a new contact.
The drinks will be held in the lower deck at The Square Club on Berkeley Square. We’ll have a private bar to purchase drinks, plus the food menu will be available if anyone fancies something to eat.
Tickets for BCI members are FREE and include a drinks token for the bar. Tickets for non-members are £5 +VAT.
This event is held 5 times per year so do save the future dates for your diaries so you don’t miss them!
If you’re not yet a member of Bristol Creative Industries and would like to take advantage of this event, you can sign up here. You can also read about the membership perks here.
Click below to register your place!
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