This year, we’ve been privileged to host an exceptional lineup of expert talks and workshops, each carefully designed to address the real challenges our members face every day. From mastering the fundamentals of business planning to navigating the complexities of public sector work, our sessions have covered the full spectrum of skills needed to build a successful, sustainable freelance career.
The strength of any community lies in the knowledge and generosity of those who contribute to it. This year, we’ve been fortunate to work with some truly outstanding speakers who’ve shared their expertise, experiences, and insights with our members.
Emma Cragg set the tone for our year in January with a session on planning and goal setting. There’s something powerful about beginning the year with clarity and intention, and Emma helped our members do exactly that — translating ambitious dreams into actionable plans that would guide them throughout 2025.
In February, Sarah Waddington CBE brought her wealth of experience to a session on sales and negotiation. For many freelancers, talking about money and closing deals can feel uncomfortable, but Sarah demystified the process, showing our members that negotiation is simply about creating value for everyone involved.
Ellen Kate Boyle joined us to explore social media content pillars and planning, helping freelancers cut through the noise and develop a consistent, strategic approach to their online presence. In a world where visibility matters, Ellen’s insights proved invaluable for members looking to attract the right clients through social media.
March brought Riz Shahid, who tackled a topic that often causes freelancers anxiety: contracts and intellectual property. Understanding the legal side of freelancing isn’t just about protection—it’s about professionalism and confidence. Riz broke down complex concepts into practical, actionable guidance that our members could implement immediately.
Yulia Dzenkovska introduced us to AI tools for freelancers in a session that sparked so much interest, we invited her back for a deeper dive later in the year. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how we work, Yulia helped our members understand not just which tools to use, but how to integrate them thoughtfully into their workflows to enhance rather than replace their expertise.
In April, Di Gates shared her insights on collaborating effectively with clients. The difference between a one-off project and a long-term client relationship often comes down to how well we collaborate, communicate, and add value beyond our core deliverables. Di’s session reminded us that the best freelance businesses are built on strong partnerships.
Sophie Greenwood addressed one of the most pressing challenges freelancers face: capacity planning and burnout prevention. Freedom and flexibility are among the greatest benefits of freelance life, but without proper boundaries and planning, they can quickly become sources of stress. Sophie equipped our members with practical strategies to work sustainably and protect their wellbeing.
Alexandra Fearon joined us for a fireside chat about customer experience, bringing fresh perspectives on how freelancers can differentiate themselves through exceptional service. In competitive markets, the experience we create for our clients is often what sets us apart and generates those valuable referrals and repeat engagements.
Jeni Smith transformed how our members think about networking, moving beyond the uncomfortable “collecting business cards” model to something far more meaningful: building genuine connections with purpose and intention. For freelancers, our networks are our net worth, and Jeni showed us how to nurture relationships that truly matter.
We concluded our programme with a crucial session from NEPO and Executive Compass on accessing public sector opportunities. For many freelancers, public sector work remains an untapped market, often perceived as too complex or bureaucratic to navigate. This session broke down the barriers, showing members how to position themselves for these valuable contracts.
What makes these sessions truly valuable isn’t just the expertise our speakers bring—it’s the conversations they spark, the connections formed, and the confidence gained by our members. Each workshop has contributed to building stronger, more sustainable freelance businesses across the North East.
A heartfelt thank you to every speaker who has generously shared their time, knowledge, and expertise with our community this year. Your contributions have made a genuine difference to freelancers across the region.
Thank you also to everyone who attended, participated in discussions, asked thoughtful questions, and shared your own experiences. You are what makes this community thrive.
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re already planning an even more exciting programme of events and workshops. Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and succeeding together.
Are you a freelancer in the North East? Join us and be part of this vibrant, supportive community as we continue to learn and grow together. Become a member today.
