David Cameron
Prime Minister
National Freelancers Day was launched in 2009 by PCG, the voice of freelancing, and UK wide events and webcasts focused on "the Future of Work". In 2010 the focus was "Freeing up potential", with special emphasis on the lifestyle choice offered by freelancing and the growing contribution the freelance community makes to the UK's economy.
In 2010 the focus was 'Freeing up potential', with special emphasis on the lifestyle choice offered by freelancing and the growing contribution the freelance community makes to the UK's economy.
The day featured webcasts, new research launched, a number of workshops (from Aberdeen to Brighton), the prestigious inaugural freelance lecture in the heart of London (broadcast live on the web for all those who couldn't get a ticket due to high demand or location), a 16 page supplement on Freelancing in the Telegraph and a letter from the Prime Minister, National Freelancers Day 2010 was a massive occasion that hugely raised the profile of freelancing in the UK.
Delivered to a packed Stationers’ Hall in London, this prestigious Freelance Lecture focussed on:
- How socio-economic trends are reshaping the notion of business
- What it will mean for the workforce
- Why freelancers are playing a more pivotal role
- How to position yourself as a freelancer within this new reality
The Freelance Lecture was delivered by Dr James Bellini, leading futurologist, broadcaster and, of course, freelancer. He was joined for a vibrant panel debate by PCG’s Managing Director John Brazier, Damian Reece, Business Editor for the Telegraph, Baroness Helen Liddell of Coatdyke, former BBC journalist and well know political figure and Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation.
The debate was superbly chaired by Sue Lawley freelance journalist and one of Britain’s best known broadcasters.
freelance lecture
The focal point for National Freelancers Day 2010 was the freelance lecture. Held at the prestigious Stationers Hall it was themed around the changing world of work.
The lecture was hosted by broadcast journalist Sue Lawley and included a keynote speech from futurologist Dr James Bellini.
Panel members for the debate also included PCG’s MD John Brazier, Damian Reece, Business Editor for the Telegraph.
Webcast: Escaping commoditisation with John Niland
John Niland, a coach at Success 121 and co-founder of the European Forum for Independent Professionals, talks about the need for a change of mindset to escape the commodity end of the market.
Market Research: The value of Freelancing
In the largest single piece of research ever conducted into the Freelance sector, Britain’s 1.4m freelance workers love life, are happier with their health, their financial situation, their prospects…and their wife, husband or partners!
In the run up to National Freelancers Day 2010, PCG ran a series of events, from Aberdeen to Brighton, giving freelancers the chance to brainstorm career-building challenges, such as increasing the clients percieved value, thriving in a buyer's market and looking at long and short term goals and strategies.
Without doubt the most valuable aspect of this research was providing a forum for freelancers to meet and exchange ideas.
We recorded these sessions on video (available below) to share the collective experience of those attending.
As part of the mastermind sessions we developed the freelance career ladder - an exploration of seven business models freelancers can use to build a successful career: Click here to download the Freelance Career Ladder report
Our 2010 National Freelancers Day went far and wide, touching 1 million people via social media and online. It also saw a supplement from the Daily Telegraph on Freelancing and a letter from the Prime Minister David Cameron. Within our reach section you can view and download the Telegraph supplement and letter.
Who engaged with NFD in 2010
Our 2010 National Freelancers Day went far and wide, touching 1 million people via social media and online. It also saw a supplement from the Daily Telegraph on Freelancing and a letter from the Prime Minister David Cameron. Within our reach section you can view and download the Telegraph supplement and letter.
2009 saw the launch of the very first National Freelancers Day. Scheduled on Monday 23rd November, as well as a network of c15 events (attended by close to 800 freelancers) focussed on the freelance model and how it is changing businesses up and down the UK, PCG hosted a webcast featuring leading names from the world of business looking at the relevance of freelancing in today's business culture, such as Michael Van Swaaij (then Chairman of Skype) and the indomitable Tom Farmer.
The biggest change since the industrial revolution
Dr James Bellini
Evolving trends completely reshaping the notion of business and why individuals in the new economy will be as important as a big company.
James Bellini is a respected futurologist, broadcaster and author focusing on socio-economic trends up to Horizon 2025. He is also Director of Content for www.talentfoundation.com, a cyber-clubhouse for individuals and businesses to discuss issues affecting talent management in the future.
It's about choice and balance
Michael van Swaaij
Skype and eBay’s experiences of striking the balance between a core internal team and expert help from outside, and why it is in everybody’s interest to let people choose how they want to work.
Michael is a global technology leader, currently Chairman of Skype and investor in www.crunch.co.uk. He was formerly the managing director of eBay Europe, where he started up and ran their European operations – it now has over 10 billion Euros per year in trade.
Optimistic about the future
Sir Tom Farmer
Sir Tom reflects on the role of freelancers in the success of the Kwik-Fit group and explains why for companies in the future "bigger" may in fact be "dimmer".
Sir Tom set up his first business in the motor trade in 1964. In 1971 he founded Kwik-Fit, which he later sold to the Ford Motor Company for over £1 billion. He is one of Britain’s foremost entrepreneurs and now oversees a portfolio of business investments.
Freelancers Speak Out
1,597 freelancers across the UK added to the debate on National Freelancers Day and took part in a research study carried out by ComRes and commissioned by PCG on what freelancing means for them.
