BHCC - Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce

Creativity comes in many forms and some provide easier routes to earning a living than others. But is there a way to do more with the talents you have?

This event looks at ways you can branch out and develop your offerings in ways that can make your current work or business more sustainable as well as generating ideas that could identify totally new ways to make your creativity work better for you.

Our respected panel will share their own experiences within different creative industries to provide real life examples of how diversification has worked for them. The interactive Q&A format means that you can ask them how they did this including what worked and why. It is a great opportunity to take a fresh look at what you are doing and to find out if you're missing any potential lucrative tricks. 

No business jargon or boring speeches just practical advice that’s relevant for you.
There is also plenty of opportunity for networking, plus wine and nibbles.

Who’s on our panel?

Liz Whitehead, Co-founder and Co-director, Fabrica Gallery
Originally trained as an artist-maker, Liz worked in celebratory arts for twelve years on site-specific, participative projects, both as an artist and project manager with a range of organisations. At Fabrica her responsibilities include exhibition and education programming, where she leads on developing the philosophy, rationales and strategies for audience development. Liz is a firm believer in the benefits of diversification and works part-time for Fabrica providing her the flexibility to undertake freelance work either for income generation or personal and professional development.

Lesley Thomson, author
Lesley Thomson's writing career includes two novels: A Kind of Vanishing and Seven Miles From Sydney and non-fiction, Hold on to the Messy Times with Sue Johnstone. She has also been a regular reviewer for Time Out Magazine. Lesley has worked in a HIV charity, as a literary agency, a customer services manager for an internet service provider, a management consultant and has provided new business development and copy for design companies.

Jake Shillingford, Singer & Songwriter
Jake is the founder and songwriter of Brit Pop orchestral pop combo My Life story, who notched up 7 top 40 hits in the 1990's. One of the original so called DIY practitioners, Shillingford released the first ever internet only single in 1998, and his current imprint Exilophone Records, works on an entirely unique investment based business model outside of the mainstream industry. Jake returns to the stage with My Life Story reunion concert at London's Koko in November. He is also Head of Music Business for Brighton Institute of Modern Music.

Glen Poole, Neo Creative
Glen is communications director of Neo, the Brighton-based positive change agency. He is also a training fellow at the Henshall Centre in London, a freelance PR consultant working with national campaigns and brands, and a social entrepreneur who has launched the variety of social projects including Bounce Your Balls For Cancer and the Brighton Thinking Men's Project.

Paula Murray, Head of Culture & Economy, Brighton & Hove City Council will give a short talk and closing comments.
Paula was recently appointed Head of the Cuiture and Economy division in the Culture and Enterprise directorate. In her previous role as Head of Arts & Creative Industries she helped to drive the Creative Industries development in the city in recent years. This sector plays a vital role in our economy, particularly in terms of growing the significance of digital media and the need for the sector to collaborate to address the challenges they face.

Paula has worked extensively with the business community, public and third sector in Brighton & Hove and understands the importance of supporting and growing our business base in order to create and sustain employment.

The newly created Culture and Economy division recognises the link between the city's cultural offer and a strong and vibrant economy; closer working between the various teams within the division will further enhance the Council's ability to support the economic prosperity of the city.

This event will be chaired by Lisa Holloway
Lisa is Presenter and Marketing Director of Brighton’s popular media and arts event The Space, Chair of creative industries leadership group Creative Brighton, Fundraising Manager for The Great Escape music festival and a Creative Industries/Education Consultant. Lisa plays a Business Development role across the Theatre, Performance and Music departments of Northbrook College, where she also teaches a degree in Music Business.

When and where?

Date: Wednesday 7th October 2009
Venue: The Basement, Kensington Street, Brighton
Time: 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Cost: Free to attend but places are limited so please book in advance