The new Talent Retention project enables companies to track down the best freelance resources, post jobs and even share resources between companies when they need an extra pair of hands. It also enables freelancers or anyone seeking work within the creative industries to see what opportunities are available and apply direct. So if you’re a business looking for good freelancers, or a freelancer looking for your next opportunity, this is the place to look.

The system has been supported by the South West RDA and will be soft launched across the creative sector in Bristol from today and then rolled out across the wider region.

Mike Bennett CEO of Bristol Media stated:

“Creative businesses across the South West are always seeking experienced, talented staff and this project will enable companies to identify, in real-time, the availability of anyone seeking work, freelancers and skilled people, or people who are new to the area looking for the right opportunity."

Mike continued:

“There are certain skills gaps which require an entrepreneurial and creative approach to finding a solution. The new talent retention database will flag and alert businesses when someone with their desired skill set registers with the system, putting each party in touch immediately.”

Paul Appleby, Chair of Bristol Media agrees:



“The sector relies heavily on freelance, contract and temporary members of staff. More often than not businesses find it hard to track down the right people/resource in a timely and efficient manner to meet their needs. This system will contain a comprehensive database of all of these people, highlighting relevant skills and experience to ensure that when needed, both parties can make immediate contact.”

One of the unique elements of the Bristol Media Talent Retention project is the ability for companies to second staff with each other. If a company finds itself with resources that are not fully utilised, they can enter into an agreement with another company to share these resources for an agreed amount of time, with staff returning to the original company at the end of the secondment. Bristol Media has developed formal legal templates with its legal partner Thring Townsend Lee and Pembertons to ensure both parties’ interests are secure.

Mike stated:

“We’ve already started to do this on an informal basis between several design and digital agencies over the last couple of months and it has proved immensely beneficial….It takes collaboration and working together as a sector to another level which ultimately gives companies and staff a huge amount of flexibility, which is vital in these uncertain times.”

“This is the first creative industries initiative of its kind in the UK. We’ve held several sector get- togethers to promote the initiative and to highlight the database to business and freelance staff alike and it’s really important that, as of today, we push the project across Bristol Media to get as many members, companies and freelancers utilising the database.”

Any company or individual registering to be part of the scheme can also gain access to a whole host of extra support and guidance. This includes re-deployment support for individuals made redundant or at risk of being made redundant or tailor made one-to-one consultancy sessions for businesses.

If you would like to attend a future Talent Retention roundtables and session, or require further information please contact talent@bristolmedia.co.uk

The Talent Retention project was commissioned by the South West RDA and designed and built by Winchester Consulting Ltd.