The government has announced the appointment of two people to represent freelancers in the creative industries.
Leila D’Aronville and Lizzie Crump have been given the roles to advocate for the 703,000 self-employed people in the creative sector. Data for 2025 shows that 28.5% of sector’s 2.6 million workers were self-employed, compared to 14.8% for the wider economy.
The government said they “will work closely with industry, including the freelance community, to build an understanding of this often-overlooked section of the workforce and ensure its needs inform government thinking”.
Among their work will be supporting work to address the findings of the Good Work Review, which highlighted freelancers’ issues with unpaid work, limited opportunities for professional development, and difficult working environments.
Leila and Lizzie, who will sit on the Creative Industries Council, are both freelancers themselves. Leila is the founder of the North East Cultural Freelancers, a network supporting freelancers and small organisations in the region and Lizzie is one of the co-directors of What Next?, a free-to-access network for arts and culture.
They will be supported by Dave O’Brien, professor of cultural and creative industries at the University of Manchester, who joins the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on an academic secondment to provide research support.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“The creative industries are built on the talent and dedication of freelancers, from runners on film sets to session musicians in recording studios. They deserve fulfilment and support in their careers like anyone else in work, and that’s exactly what the appointment of the freelance champions sets out to do.
“We are committed to making sure the creative sector remains a place where everyone can build a rewarding and sustainable career, no matter where you live or what job you’re doing.”
Freelance champion Leila D’Aronville said:
“As someone who grew up in a freelancing family, and who continues to work freelance while championing the North East’s independent creative and cultural workforce, I know first-hand the pressures and possibilities that shape freelance lives. It’s why I’ve spent years advocating for better conditions, and why I’m honoured to take on this role.
“Freelancers are essential to the UK’s creative and cultural strength, yet too often misunderstood or overlooked. Lizzie and I are determined to change that. We will work with government, industry and freelancers themselves to build a fairer, more informed environment, one that recognises the realities of freelance work and supports people to build sustainable, rewarding careers.
“My commitment is to leave a legacy of greater fairness, clearer understanding and stronger foundations for creative and cultural freelancers.”
Freelance champion Lizzie Crump said:
“I have worked in sector support and in policy for many years, and as a freelance cultural worker for almost as long. I am delighted to have this opportunity to advocate for our worth and value, and for our sustainable and equitable future. We all need the tools, conditions, and infrastructure to meet the many new and existing challenges and opportunities on our horizon.
“Great policy is made when the people who it affects are heard and understood, and when decision-makers truly understand the issues and context they are working with. We will use this role to champion creative freelance voices at the heart of our systems, and to add value to the brilliant work that colleagues round the country are already doing in support of this agenda and each other.”
The government’s intention to appoint a freelance champion was first announced in its Creative Industries Sector Plan last year. It committed an initial £380 million for the creative industries, including Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North East, West of England, West Midlands and West Yorkshire receiving £25 million each to support creative sector businesses.
Last week, the government announced the Creative Trade Forum, a group of government and industry representatives focused on helping creatives sell more ideas, talent and products overseas.