Icon Skills: Business Skills Foundation

Two-day online event taking place on 23 and 24 October 2025

Looking to move into private practice? Not sure where to start with finance, accounting, and law when running your own business? Want to implement a successful marketing plan?

Icon's Business Skills Foundation Programme is specially designed to support professional conservators currently working in, or considering moving into, private practice. Through four interlinked interactive sessions, we will outline the skills, knowledge, and understanding you need to work as a freelancer or small business owner.

Get ready to build your confidence and capability in key business areas and take your career to the next level.

Programme

Session 1: Getting your business head on

Speaker: Julie Hutchison
Date: 23 October 2025
Time: 11:30 to 13:00

Through an interactive session, Julie will talk about how conservators can get into the mindset of working as freelancers and running their own businesses.

  • Am I brave enough to do this?
  • What do I want to provide?
  • Who will be my clients?
  • How am I going to deliver this service/provide the product.
  • Where do I need to start? 

Session 2: Starting your business? Money, law and more!

Speaker: Andrew Evans
Date: 23 October 2025
Time: 14:00 to 15:30

  • What kind of business do you want? sole trading, limited company or Community Interest Company (including company registration and reporting requirements)
  • Banking - getting the right account(s) for your business
  • Finance - funding the first months, cash flow, loans and capital assets
  • Accounting - accounting systems (inc Quickbooks, Xero and Sage), finding an accountant
  • Working with others  - Employment (employing yourself, family members and others) and using freelancers/contractors

Session 3: Developing your marketing plan and presence

Speaker: Freddie Clough
Date: 24 October 2025
Time: 11:30 to 13:00

This session will take a step by step walk through the practicalities of developing your own marketing plan, and how you can put it into operation. It will include:

  • Defining and presenting your offer.
  • Your digital identity, website, email, social, blogs and more. 
  • Developing and using your professional network.
  • Cost-effective promotion and helpful business tools.

Session 4: Being Freelance

Speaker: Lorraine Finch ACR
Date: 24 October 2025
Time: 14:00 to 15:30

Working freelance is an option considered by many conservators. Some become freelance and some don’t. 'Being freelance' will look at:

  • Advantages of being freelance.
  • Disadvantages of being freelance.
  • Signposting to where you can get advice.
  • Finding local networks and resources.
  • Being adaptable and resilient.
  • Lessons I’ve learned.

 

Freddie Clough

Freddie Clough

Founder, Warrior Sq

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Andrew Evans

Andrew Evans

Associate, Counterculture

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Lorraine Finch ACR

Lorraine Finch ACR

Director, LF Conservation & Preservation

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Julie Hutchison

Julie Hutchison

Director, Think Be Do Leadership

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