BONUS: Building longevity in a freelance world with Daniel Pearl
How do you build career paths and lasting teams in an industry built on short-term contracts? And what happens when traditional employment structures disappear, even at institutions like the BBC?
In this episode recorded at our Sheffield event, Dr Amit Patel is joined by Daniel Pearl, Creative Director at Lion Television, the company behind hit series such as Castaway, Britain's Biggest Dig and Horrible Histories. Daniel discusses the challenges of creating career stability and growth opportunities in today's fragmented screen industry where "everyone's a freelancer" and there is a lack of structured career progression.
Daniel discusses the reality facing creative leaders today, from receiving dozens of daily emails from people seeking work to witnessing talented professionals leave the industry entirely. He reveals how Lion Television, as part of the All3Media group, attempts to impose structure through longer contracts, cross-project team movement, and hands-on training opportunities, giving people real decision-making experience rather than just theoretical training.
The conversation explores practical approaches to talent retention, the loneliness of freelance work, and why creating connections between projects can make all the difference to both individual careers and business sustainability.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
This episode covers:
The reality of industry fragmentation and loss of traditional career structures
How longevity has become a key strategic focus for sustainable production companies
Making freelancers feel valued through longer contracts and cross-project movement
Hands-on training approaches: learning by doing rather than formal schemes
Practical approaches to creating career paths within production companies
CHAPTER MARKERS
(00:00) Introduction with Keith Arrowsmith
(01:47) The lack of Career Structure in the TV Industry
(03:31) Creating a Positive Workplace at Lion Television
(05:57) Training and Retaining Talent
(07:09) Diversity and Emerging Talent
(08:33) Conclusion and Resources
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Daniel Pearl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pearl-168a2132/
Lion Television: https://www.liontv.com/
All3Media: https://www.all3media.com/
--------
11:02
--------
11:02
BONUS: Hire standards: Elevating your recruitment game, with Sally Bendtson
What's the difference between recruiting in a rush and recruiting with purpose? And why does treating candidates with respect matter just as much as finding the right skills?
In this episode recorded at our Sheffield event Dr. Amit Patel is joined by Sally Bendtson, the founder of Limelight HR. With years of experience helping Screen Industry businesses build better teams, Sally breaks down why clarity and honest communication is crucial for a successful recruitment process.
From painting an authentic picture of why someone should want to work with you to making sure you don’t waste candidates' time, Sally shares practical insights into how to offer a recruitment process that works for both employers and applicants and will protect your company’s reputation. With advice about not overselling roles, following through on promises, and avoiding making decisions under pressure, this conversation provides a roadmap for recruitment processes that builds great teams.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
THIS EPISODE COVERS
Why clarity about what you need beats recruiting under pressure
Being respectful of candidates' time and building an industry reputation
Moving beyond familiar networks to find diverse talent
Creating compelling reasons for people to want to work with you
Following through on promises made during recruitment
Practical resources for small businesses without dedicated HR support
CHAPTER MARKERS
(00:00) Introduction with Keith Arrowsmith
(01:29) Finding the Right People for Your Team
(02:29) Respect and Efficiency in the Recruitment Process
(03:34) Attracting New Talent: Building a Compelling Workplace
(04:35) Maintaining a Positive Work Culture Post-Recruitment
(06:05) Workwise for Screen Resources
(07:22) Conclusions with Keith Arrowsmith
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Sally Bendtson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallybendtson/
Limelight HR: https://limelighthr.co.uk/about/
--------
10:06
--------
10:06
BONUS: How Team Satisfaction Fuels Creative Powerhouses, with Steve Wynne
What happens when someone who's always felt like an outsider builds a company that wins "Best Place to Work" not once, but twice? And how do you create an environment where genuine care for your team becomes your competitive advantage?
In this episode recorded at our live Sheffield event, Amit Patel is in conversation with Steve Wynne, the CEO of production company Strawberry Blond, to explore how unconventional leadership can build extraordinary workplace culture. From his working-class roots near Liverpool to founding a production company that prioritizes people over profit margins, Steve shares how questioning "the way things have always been done" led to sustainable success.
Steve reveals why he refuses to accept 12-hour shoots and how his team's recognition means more than any industry accolade.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
What it means to win workplace awards based on team feedback
Challenging industry norms around working hours and production culture
Why looking after junior team members should be a priority
The relationship between team wellbeing and business success
The value of questioning established practices
Chapter Markers
(00:00) Introduction with Keith Arrowsmith
(01:41) Strawberry Blonde's Best Place to Work Award
(02:17) Creating a Positive Company Culture
(04:02) Challenging Industry Norms
(08:32) The Role of Workwise for Screen
(11:16) Conclusion and Final Thoughts with Keith Arrowsmith
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Steve Wynne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynnesteve/
Strawberry Blond TV: https://www.strawberryblond.co.uk/
--------
14:22
--------
14:22
BONUS: Employment law and worker classification with Adam McGlynn
What's the difference between an employee, a worker, and a freelancer? And why does getting this classification wrong from the start risk costly consequences for your business?
In this bonus episode recorded at the 2025 Develop Brighton Event, we hear from Adam McGlynn, an Employment Associate at the legal firm Mishcon de Reya. He breaks down one of the most fundamental yet complex areas every creative business must navigate, understanding employment status and getting working classifications right from day one.
Adam cuts through the legal complexity to explain the practical implications of each employment classification. On one end of the scale, employees have various rights you need to consider, but you are able to exercise a lot of control over how they work. At the other end of the scale, employing freelancers gives you maximum flexibility when it comes to payment structures, but you can’t exercise as much control over their work and there are intellectual property considerations that often catch businesses off guard. With the UK's unique three-tier system of employee, worker, and self-employed creating both opportunities and pitfalls, this conversation provides essential clarity for anyone hiring talent in the screen industries.
From HMRC visits and potential criminal charges for tax miscategorisation, to the upcoming Employment Rights Bill changes under the Labour government, Adam shares why getting these fundamentals right isn't just about legal compliance, it's about creating sustainable, fair working relationships that protect both businesses and the people they work with.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
This episode covers:
The three employment classifications and what rights come with each
Control vs flexibility: understanding the trade-offs in different arrangements
Tax law vs employment law: why they're different and both matter
The Equality Act: when it applies and practical approaches to reasonable adjustments
The upcoming Employment Rights Bill changes and preparing for reform
Chapter Markers
(00:00) Introduction with Keith and Tacita
(01:25) Understanding Employment Types
(03:10) Freelancers and Flexibility
(04:47) Tax Implications and Legal Considerations
(06:55) Equality and Diversity in Recruitment
(09:02) Best Practices for Recruitment and Onboarding
(11:34) Conclusions with Keith and Tacita
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Adam McGlynn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-mcglynn/
Mishcon de Reya: https://www.mishcon.com/
HMRC Employment Status Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employed-or-self-employed
--------
16:59
--------
16:59
Everyone is an Apprentice: From Internship to Leadership in the Screen Industries, with Arit Eminue
How do you move beyond just getting people a foot in the door in the Screen Industry to helping them build meaningful, lasting careers? And how does a different attitude to lifelong learning help leadership to navigate changes in the industry?
In this episode, Arit Eminue, a talent and inclusion specialist and former founder of Diva Apprenticeships, joins Keith Arrowsmith and Tacita Small to talk about her journey from supporting over 2,000 individuals from underrepresented backgrounds into media roles, to now focusing on talent retention, development, and progression at leadership level.
Arit tells us about her experience at Diva Apprenticeships, including why she worked so hard to change perceptions around apprenticeships, and why she believes skills trump qualifications in recruitment. She also talks about why she chose to challenge the apprenticeship minimum wage, and how that can impact the talent pool available to recruiters.
Arit also shares insights from her current work, including why we shouldn’t be afraid of using AI, why learning agility matters more than traditional education, and how transparency and human connection remain crucial even as technology transforms how we work.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
This episode covers:
Breaking down biases around apprenticeships vs traditional education paths
Why skills and attitudes matter more than qualifications in recruitment
Fair pay for apprentices and why it matters for diversity
The role of AI in recruitment and seeing it as a tool, not a threat.
Learning agility as a lifelong skill for everyone to prepare teams for technological change and the future of work.
Chapter Markers
(00:00) Introduction with Keith and Tacita
(01:46) Diva Apprenticeships: Breaking Barriers
(03:29) Challenges and Successes in Apprenticeships
(05:18) Apprenticeships vs. Internships
(09:10) The Role of AI in Recruitment
(15:02) Fair Wages and Valuing Apprentices
(18:17) Continuous Learning and Industry Evolution
(20:55) Conclusions with Keith and Tacita
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
Arit Eminue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariteminue/
National Film and Television School (NFTS): https://nfts.co.uk
In the UK we have fantastic talent working across our industry from film to production, animation, VFX, gaming, distribution and exhibition. But as you know it's not an easy business to be in. We all grapple with complex questions around production and our working practices. On the WorkWise for Screen Podcast we’ll get the lowdown on all your legal and people management concerns from industry experts. The programme is an initiative to improve good working practices in the screen industries with the support of the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding. https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.
Netherlands