Alison Grade

Alison Grade is an accomplished entrepreneur, author, and consultant with a diverse background in the creative industries, particularly in film and television. She is best known for her bestselling book, The Freelance Bible, which serves as a guide for aspiring freelancers in the creative sector. Alison combines her extensive experience in media production with academic credentials, including a degree from Cambridge and an MBA from INSEAD, to provide strategic insights and mentorship to creatives and small businesses.

Professional Background

• Creative Experience: Alison has produced over 7,000 minutes of film and television content and has worked on various projects across documentaries, drama, and animation with budgets exceeding £20 million.1
• Consultancy and Mentorship: She has mentored numerous entrepreneurs and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) through various programs associated with universities, the BBC, and NGOs. Her mentoring approach is noted for being both practical and insightful.12
• Academic Contributions: Alison has developed and delivered courses for BA and MA programs at several universities, indicating her commitment to education in the creative fields.1

Current Role

Alison is involved with the Create Central Skills Accelerator, which aims to enhance skills within the creative industries. This initiative is designed to empower individuals to step up into leadership roles such as Heads of Departments (HODs) in creative organizations. Her experience as a non-executive director and interim consultant further supports her capability to guide organizations in realizing their strategic goals.12

Impact

Alison's influence extends beyond her direct work; she is recognized for transforming the careers of many freelancers and creatives through her guidance on business strategy, intellectual property rights, and monetization of creative ideas. Her practical advice has been praised by peers in the industry.12

In summary, Alison Grade stands out as a pivotal figure in the creative industries, leveraging her unique blend of experience to foster growth and innovation among freelancers and businesses alike.