Freelancer Network Future Studio Launches

In the UK two former employees of qual firm The Sound, James McLintock and Stuart Knapman, have founded a network called the Future Studio, comprising nine independent insight, strategy and innovation specialists who are already working with agencies and clients in the UK, US and LATAM.

In a statement, McLintock and Knapman say they have set up the collective to counter the feelings of isolation experienced by freelancers, give them some of the 'camaraderie' they were missing, and provide them with a supportive community. In addition, the Future Studio provides a legal entity through which it can operate outside of IR35 status (introduced by HMRC to assess whether a freelancer providing their services to an organisation through a limited company is considered a genuine freelancer or is operating as an employee).

Future Studio won't make any profit, so any retained cash will be spent on development and 'fun' for what it calls its 'family'. Commenting on the launch, McLintock says: 'We wanted to make it easier for freelance specialists to work together, and to address some of the problems associated with working independently, like loneliness, disconnection and self-doubt. The response we've had on LinkedIn has been way beyond what we anticipated, so we're now looking into what else we can do to enable more collaboration and support between freelancers'.

Web site: www.futurestudio.io .