High-end television Regional Business and Finance Training Programme

• Do you work in High-end TV and have 3+ years’ scripted experience?
• Are you based in the English regions?
• Do you need strategies for making your freelance career more sustainable? 
• Do you want to gain confidence in managing your finances?

If you answered yes, this programme, delivered by Alison Grade, CEO of Mission Accomplished and author of The Freelance Bible, offers a practical and supportive way to develop the business, financial and strategic skills essential for a successful and sustainable freelance career in HETV.

This training is supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK high-end TV productions.

Who it's for

This programme is for freelance HETV professionals based in the English regions with 3 years + scripted experience and at least one HETV credit and will cover:

• How to plan your income and manage your finances across the year
• How to understand your personal cash flow and income needs
• Taking a business mindset and building the foundations for a sustainable freelance career
• How much you need to work to support yourself
• Key financial considerations including tax and working as a freelancer
• How mindset and planning can support a healthier work/life balance
• How to build a CV that clearly presents your skills and experience

Please note that this programme is only open to participants who are  based in the English regions (outside London/M25).

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

We offer inclusive training. If you have any needs which we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to meet them.

If you have any access needs or require any additional support to complete your application, please contact: hetv@mission.guru

What it covers

This business and finance training programme is designed for 50 freelance HETV professionals and will be delivered across 3 cohorts of approximately 15-18 people.

• Cohort 1 – Online only
• Cohort 2 – Online and in person session in Bristol 
• Cohort 3 – Online and in person session in Leeds

Training to cover:

• Thinking like a business
  • What does it mean to think like a business?
  • Planning ahead amidst a changing industry - be it regional. market disruptions and/or technology advances
  • Planning strategically for a long-term and sustainable career
  • Planning for myself in uncertain times – Guest Speaker, Sarah McCaffrey, Solas Mind

• Sustainable freelancing tools and strategies
  • Freelancer Finances
  • Building and leveraging your networks
  • Refining my CV for my audience and role
  • Role of portfolios
  • Pitching
  • Being the CEO of my freelance career

• Tax and NI for freelance crew (Guest Speaker John Prince, Accountant specialising in Film and TV)
  • Contractual status
  • Tax returns, payments on account and expenses
  • Making Tax Digital
  • VAT registration
  • IR35 when and where does it apply?

• Financial Planning (Guest Speaker, Emily Man, St. James’s Wealth Management, Financial Advisor specialising in Film and TV)
  • Savings strategies
  • Pensions – planning for and managing multiple pensions
  • Personal financial planning

• 1-2-1 CV/ portfolio reviews with Mission Accomplished
• Optional 1-2-1 with John Prince Accountancy
• Optional 1-2-1 with Emily Man, St. James’s Wealth Management

TRAINING DATES:

• Cohort 1 - Online delivery
  • Session 1 (online): Tuesday 15 September 2026  18:30-20:30
  • Session 2 (online): Saturday 19 September 2026 09:30-13:00
  • Session 3 (online): Saturday 26 September 2026 09:30-13:00 
  • Session 4 (online): Tuesday, 29 September 2026 18:30-20:30 
• Cohort 2 - Hybrid delivery (Bristol)
  • Session 1 (in person*): Saturday 10 October 2026  09:30-17:30
  • Session 2 (online): Tuesday 13 October 2026 18:00-21:00
• Cohort 3 - Hybrid delivery (Leeds)
  • Session 1 (in person*): Saturday 14 November 26  09:30-17:00
  • Session 2 (online): Monday 16 November 2026 18:00-21:00

* It is preferred that participants attend in person, however accommodation can be made to attend virtually.

How to apply

Thank you for your interest in the High-end TV Regional Business and Finance Training Programme.

Click the 'Apply Now' button to apply for a place on the programme.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and assessed on a first come, first served basis, so early application is encouraged.

Informal webinar - we will be running 2 additional informal webinars about this programme which you can sign up for via the 'Apply now' link to find out more.

• Saturday 11 July 2026 - 10:00 - 11:00 on Zoom
• Tuesday 22 September 2026 - 18:30 - 19:30 on Zoom

All webinars will be recorded for those unable to attend live.

Contact information

Email: hetv@mission.guru