We know that working for yourself can be brilliant, but it can also be messy, lonely, and full of questions no one really prepares you for. Pricing your work, finding clients, setting boundaries, building confidence, marketing yourself, and figuring out what kind of business you actually want, it all comes with the territory.
That’s where L&D Free Spirits comes in.
We’re here to help freelancers and independent professionals build sustainable, enjoyable businesses that work for them, not businesses that leave them burnt out and wondering why they started in the first place.
Whether you’re making the leap from employment, growing an established freelance business, or rethinking what success looks like for you, Free Spirits gives you practical support, honest conversations, and a community of people who get it.
Inside, you’ll find live webinars, business clinics, member-only resources, practical guides, networking opportunities, and a community that shares ideas, advice, and real-life experience without the fluff.
This isn’t just about Learning and Development in the traditional sense. We believe people development is bigger than that. If your work helps people learn, grow, perform, or thrive, you’re in the right place.
At its heart, L&D Free Spirits is about freedom, freedom to work in a way that suits your life, build a business around your strengths, and create success on your own terms.
Because being self-employed shouldn’t mean doing it alone.
Meet The Team
About Kim Ellis
Kim is the Founder and CEO of Free Spirits and the Chief Learning Architect of Go Ginger Learning Solutions. With two decades of experience in corporate Learning & Development, she’s passionate about creating dynamic, down-to-earth training solutions that actually make a difference – for both learners and the organisations they work in.
Her work spans in-person delivery, virtual training, eLearning and video – always shaped around the needs of the client, not just the tools available. She’s designed everything from contact centre onboarding and systems training to full-scale induction programmes, working across sectors including healthcare, finance, construction, transport and higher education.
Since going self-employed in 2017, Kim’s not only built a thriving L&D business – she’s also been a champion for others doing the same. As founder of the L&D Free Spirits community and a former Vice-Chair of The Learning Network, she’s known for supporting emerging freelancers and helping people navigate the realities of self-employed life.
Thinking of going freelance?
Not sure where to start – or if it’s even the right move for you?
Book a 90-minute deep dive call with Kim for £120 – or get it free as part of your L&D Free Spirits membership.
This isn’t a sales pitch or a generic chat – it’s a proper conversation about your situation. You’ll explore your ideas, dig into your plans, and get honest advice, practical steps, and real-world insight into what freelancing in people development actually looks like. Whether you’re just curious, feeling stuck or nearly ready to leap – you’ll leave with clarity, confidence and next steps that work for you.
About Andy Candler
Andy is Free Spirits’ biggest fan turned business partner. With nearly 40 years in digital learning, he was part of the early wave of eLearning in the 1990s, co-founding the World’s first digital agency.
After decades working inside agencies, Andy went freelance in 2025 and quickly found the L&D Free Spirits community. What started as a search for guidance on self-employed life soon became something more. The knowledge, generosity and straight-talking support from Kim and the community made a lasting impact.
Andy naturally began giving back, championing Free Spirits to others, running webinars, supporting events and earning his place as a Free Spirits Wizard.
Now, as COO and partner, he focuses on growing the community while protecting what makes it special. Practical support, honest conversations and a space where people can build a freelance life on their own terms.
Meet The Wizards
Meet Our Corporate Partners
We are thrilled to highlight our amazing corporate partners, a prestigious collective of companies passionate about Learning and Development (L&D) and committed to supporting the self-employed. These organisations are essential to L&D Free Spirits, aiding us in providing outstanding resources, events, and networking opportunities. With their support, our members gain access to the latest industry insights, driving their professional growth.
Maisey Marketing
Corporate Partner
Maisey Marketing is a small consultancy run by Hayley Maisey.
A Chartered Marketer with over 20 years’ experience, Hayley partners with small business owners who have limited marketing expertise and time. With strong leadership, she provides direction and a range of support services.
She’s largely collaborated with digital training providers, learning technology suppliers, learning consultants, and membership organisations across L&D.
Through Maisey Marketing and her previous employment at Brightwave Group/Capita Learning and The Association for Learning Technology, she’s built a solid network and developed a strong understanding of the industry.
Accentua
Corporate Partner
As a freelancer, your clients rely on you to deliver solutions – even when they involve languages you don’t speak. That’s where Accentua Group comes in. Specialising in expert translation and language services, Accentua Group ensures your projects shine across any language barrier.
Whether it’s translating technical documents, localising marketing materials, or bridging cultural gaps, their team of linguistic professionals has you covered. They can help you impress your clients with flawless communication, no matter the language.
CLO100
Corporate Partner
CLO100 support, develop, and connect Learning Leaders, empowering them to become influential strategic business partners. By aligning learning with organisational goals, we drive measurable outcomes and empower L&D Teams with the skills and resilience needed to excel in a constantly evolving world.
With a focus on connecting learning leaders, we’ve created a private community for trusted peer networks and collaboration, fostering psychological safety and shared growth.
By addressing key leadership needs and providing formal accreditation (Levels 5 & 7), CLO100 ensures L&D leaders can lead with confidence, progress their careers and make a meaningful impact within their organisation and industry.
