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12 May 2026
·
9 min
The rise of the blended workforce Britain’s freelance economy is changing fast. In this episode, Liz Barclay talks to Matt Dowling, founder of Freelancer Club, about the rise of flexible working, the pressures facing freelancers, and why businesses are increasingly building teams around freelance talent, remote working and AI. The discussion covers late payments, unpaid work, IR35, ethical hiring and the growing number of younger people turning to freelancing and side hustles as traditional employment models shift. Liz Barclay talks to Matt Dowling, founder of the Freelancer Club, discusses the club's origins and growth, which now boasts 75,000 members. Initially set up to address the lack of support for freelancers, the club offers education, community, and advocacy. Matt shares his personal journey from accidental freelancing to founding the club after facing an unpaid £11,000 invoice. He emphasizes the importance of adopting a business mindset, highlighting the need for freelancers to manage clients, pricing, and taxes. The club's educational division, launched eight years ago, provides courses and coaching, while its advocacy work includes campaigns like "No Free Work." The conversation explores: • Why freelancing is booming among younger generations • How AI, remote working and “blended workforces” are reshaping business • The growing role freelancers play inside companies • The continuing confusion around IR35 • Late payments, unpaid work and ethical hiring • Why businesses are increasingly building teams around flexible specialist talent Liz and Matt also discuss the human side of freelancing — from the pressures faced during the pandemic to the opportunities now opening up for a new generation choosing independence over traditional employment. Freelancer Club was founded after Matt Dowling lost £11,000 through an unpaid invoice while working as a freelance photographer — an experience that led him to campaign for fairer treatment and better support for freelancers across the UK. (talentedladiesclub.com) This episode is essential listening for freelancers, small business owners, employers and policymakers trying to understand where the future of work is heading.
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