News / creatives
New platform to link freelance creatives with local businesses
A new Bristol-founded platform connecting freelance creatives with businesses has been officially launched after building a waiting list of more than 1,300 users.
Klio Creative links vetted designers, developers and digital creatives from across the South West with agencies and companies, promising a “more curated alternative to traditional freelance marketplaces”.
The new platform was recently unveiled at an official launch event at Hamilton House.
Bristol24/7 recently caught up with its co-founder Harry Davies on the reasons behind creating a new platform to bring together over a thousand freelancers under one collective umbrella.
Klio was co-founded by friends Harry Davies, Harry Wall and Jordan Evans – photo: Klio
Klio traces its beginnings to 2023 and enjoyed substantial growth during its first two years, which led to the recent rebranding.
Davies joined forces with graphic designer Harry Wall and programmer Jordan Evans back in 2023 when the trio launched the platform.
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That steady growth has seen the network expand to connect nearly 1,500 creatives across the region.
Davies is no stranger to industry contacts, having previously worked on projects connecting musicians and creatives.
Davies said: “We’ve done everything very organically – just being out in the community in Bristol and across the South West, building relationships face to face.”
“There’s an enormous amount of creative talent in the South West, but the way people find and work with freelancers hasn’t really caught up.”
The new platform was recently unveiled at an official launch event at Hamilton House – photo: Mitchell Williams
Davies said Klio is designed to create a genuine “symbiosis” between creatives and businesses, rather than acting as a “ job site”.
He said: “Klio exists to take some of the strain out of freelance life – making work easier to find and relationships easier to maintain.
“For businesses, it’s about finding vetted, available talent quickly – without wasting time searching through endless options.
“For freelancers, it’s not just a job board – it’s a hub to help them grow their creative business.”
Klio is a platform which connects local creatives with the businesses of the area and beyond – photo: Mitchell Williams
The platform was developed in response to growing pressures on freelancers, including inconsistent work and the need for constant self-promotion, as well as frustration among businesses trying to find reliable talent.
Following a year of private growth, the network has already supported early projects, hosted community events and partnered with regional creative organisations.
Davies, an avid cricket fan, remains pragmatic and says building a business can often mean “lots of hard work with little reward” at times, likening it to a Test match – knowing when to dig in and when to cut loose.
“There’s an enormous amount of creative talent in the South West, but the way people find and work with freelancers hasn’t really caught up,” said Harry Davies, co-founder of Klio – photo: Harry Davies
Among the creatives on Klio’s books are Kate Margolis, an award-winning creative with over 20 years’ experience; Celie Nigoumi, a photographer and facilitator; Shari Robertshaw, a product designer helping teams turn ideas into usable products and Max Phillips, an animator and mentor to up-and-coming creatives.
Freelancers of the platform have already worked with leading brands such as BMW, O2, EasyJet, Canon, UWE Bristol, Wiper & True and English Heritage.
Main photo: Mitchell Williams
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