We're Hiring!

Creative Forest (currently known as Folio) is a collective of professional arts and cultural organisations based in the New Forest, Hampshire.  Our organisations are diverse, and range from museums and galleries to music and theatre companies.

With Arts Council England support, in 2026, Creative Forest is seeking to commission two consultants to support the development of our partnership; One to lead a governance and operating review; And one to design a rebrand and communications strategy. We are also recruiting a freelance Co-ordinator to support partnership working over the next 12 months

Freelance Co-ordinator brief (fixed term for the initial ACE funding)

The Co-ordinator will be an organised administrator with strong communication skills and an ability to manage a diverse group of partners.

• Liaise with Folio partners - keep up to date on activities across the partners

• Manage the appointment process for a Freelance Governance specialist and a Freelance Re-brand specialist

• Coordinate Folio meetings (Chair to rotate around partners) – set an agenda and follow up notes

• Coordinate the role with HCT (Comms)

• Liaise with Folio to put in place development plans to continue funding of this role

This is a fixed term contract for 12 months. Approximately 2 days p/w but flexibility required in line with tasks. Fee £12,000.

Outcome

• Strong, consistent communication established across all Creative Forest (Folio) partner organisations, with the Co-ordinator maintaining an up-to-date overview of partner activity and priorities.

• Effective coordination and delivery of partnership meetings, including clear agendas, well-documented actions, and timely follow-up, supporting transparent and inclusive decision-making.

• Successful appointment and onboarding of a Freelance Governance and Operating Review consultant and a Freelance Rebrand and Communications consultant, ensuring commissioning processes are well managed and aligned with partnership objectives.

• Smooth liaison between Creative Forest, partners, and Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT) communications, ensuring joined-up messaging and coordinated activity.

• Improved partnership working through effective administration, information sharing, and relationship management across a diverse group of cultural organisations.

• Development planning in place to support continuation of the Co-ordinator role beyond the initial ACE funding period, including contributions to funding strategy discussions and applications.

• Increased organisational capacity and resilience for Creative Forest, enabling partners to focus on delivery while the partnership infrastructure is efficiently supported.

• Secure further funding to continue the role post 12 months.

Freelance Consultant Brief: Governance and Operating Review

Creative Forest is seeking a consultant to undertake a review of our ambitions, operating model, and governance. You will be an experienced arts consultant tasked with undertaking a review of our ambitions, operating model, and governance. Working with our group, your key objective will be to produce Partnership Agreement agreed and signed by us all, that defines Creative Forest’s purpose, objectives, governance structure, and membership terms, alongside clear resourcing plans ensuring the partnership is future-ready, inclusive of partner needs, and embedded in the management of the New Forest Cultural Strategy. The consultant will:

• Clarify Creative Forest’s ambitions and vision, defining the case for change and aligning with the New Forest Cultural Strategy and wider sector opportunities.

• Audit the current operating model, assessing governance, structure, and decision-making, and identifying strengths to retain and gaps to address.

• Facilitate workshops with partners to explore governance and operating model options, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives are embedded, and Creative Forest is positioned to deliver its core objectives plus the handover and management of the emerging New Forest Cultural Strategy.

• Develop and deliver a new Partnership Agreement setting out Creative Forest’s purpose, objectives, governance structure, and membership terms. For example, how and should Creative Forest be constituted?

• Produce clear plans for resourcing the partnership and guiding sustainable operations. Providing support in developing a funding application/s to secure any immediate resources required.

• Deliver the full recruitment process for a new role to support implementation of the agreement (job description, advertising, shortlisting, and appointment).

• Ensure cross-sector approaches are considered to position Creative Forest within wider regional and national contexts.

  
  

Fee: £5,000 (To be paid in 3 instalments)

Outcome

A signed and adopted Partnership Agreement that defines Creative Forest’s purpose, objectives, governance structure, and membership terms, alongside clear resourcing plans ensuring the partnership is future-ready, inclusive of partner needs, and embedded in the management of the New Forest Cultural Strategy.

Freelance Consultant Brief: Rebrand and Communications Strategy Design

Creative Forest is seeking a consultant to lead the design of a new brand identity and communications strategy, aligned with our refreshed purpose. You will be skilled to lead on the design of a strong and cohesive brand identity aligned with our refreshed purpose, and to develop a communication strategy and toolkit of design materials that enables Creative Forest and its partners to advocate effectively, raise visibility, and communicate a confident shared vision for the future. The consultant will:

• Clarify the purpose and vision for the rebrand, including alignment with the New Forest Cultural Strategy, strengthening sector advocacy, and ensuring sustainability.

• Audit the current identity (from Folio to Creative Forest), reviewing existing branding, communications, and audience perceptions, and identifying strengths and gaps.

• Develop a brand narrative and positioning that clearly tells Creative Forest’s story, aligned with Arts Council England priorities of creativity, inclusivity, place-making, and sustainability.

• Refresh the visual identity in collaboration with the partnership, commissioning and testing design concepts, and delivering a complete brand kit, guidelines, and all required assets for digital and print.

• Design a communications strategy that supports advocacy, raises the profile of arts in the New Forest and beyond, and provides partners with practical tools, confidence  and messaging.

• Co- deliver with the newly established role an implementation plan with recommendations on resourcing and practical steps for rollout across platforms, publicity, and advocacy materials.

  
  

Fee: £3000 (To be paid in two installments)

Outcome

The outcome will be a strong and cohesive brand, supported by a clear communications strategy and toolkit, that enables Creative Forest and its partners to advocate effectively, raise visibility, and communicate a confident shared vision for the future.

To apply, please write with a CV and covering letter outlining your relevant experience and availability to eloise@spud.org.uk. Deadline Friday 23^rd January 2026.