We would like to introduce you to our 6 very diverse finalists from across the UK - our winners will be announce on Thursday 13 June at our award ceremony in London
@ Nisha Haq Photography
This year's finalists are:
Alexandra Hardwick, graphic designer
Alexandra founded Line and Dot Creative Agency in 2014 specialising in web and print design projects for charities, social impact projects, SMEs and fashion brands. She started her career as a designer for the British Heart Foundation. She then went on to a global fashion branding agency, working with brands such as Stella McCartney, Adidas, Hugo Boss and Disney.Alex’s extensive experience in fashion enables fast paced, innovation-led design and creativity. She applies this creativity and structure to developing charitable and community projects.
@ Nisha Haq Photography
Rachel Mason, songwriter, musical director, arranger and vocal coach.
Rachel is an award-winning songwriter, musical director, arranger and vocal coach. She was an expert judge for Sky One's National Television Award-nominated show, Sing: Ultimate A Cappella, during which she worked with musicians ranging from Midge Ure to The Vamps.
@ Nisha Haq Photography
Elise Ciampaglia, florist
Elise Ciampaglia is a freelance specialist wedding florist based in Hampshire. She has won wedding industry and business awards, including Best Customer Service at the 2014 New Enterprise Allowance Awards. She was also a finalist in the 2016 British Small Business Awards for Sole Trader of the Year. Elise plans to open a wedding venue with a florist workshop on-site, so the two businesses can feed into one another.
@ Nisha Haq Photography
Colin Stuart, astronomy author and speaker
Colin is an astronomy author and speaker who has talked to half a million people about the universe. His books have sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide and been translated into 19 languages. He's written over 150 popular science articles for The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, New Scientist and the European Space Agency among many others. In 2014 he was runner-up in the European Astronomy Journalism Prize.
@ Nisha Haq Photography
Kate Taylor, writer/sex expert
Kate has been a freelance writer, specialising in dating, relationships and sex, for 23 years. In that time she’s written 5 books, two online courses, and thousands of articles for magazines and newspapers including The Sun, The Guardian, The Observer, Men’s Health, More!, and Glamour. She was also GQ’s Sex Columnist for five years.
She presented two series of Sex Tips for Girls on Channel Four, and worked with match.com as their Dating Expert for a decade. She was also voted Dating Writer of the Year in the 2017 UK Dating Awards. Kate now helps the over-50s in their search for love as the Dating Expert for OurTime.co.ukand Readers Digest.
@ Nisha Haq Photography
Loksan Harley, policy analyst, project manager and researcher
Loksan is an independent policy analyst, project manager and researcher. He has been a freelancer for over five years, during which time he has been based in Burkina Faso, China, India and the UK.He works most extensively with the United Nations. On behalf of the UN, he has advised the European Commission on migration-related international development programmes, as well as various African governments on human trafficking and migrant smuggling policies. He has also provided strategic advice to NGOs like Save the Children and Catholic Relief Services.
You have the opportunity to join us at the Freelancer Awards Ceremony on the 13th of June, aswell as our conference a week later - National Freelancers Day, with our Premium Ticket package.
