CHANGING THE
ALICE WEIGHTMAN, CEO AND FOUNDER
As a full-time mother running my own executive search firm, I saw the problem everywhere. I knew dozens of bright, talented women who wanted to keep working, but who weren’t prepared to sacrifice their families. At the same time, my clients – all of them in marketing and communications – were finding it difficult to source the talent they needed. And they worried about losing the women at the top of their businesses. That was when I decided it was time for work to change for the better. So I launched The Work Crowd – a global platform that could connect businesses with the talent they need while helping people find work that works for them. Today, that vision has become a reality. And while we may have started in the UK, our sights are now set on changing work for the better everywhere. In fact, almost a quarter of our members are now based in Europe and the Middle East, with more joining every day. We believe great work is about what you do, not where you do it. It seems we’re not alone in that.
THE TEAM
We love meeting like-minded people and are passionate about everyone
having a happier working life. Please reach out if you think we can ever help.
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Qawelesizwe Mlilo
Technical Lead
Just as in James Bond, Q is head of our research and development here at The Work Crowd. The Technical Lead with expertise in PHP, Javascript, Node.js, SQL, HTML5, GIT, MySQL, Postgres and MongoDB.
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Madeleine Weightman
Co-Founder and COO
I co-founded The Work Crowd with my sister, Alice, after freelancing for a couple of years. My goal was to support other individuals on their entrepreneurial journey as independents and to provide businesses access to a trusted network of agile, highly skilled talent. Having witnessed firsthand the incredible impact this talent can bring, I believe it drives innovation and fresh thinking, enabling companies to scale effectively. With an entrepreneurial background, I previously established Conspicuous, a recruitment business, launched Women in Technology, a female-focused technology network, and gained experience in finance and leisure. I’m passionate about how communications and technology together can reach and engage new audiences globally. If you’re looking for support to build your career as a freelancer or need help putting together a team to scale your business, please feel free to get in touch! madeleine@theworkcrowd.com
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Alice Weigthman
CEO and Founder
As a full-time mother running my own executive search firm, I saw the problem everywhere. I knew dozens of bright, talented women who wanted to keep working, but who weren’t prepared to sacrifice their families. At the same time, my clients – all of them in marketing and communications – were finding it difficult to source the talent they needed. And they worried about losing the women at the top of their businesses. That was when I decided it was time for work to change for the better. So I launched The Work Crowd – a global platform that could connect businesses with the talent they need while helping people find work that works for them.
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Mirjana Dejanovska
Customer Success Manager MENA & Europe
Meet Mimi, our Customer Success Manager currently heading the international hubs. As a versatile professional with a passion for the PR & Marketing industry, she brings her expertise in recruitment connecting businesses to freelance talent globally.
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Ivana Stevanovska
Community & Marketing Executive
Meet Ivana, your friendly Community and Marketing Executive! She's a pro at onboarding our freelance community, making sure that they get the best user experience with us and working her magic on social media. When she's not busy with all marketing things, Ivana loves staying fit with workouts and cycling. But her favorite thing? Having a blast wherever she goes!
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Emily McJonas
Community Manager
"I’m Emily, the Community Manager at The Work Crowd, and I’ve been here since day one. I’m your first point of contact to help you navigate our platform and am also the online voice for our community across social media. I love helping and supporting people every day, and when I’m not working, you can find me hiking, skiing, or enjoying outdoor adventures! If you have any questions or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out – I’m here to help you make the most of The Work Crowd! emily@theworkcrowd.com
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Ben Mitchell
Partner - Head of Interim
I'm a former Head of Comms now helping organisations source the very best communications, media relations and corporate affairs talent for contract/interim assignments at The Work Crowd. After starting my career in journalism, I spent the next decade & a half in media relations & corporate comms roles. I'm pleased to be using the skills & experience I gained in that career to help others make the next move in theirs. If you’re having a ‘what’s next’ moment, if you’re an organisation seeking to enhance your media & comms function or plug a gap, or a PR professional looking for your next challenge, please get in touch for a no-nonsense chat about how I might be able to use my experience to help you. Ben@theworkcrowd.com
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Michelle Milbourn
Advisor
Michelle is a seasoned executive search specialist with two decades of experience supporting founders and investors across Europe’s fast-growth SaaS sector. She has helped more than 150 VC and private-equity-backed companies, from Series A to D, secure the senior leadership talent required to scale. Known for her collaborative and long-term approach, Michelle works closely with founders and investors to navigate the evolving leadership challenges that come with each stage of growth. During her time building Kommol, she developed strong VC relationships and became well recognised for her ability to identify and track high-impact executives across Europe’s SaaS ecosystem. Today, Michelle focuses on advisory work, supporting The Work Crowd, Hanson Search, and her former Kommol clients across their VC, PE and SaaS portfolios. She provides ongoing guidance on leadership, interim and specialist hiring, while also referring companies into our networks. A regular speaker on the SaaS circuit, she is valued for her insight into leadership trends and her commitment to helping ambitious companies build transformational teams.
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Ian Wright CBE
Advisor
Ian Wright is a founding adviser to The Work Crowd and has supported the business from the outset, offering expert counsel on strategy, reputation and governance. He brings more than twenty years’ senior leadership experience from FTSE 20 companies and a deep understanding of risk, regulation and stakeholder management. Ian chairs the UK Food & Drink Export Council and advises leading food and drink businesses. He previously served as Global Corporate Relations Director at Diageo, sitting on the executive committee, and held several senior management roles at The Boots Company. His wider portfolio includes Deputy Chair at Hume Brophy and membership of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Business Advisory Council. Ian has also led major Cabinet Office reviews across defence, science and government communications, drawing on his extensive public affairs experience. Formerly Chief Executive of the Food & Drink Federation and Chair of its Sector Council, he has represented industry at the highest levels, from parliamentary committees to national broadcast media. He was awarded a CBE in 2015 for political and public service. As an adviser to The Work Crowd, Ian brings invaluable insight, challenge and guidance, helping to shape our growth, strengthen our reputation and support our community of independent professionals.
WE LOVE FREELANCING
Over two million of the UK workforce are professional freelancers
Since 2008, the number of freelancers in the UK has risen almost 50%, contributing a whopping £119 billion to the UK economy.
Independent talent will match permanent
By 2020, 50% of the workforce will be working independently across the UK, Europe & USA. In 2017 alone, freelancers rose 3x faster than permanent employment.
One in seven mums are freelancers
In the past decade there has been a 55% increase in freelancers and a 79% increase in freelance mums. There’s no need for parents to compromise between work and family!
Ninety percent are happier now than they were before going solo
For those scared to take the leap of faith and leave behind their perks and paid vacations, this should be an indication towards the beauty of freelancing.
0
%Of Employers Plan to increase their use of freelancers
1500
Companies Registered with The Work Crowd freelance network
4200
Handpicked PR & Marcomms Freelance talent with The Work Crowd
0%
%Growth In UK independent professionals
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