PLATF9RM
BRAND PLATF9RM
SKILLS Creative Direction | Brand Development | Marketing | Community Building
I was a founding member of the PLATF9RM team, shaping its brand, marketing, and creative direction from day one. Over seven years, I worked to turn it into more than just a coworking space — PLATF9RM became a hub of energy, collaboration, and community, where over 1,000 members could actually enjoy work.
In 2019, I worked with Studio Makgill to develop the Make Work Wonderful brand, bringing the PLATF9RM ethos to life visually. In 2022, I teamed up with Project Simply to create a website that felt as vibrant and dynamic as the space itself.
PLATF9RM is joyful, colourful, and full of life—designed to bring together like-minded people, great ideas, and good times. It’s a space where work feels exciting and community comes first. I’m proud to have played a role in making that happen.
None of this would have been possible without the talented creatives, members and team at PLATF9RM.
Photos: Emma Croman, Ashley Lashmar Ford, Kitty Wheeler Shaw
Graphic Design: Studio Makgill, Myles Lucas
Illustration: Lucy Sherston, Amy Brown
2016-2023
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Sept 2019 – Jan 2023 (3 years, 5 months)
During my time at PLATF9RM, I shaped its brand, marketing, and creative strategy while driving significant business growth.
Launched a new revenue stream during COVID-19 through online event production, bringing in £60k annually while strengthening strategic partnerships with Sussex councils, LEPs, and cultural organisations.
Directed our website relaunch and creative content strategy, leading to a 70% increase in visit-MQL% since launch.
Built a marketing and retention strategy that generates 120+ organic leads a month, reducing dependency on brokers. Achieved a £50 CPA per member with an average lifetime value of £5k.
Led a team of three employees in the brand and marketing department, plus eight freelancers, contractors, and agencies.
Oversaw all creative content production and social media, growing our organic, engaged audience to 14,000+ followers.
Created and produced Kickass Women, an International Women’s Day conference that sells out our 120-capacity Hove venue every year.
Involved in the £3.75m CAPEX redevelopment bid for a 20,000 sqft Grade II listed Town Hall.
Produced investment decks for £5m+ funding, supporting PLATF9RM’s expansion into new cities.
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December 2017 - September 2019 | 1 year 10 months
Oversaw operations, growth, and brand development as PLATF9RM expanded into a thriving co-working community.
P&L responsibility, managing monthly revenue of £220k with an average operating profit of 35%.
Led a 13-person operations team, scaling membership from 178 to 850.
Directed all event and cultural programming, running 25+ events per month for members and the wider community.
Maintained industry-low churn rates (2.5%) and an NPS score of 72.
Welcomed over 20,000 visitors through PLATF9RM’s doors.
Launched a new CRM system, improving member experience and operational efficiency.
Played a key role in the £1M fit-out of Hove’s Ground Floor space, including the launch of The Grounds café, bar, and events venue.
Worked with Studio Makgill to deliver the PLATF9RM rebrand and ‘Make Work Wonderful’ identity.
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December 2016 - November 2017 | 1 year
Helped shape PLATF9RM from an idea into Brighton & Hove’s leading coworking community.
Grew membership from 0 to 178, building a strong community, curating the culture, and leading events that brought people together.
Built strategic partnerships with cultural and impact-driven organisations.
Pre-sold 75% of 6,000 sqft of newly fitted office space in Brighton and 80% in Hove before launch.
Designed and built the PLATF9RM website (2016–2022), evolving the digital presence as the brand grew.
Directed and commissioned creative content, working with Brighton & Hove’s best freelance talent.
Established PLATF9RM as the market leader in coworking and flexible office space in Brighton & Hove.
CULTURAL PROGRAMMING
Over seven years at PLATF9RM, I built a dynamic, engaging, and meaningful cultural programme for both members and the wider community.
We co-created events with our members and collaborated with a wide range of local organisations, groups, arts and cultural venues. It wasn’t just about what happened within our spaces. We built an ecosystem that extended across the city, hosting events in Brighton’s most inspiring locations.
We covered everything from business and start-ups to belonging, self-mastery, sustainability, and mental health, with plenty of arts, music, food, and outdoor adventures thrown in for good measure. The aim was to create events that weren’t just interesting but energising, inclusive, and memorable.
From panel discussions and roundtables to pop-up suppers, workshops, and outdoor activities, every event was designed to bring people together, spark ideas, and make work feel more fulfilling. Building a strong community wasn’t just a goal. It was the whole point.
CONTENT
At PLATF9RM, we built a content house that didn’t just promote the brand. It positioned us as thought leaders in the industry while shining a spotlight on our members and the wider community. Our approach was all about collaboration, co-creating content with our members, and amplifying their voices through blogs, social media, and digital storytelling.
We worked with talented designers, photographers, animators, and illustrators to craft engaging, visually rich content that resonated beyond our co-working spaces. Our blogs tackled everything from ethical investing and the future of digital nomads to sea-swimming for beginners, the best vintage shops in Brighton, and how to throw the perfect dinner party. We celebrated Brighton’s LGBTQ+ business leaders, B Corps, digital creativity, and the city’s unsung heroes, keeping it fresh, relevant, and community-driven.
Social media was central to our strategy, using a mix of user-generated content, behind-the-scenes insights, and interactive storytelling to build an engaged, growing audience. It wasn’t just about promoting PLATF9RM. It was about creating a platform where ideas, businesses, and culture could thrive.
Championing Local Creative Talent
Supporting and elevating local creative talent has always been at the heart of my work. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for artists, designers, and makers to thrive.
At PLATF9RM, I worked closely with talented individuals from my network to bring inspiring murals, on-brand artwork, captivating content, and engaging events to life. It wasn’t just about showcasing creativity. It was about creating meaningful collaborations that supported local talent while enhancing the PLATF9RM experience.
