Free Spirits appoints new COO to take the community for self-employed professionals to the next level
Andy Candler has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Free Spirits and joins Founder Kim Ellis as business partner.
Kim Ellis launched Free Spirits in September 2024 – a dedicated networking community for self-employed professionals across Learning, Training and People Development.
Since then, and with support from a group of subject-expert ‘Wizards’, Kim has provided a range of benefits, collaboration opportunities and dedicated support to meet demand from a growing global membership base.
With a spike in member uptake in early 2026 and her ongoing mission to support as many members as possible, Kim appointed long-term Wizard Andy Candler to a new COO role to help drive the community forward.
Kim Ellis, said:
“When I set up Free Spirits, I always knew I’d need support; that’s where the Wizards came in, and they continue to be a huge part of what makes this community what it is. But now, as we keep building, it’s time for the next step. Andy is a real champion of Free Spirits and I know he will bring huge value as we continue building a community that helps self-employed professionals thrive.”
Andy Candler, said:
“Since it started, it’s been my pleasure to help and support the community with my own skills and experience as a Wizard. Being invited to join Kim on the community journey as COO is an absolute privilege, and I can’t wait to help it grow even more.”
Free Spirits’ members consist of Trainers, Facilitators, Coaches, Learning Designers, Learning & Development and Organisational Development Consultants.
With the community hub hosted in Circle, members have access to resources, templates and guides built specifically for self-employed people development professionals; a programme of events and webinars to support business skills, set-up and structure; and discounts on coaching and insider deals.
Andy, added:
“Free Spirits has been such a valuable resource for me as I created my new business. A good community gives you help and advice, but a great community is where all the members help each other, and I quickly learnt that this is what Free Spirits is all about.”
To drive further knowledge sharing for members, Kim organised Free Spirits’ inaugural online conference in 2025, with attendees describing it as “energising”, “refreshingly real”, and “the best virtual event I’ve ever been part of”.
Further to this feedback and to meet community demand, Kim decided to hold two virtual events in 2026. Spring’s took place in March and centred around the “power of freelancers”, with Liggy Webb and Jasmine Gartner as keynote speakers.
Autumn’s online event will take place on Thursday, 1st October 2026, exploring how to grow “influence and impact through thought leadership”; Erica Farmer and Tom McDowall are keynote speakers.
Free Spirits is also exhibiting at World of Learning, 6-7th October, Birmingham – providing a hub for members to meet and network, as well as an opportunity for those considering self-employment to meet like-minded professionals.