Kate launched her business in January 2026, just a few weeks before the start of the Northern Max Accelerator programme following her departure from ITV as the media landscape continued to shift towards digital and on-demand content.

While she continues to freelance with ITV, this transition marked a new chapter and an opportunity to diversify her skills and bring her storytelling expertise directly to businesses.

At the time, Kate was also a delegate on the Kirklees THRIVE programme, delivered by Greenborough, where she was introduced to additional support available through the wider business ecosystem. It was through her AD:VENTURE business advisor, Chris Mitchell, that she was signposted to the Northern Max Accelerator as a natural next step in her journey.

When Kate joined Northern Max, she was at the very start of building her business. She had the experience, credibility and network, but needed support in translating that into a structured, scalable business model.

Kate joined Northern Max alongside another programme, initially unsure how she would manage the time. However, the experience quickly proved to be invaluable.

“It was brilliant – so beneficial and really helpful. I’m so pleased I did it.”

The programme provided both practical support and a strong sense of community. Kate found the cohort to be focused, inspiring and incredibly supportive, forming connections almost immediately.

Having already experienced the Kirklees THRIVE programme, Kate was able to build on those early foundations, with Northern Max taking her learning to the next level, providing more in-depth strategic support and practical application. This crossover highlights the strength of the AD:VENTURE and Greenborough-led support network across West Yorkshire, enabling founders to access the right support at the right time in their journey.

At times when workload felt overwhelming, the support from the team stood out:

“Russell really stepped in to help when things felt busy, and even having that support made a big difference at a time when I was so new to starting my business.”

A key highlight for Kate was the relationships built throughout the programme. She formed strong connections within the cohort, even sharing journeys to sessions and continues to build meaningful business relationships as a result.

The pitch final was another standout moment. Although used to speaking publicly, Kate still felt nervous, but recognised the value of the experience:

“I watched it back and feel really proud of what I delivered in that pitch. However, stepping away from that with a mentor was just the icing on the cake. It’s set me up really well for what comes next.”

Following the programme, Kate was offered ongoing business consultation and coaching from Caroline Freeman, giving her continued support and guidance as she develops the business further.

Growth Since the Programme

She has:

• Built a team of specialist contractors, including support for marketing assets, press coordination and video editing
• Expanded her offering to include media training and social-first video content
• Begun working with clients delivering measurable results, including one campaign achieving an 867% increase in reach and generating international enquiries
• Launched a new podcast, “Kate Confidential”, exploring real-life stories and topical issues. You can listen to the podcast on YouTube, or Spotify.

Alongside this growth, Kate has also received early recognition for her work since launching the business. In March, she won a Business Awards UK award for ‘Lifetime Achievement and Business Innovation’, and has since been named a finalist in the UK StartUp Awards (North East, Yorkshire and Humber) for Marketing and Advertising StartUp of the Year, with the final taking place on June 16th 2026. She has also recently been nominated for a Business Circle Award, for ‘TV Producer of the Year, Leeds’, further reflecting the impact she is already making in the industry.

Her approach to storytelling, grounded in journalistic integrity, is proving particularly valuable in today’s digital landscape, where businesses are looking for content that feels authentic and professional to cut through the noise online.

One recent client campaign highlights this impact, where Kate not only produced the video content but also coached the client on how to present on camera, improving confidence, delivery and overall engagement.

“I had the pleasure of working with Kate when she produced a social and promotional video for Think Thrive Ltd, and I can confidently say she is exceptional at what she does. Kate goes far beyond simply delivering a high-quality end product – she truly understands the importance of tone, trust, and ethical storytelling.”

“Her professionalism, calm presence, and ability to put people at ease made the whole experience positive and enjoyable for everyone involved. I would not hesitate to collaborate with Kate again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a creative professional who combines technical skill with empathy and integrity.” Rebecca Gough, Think Thrive Ltd.

Take a look at an example of work Kate has supported Rebecca with on TikTok – @think.thrive.ltd

Kate’s vision for the business is focused on sustainable, flexible growth, supported by a network of trusted collaborators.

Future plans include:

• Expanding media training services, working with individuals, organisations and communications teams
• Developing educational content and training programmes, potentially delivered through colleges or online platforms
• Growing her podcast and using it as a platform for storytelling and visibility
• Continuing to build long-term client relationships through retainer-based work

With a teaching qualification due to complete in 2026, Kate is also exploring opportunities to bring her expertise into education and training environments, helping others develop their communication and storytelling skills.

The Value of Northern Max

For Kate, Northern Max provided essential business foundations at a critical point in her journey as the programme helped her develop skills she hadn’t previously needed in her journalism career, including customer profiling, pricing, proposals and value proposition.

“It’s been really insightful. These are things I didn’t know before, and now I understand the value I bring and how to communicate that. I’m determined to make the foundations of my business as strong as possible, and the sessions on the programme were so helpful in those early days.”

Alongside the practical learning, the programme also increased her visibility, confidence and network, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

Through both THRIVE and Northern Max, Kate has been able to access a joined-up support system, demonstrating how programmes delivered by Greenborough, in partnership with AD:VENTURE and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, are designed to support businesses at every stage of growth.