It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since we launched FlexHub, our unique global community of digital professionals - and what a two years it’s been!
FlexHub is our talent ecosystem - our global network of specialists across content, translation, and SEO. It’s become the framework that shapes how we collaborate with our specialists, ensuring consistency, quality and accuracy for every project. For our clients, this means unparalleled coverage, with access to specialists worldwide and the ability to meet even the most complex or large-scale needs. For our members, it means ultimate flexibility in how and where they work - whilst still having the connection and support of our in-house teams.
From day one, FlexHub has been about mutual growth. Our members bring their creativity, expertise, and dedication. In return, we provide opportunities to work on exciting, high-profile projects, invest in skills development, and create an environment where feedback and communication flow both ways.
Two years in, let’s reflect back on everything FlexHub has achieved…
Collaborating with Exceptional Talent
We’ve been fortunate to welcome many new members over the past two years (686 to be precise!), while also continuing to work with long-standing collaborators who’ve been part of our journey from the beginning.
At ICS, we specialise in multilingual digital marketing services, and operate in over 100 different languages. This means our team of specialists is both vast and diverse - from SEO specialists, to content creators and translators, covering every corner of the digital landscape.
Keeping Communication Open
A big part of FlexHub’s ethos is the focus on communication. Last year we welcomed Tayler Gilbert to the team as our Vendor Relations Manager. Tayler’s role is to make sure that FlexHub members have the support they need and a clear point of contact for feedback and questions.
We’ve also been looking for more ways to connect with our community. Earlier this year we launched the FlexHub Insider, a quarterly newsletter exclusively for our members which has become a key place to highlight ICS news, share tips and resources, and celebrate member achievements.
Beyond FlexHub itself, we’ve been pleased to participate in speaking events such as our recent talk at the University of Leeds on the topic of: ‘Careers in Translation: Expert Advice from an LSP Perspective’. It’s been great to have the chance to meet and inspire young professionals who are beginning to shape their careers. FlexHub is not just about supporting current members, but also the next generation of language professionals.
FlexHub Stories
One of the things we’ve been most proud of over the past two years is seeing how people have developed their careers through FlexHub.
Ten of our FlexHub members have gone onto secure permanent roles with ICS across SEO, translation and editorial, bringing the skills and experience they have gained into new chapters of their careers.
Read on below to hear from Sadie Kendall, FlexHub alumni and current Content Editor at ICS:
What first attracted you to join FlexHub at ICS as an Editorial Assistant?
I began at ICS-digital in November 2024 whilst in my final year at the University of Leeds, studying English and History. After previously working in hospitality throughout my time at university, in my final year I decided I wanted a role that would connect more closely to my degree and allow me to develop new skills.
I knew I was interested in editing, having already been working as a news editor at the university student newspaper and an editor at the university history magazine. When I saw that I could use these skills in a flexible role that would work alongside my degree, as well as gain experience within a digital marketing agency, I thought it would be perfect for me, so I put in an application!
How did you develop your skills and confidence during your time in the role?
I think that one of the biggest ways I have developed my skills at ICS is by building strong connections within my team and the wider agency. Throughout my training, both as an Editorial Assistant and Content Editor, I have been comfortable asking lots of questions and receiving great constructive feedback on my own editing, which has really helped my development.
Coming into the office and meeting all the friendly people in different teams within ICS is something that has really helped to develop my confidence, as well as my wider knowledge of the agency practices. These skills have really helped me to settle into my new full-time role.
You recently transitioned from being a casual worker with FlexHub to securing a permanent role within the editorial team - what did that journey look like?
Moving from a casual Editorial Assistant to a Content Editor felt like a natural move for me following university, having really enjoyed the role and coming into the office.
Having worked as a casual worker, I felt I had a good understanding of how ICS’s FlexHub system worked and what I could bring to the role in terms of communicating with our base of freelance editors and writers.
I was excited to take on a more hands-on role at ICS and to become more integrated in the wider operations of the agency. Providing support to our writers and international editors was one of the things I was really excited about, as well as further consolidating my own editorial skills.
What advice would you give to other language specialists who are curious about FlexHub but haven’t applied yet?
If you’re curious about the FlexHub roles, my advice would be to simply reach out! Our Global Resourcing team are super friendly and welcoming and are always looking to hear from people interested in all things languages, writing and editing - even if there isn’t a role directly available at the moment.
I think learning about how FlexHub can work for you is something that really helps too. For me, this was how I could fit the role around university and develop my confidence and skills in a new environment, but there are so many ways it can work for people.
Looking Ahead
Two years in, FlexHub is still evolving and there’s so much more we want to do to help members feel inspired and provide opportunities for talented professionals - ensuring that we’re always listening to feedback from our members.
Looking ahead, we want FlexHub to remain a place where people from all walks of life can thrive - whether that’s students starting out in their careers, parents balancing work with family life, or anyone else looking for flexible opportunities alongside other commitments. The variety of experiences and perspectives our members bring is what makes this community so valuable, and we’re excited to keep building on that.
If you’re a freelancer who’s interested in joining FlexHub, we’d love to hear from you. Contact our friendly Global Resourcing team at joinflexhub@ics-digital.com!
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