MOW Unplugged: Holly Ball on Building Careers in the Creative Industry

At Ministry of Work, we celebrate the members shaping their industries in unique and meaningful ways. Holly Ball is one of those individuals. As a creative careers specialist, she helps artists, performers, and behind-the-scenes professionals take control of their career paths, rather than waiting for opportunities to come to them. We sat down with Holly to learn more about her work, her journey, and her vision for the future.

Helping Creatives Take Control of Their Careers

Holly works with individuals and organisations in the creative sector to ensure talent is nurtured, developed, and strategically positioned for success. Whether it’s theatre, music, dance, film, or television, she helps professionals at all levels map out their career trajectories.

“I work with those guys to help them develop the creative career that they want,” she explains. “Rather than just sitting back and going, ‘I’ll see what jobs come up,’ it’s about being proactive. It’s about changing how we look at building a career in the creative industries.”

She also partners with employers, helping them strengthen their talent pipelines and build sustainable career pathways for future generations of creatives.

Finding Her Calling by Saying Yes

Like many in the creative world, Holly’s career path wasn’t a straight line. In 2010, she landed her first job in the arts working on a youth leadership project in Bolton—only to see the programme cut due to government funding changes. That experience, while frustrating, became a turning point.

“I remember driving down the motorway thinking, ‘I will not be beaten by David Cameron,’” she laughs. “I was in a theatre bar when someone came up to me and said, ‘I need a project manager. Are you looking for work?’ And that was it. I just said yes.”

That project turned out to be a career-changing moment. It was part of the Future Jobs Fund, a programme aimed at helping young people enter the workforce. Holly instantly connected with the mission of supporting young talent and helping them build their careers.

“I found something I absolutely loved by saying yes to that opportunity,” she says. “Helping young people get the skills they need, get that first start, and then progress—that’s what drives me.”

The Challenge of Visibility

For Holly, one of the biggest hurdles right now is ensuring she reaches the right people—whether that’s creatives looking for career guidance or employers in need of talent strategy.

“We were just talking about this earlier,” she says. “It’s about being visible and being visible to the right people. Social media is a big part of that. Networking events are great—I’ve got myself back into the habit of going to them—but reaching the right clients online is always a challenge.”

She also acknowledges the ongoing struggle creatives face when it comes to securing sustainable work. “We don’t have traditional career pathways like doctors or solicitors. The industry is heavily influenced by external factors—government funding, social trends, the economy—so we have to be flexible and competitive in a way other industries don’t necessarily have to be.”

Big Aspirations for the Future

In the next few years, Holly envisions Career Forward—her growing business—becoming a full-time operation with multiple facets.

“I’d love to be working full-time for myself,” she says. “It would be a mix of one-on-one coaching, running workshops, and working with organisations to design better career development programmes. I want to help people develop the skills, knowledge, and understanding to take control of their careers, rather than waiting for opportunities to come to them.”

What the Community Can Offer

One of the things Holly values most about being part of the Ministry of Work community is the diversity of expertise around her. Coming from a publicly funded sector, she’s keen to learn from those with more commercially driven business models.

“I love talking to people who have a more corporate or commercial mindset”

“In the creative industries, people often think, ‘How can I get funding so people don’t have to pay for this?’ But I want to explore different business models. I’m always interested in understanding new ways to approach funding and sustainability.”

And, of course, marketing support is always welcome. “I’m always up for help and advice on marketing. Social media, visibility—those things are crucial for me.”

Beyond Work: A Love for Dogs and American Football

Outside of work, Holly’s world revolves around her three-year-old Cavapoo, Mabel. “She’s basically a fluffy teddy bear,” she laughs.

She’s also a huge American football fan, a passion passed down from her parents. “My dad sadly isn’t with us anymore, so I took over cheering for his team. He picked the worst team ever—I think just because their logo is a pirate. But I’ve really gotten into it this season. I’ve even been to some of the London games with my mum, which has been amazing.”

The Best Advice She’s Ever Received

When asked for the best piece of advice she’s ever been given, Holly doesn’t hesitate.

“My partner told me over the summer, ‘No decision is final.’ And that really stuck with me.”

She explains, “When you’re making career decisions, it can feel like the biggest thing in the world. But it’s not. If it turns out to be the wrong decision, that’s okay. It was the best decision you could have made at the time. You can always pivot.”

“I love being part of this community”

Where to Find Holly

If you’re interested in working with Holly – whether as an individual creative or as an employer looking to build a talent strategy—you can connect with her at careerforward.uk or on LinkedIn and Instagram.

“I love being part of this community,” she says. “I’d love to connect.”