Adrian Ashton
@adrianashton2.bsky.social
supporting people & organisations (social / otherwise) deal with uncertainty; occasional anorak; a tiger striped chaise lounge with a flamingo cushion.
Excited to see my reflections and insights on how to accidentally create a business that outlasts over 90% of all others is back in the Amazon top100 best seller list!
www.amazon.co.uk/Flushed-firs...
www.amazon.co.uk/Flushed-firs...
January 24, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Excited to see my reflections and insights on how to accidentally create a business that outlasts over 90% of all others is back in the Amazon top100 best seller list!
www.amazon.co.uk/Flushed-firs...
www.amazon.co.uk/Flushed-firs...
For anyone who claims travel expenses as part of their work - did you know it's been 15 years since HMRC last reviewed the amount you can claim for business mileage (and the costs of driving have risen by about 40% since then...)
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Update business mileage allowance from 45p per mile (not changed since 2011).
The business mileage rate has been stuck at 45p per mile since 2011 – despite fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs soaring. It’s an unfair, outdated rate that penalises the self-employed and small b...
petition.parliament.uk
January 22, 2026 at 2:48 PM
For anyone who claims travel expenses as part of their work - did you know it's been 15 years since HMRC last reviewed the amount you can claim for business mileage (and the costs of driving have risen by about 40% since then...)
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
What if your imposter syndrome isn’t a flaw, but evidence of care, conscience, and intelligence?
(the time I asked Dr Who what they thought about my take on the subject - thirdsectorexpert.blogspot.com/2026/01/how-...)
(the time I asked Dr Who what they thought about my take on the subject - thirdsectorexpert.blogspot.com/2026/01/how-...)
How I'm (apparently) dangerous - in the best possible way
Last year I wondered what one of my literary heroes, Sherlock Holmes would make of my book about imposter syndrome (if you missed it, you ca...
thirdsectorexpert.blogspot.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:16 AM
What if your imposter syndrome isn’t a flaw, but evidence of care, conscience, and intelligence?
(the time I asked Dr Who what they thought about my take on the subject - thirdsectorexpert.blogspot.com/2026/01/how-...)
(the time I asked Dr Who what they thought about my take on the subject - thirdsectorexpert.blogspot.com/2026/01/how-...)
Always exciting when the latest issue of Freelancer Magazine lands on my doormat - but doubly so this time as I've spotted myself in no less than 3 different places in it (and all for separate reasons!).
January 20, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Always exciting when the latest issue of Freelancer Magazine lands on my doormat - but doubly so this time as I've spotted myself in no less than 3 different places in it (and all for separate reasons!).
I know that a lot of people rate the on-line (and in-person) training courses and workshops I deliver - but I've just had an enquiry from Australia to lead sessions in that time zone!!
January 19, 2026 at 7:11 AM
I know that a lot of people rate the on-line (and in-person) training courses and workshops I deliver - but I've just had an enquiry from Australia to lead sessions in that time zone!!
Each year I try something in my business I've not done before (you may recall that for 2025, this involved a lot of toilets...) - for 2026, that means it's a bingo card that I'm offering people to play along with!!
drive.google.com/file/d/1zTwR...
drive.google.com/file/d/1zTwR...
Adrian Ashton - 2026 bingo edition.pdf
drive.google.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Each year I try something in my business I've not done before (you may recall that for 2025, this involved a lot of toilets...) - for 2026, that means it's a bingo card that I'm offering people to play along with!!
drive.google.com/file/d/1zTwR...
drive.google.com/file/d/1zTwR...
Excited to be invited to "duck about" in sharing ideas as to how far in-person facilitation practices and techniques can be stretched to be done on-line, with the Facilitator's Cafe later this month - www.tickettailor.com/events/thefa...
Select tickets – What the Duck! Challenging What’s Possible Online with Adrian Ashton – Zoom
What the Duck! Challenging What’s Possible Online with Adrian Ashton – Zoom, Thu 22 Jan 2026 - How far can you really go online?
Many facilitators quietly carry limits in their minds: You can’t do tha...
www.tickettailor.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Excited to be invited to "duck about" in sharing ideas as to how far in-person facilitation practices and techniques can be stretched to be done on-line, with the Facilitator's Cafe later this month - www.tickettailor.com/events/thefa...
"Villains are always the ones who are absolutely sure they’re right - Daleks don’t doubt; Cybermen don’t doubt; Time Lords stopped doubting (and look how that went)."
Dr Who makes a cameo in my book about imposter syndrome, so it's only fair they get to review it?
substack.com/@adrianashto...
Dr Who makes a cameo in my book about imposter syndrome, so it's only fair they get to review it?
substack.com/@adrianashto...
How I'm (apparently) dangerous - but in the best possible way
Doctor Who has added my book to the TARDIS library...
substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:26 PM
"Villains are always the ones who are absolutely sure they’re right - Daleks don’t doubt; Cybermen don’t doubt; Time Lords stopped doubting (and look how that went)."
Dr Who makes a cameo in my book about imposter syndrome, so it's only fair they get to review it?
substack.com/@adrianashto...
Dr Who makes a cameo in my book about imposter syndrome, so it's only fair they get to review it?
substack.com/@adrianashto...
“Doubt isn’t a weakness. It’s a moral compass.”
- what might Dr Who might make of my book exploring imposter syndrome, if they added it to the TARDS library?
substack.com/home/post/p-...
- what might Dr Who might make of my book exploring imposter syndrome, if they added it to the TARDS library?
substack.com/home/post/p-...
January 7, 2026 at 9:29 AM
“Doubt isn’t a weakness. It’s a moral compass.”
- what might Dr Who might make of my book exploring imposter syndrome, if they added it to the TARDS library?
substack.com/home/post/p-...
- what might Dr Who might make of my book exploring imposter syndrome, if they added it to the TARDS library?
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Adrian Ashton
As you're reading this — literally right now — FTSE 100 CEOs have just been paid as much as an entire year's wage for the median full time worker. After just a couple of days back. I haven't even cleared my inbox yet.
January 6, 2026 at 11:30 AM
As you're reading this — literally right now — FTSE 100 CEOs have just been paid as much as an entire year's wage for the median full time worker. After just a couple of days back. I haven't even cleared my inbox yet.
Some say that with a family bloodline that tracks back to Rochdale, it was inevitable I'd end up supporting coops - but my university years and early working life almost meant I didn't...
Looking forward to sharing some stories with @ukcoopstudies.bsky.social soon:
www.ukscs.coop/events/co-op...
Looking forward to sharing some stories with @ukcoopstudies.bsky.social soon:
www.ukscs.coop/events/co-op...
Co-operative Conversations with Adrian Ashton
www.ukscs.coop
January 5, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Some say that with a family bloodline that tracks back to Rochdale, it was inevitable I'd end up supporting coops - but my university years and early working life almost meant I didn't...
Looking forward to sharing some stories with @ukcoopstudies.bsky.social soon:
www.ukscs.coop/events/co-op...
Looking forward to sharing some stories with @ukcoopstudies.bsky.social soon:
www.ukscs.coop/events/co-op...
Instead of templates, worksheets, or challenges to start your 2026, how about reflections and insights from someone who accidentally started a business which has now outlasted 90% of all others, won lots of awards, and has changed laws and influenced national polices?
amzn.eu/d/dqgfRfn
amzn.eu/d/dqgfRfn
Flushed!: The first 20 years - a view from the b(l)og
Flushed!: The first 20 years - a view from the b(l)og : Ashton, Adrian: Amazon.co.uk: Books
amzn.eu
January 2, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Instead of templates, worksheets, or challenges to start your 2026, how about reflections and insights from someone who accidentally started a business which has now outlasted 90% of all others, won lots of awards, and has changed laws and influenced national polices?
amzn.eu/d/dqgfRfn
amzn.eu/d/dqgfRfn
When was the last time you spotted someone wearing a monocle on a zoom call?
(for the full story - www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...)
(for the full story - www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...)
January 2, 2026 at 8:34 AM
When was the last time you spotted someone wearing a monocle on a zoom call?
(for the full story - www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...)
(for the full story - www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...)
In-between mince pies and leftover Brussel sprouts, I've been dipping into the just released latest research into the state of social enterprise in the UK.
(and bracing myself to be on the naughty list for next Christmas as a result...)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
(and bracing myself to be on the naughty list for next Christmas as a result...)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
December 30, 2025 at 9:10 AM
In-between mince pies and leftover Brussel sprouts, I've been dipping into the just released latest research into the state of social enterprise in the UK.
(and bracing myself to be on the naughty list for next Christmas as a result...)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
(and bracing myself to be on the naughty list for next Christmas as a result...)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
An alternative way to reflect on the year that was - asking an AI bot to tell me what it thought of me, based on my 2025 LinkedIn activity...
(with thanks to CoAuthor)
full post at: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
(with thanks to CoAuthor)
full post at: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
December 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM
An alternative way to reflect on the year that was - asking an AI bot to tell me what it thought of me, based on my 2025 LinkedIn activity...
(with thanks to CoAuthor)
full post at: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
(with thanks to CoAuthor)
full post at: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Proud to have been able to share some of my stories and insights into the self-employed who are also unpaid carers for multiple family members, to inform the wider work of the national Working Families charity.
If this also sounds of interest to you:
workingfamilies.org.uk/about-us/par...
If this also sounds of interest to you:
workingfamilies.org.uk/about-us/par...
December 22, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Proud to have been able to share some of my stories and insights into the self-employed who are also unpaid carers for multiple family members, to inform the wider work of the national Working Families charity.
If this also sounds of interest to you:
workingfamilies.org.uk/about-us/par...
If this also sounds of interest to you:
workingfamilies.org.uk/about-us/par...
Not sure if it's a sign that I'm on the naughty or nice list, when I get a Christmas card from my local MP...?
December 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Not sure if it's a sign that I'm on the naughty or nice list, when I get a Christmas card from my local MP...?
Somehow my end of year reflection has ended up with me reminiscing a lot about toilets...
open.substack.com/pub/adrianas...
open.substack.com/pub/adrianas...
December 17, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Somehow my end of year reflection has ended up with me reminiscing a lot about toilets...
open.substack.com/pub/adrianas...
open.substack.com/pub/adrianas...
As someone who's had the opportunity to support lots of business across West Yorks through being part of the AD:VENTURE programme, it was great to recently reflect and celebrate on this years installment of it - www.ad-venture.org.uk/advice-blog/...
Recap: End-of-Year Business Growth Gathering in Bradford
· Ad:Venture Business Support
Key takeaways and information on our speakers and exhibitors from the End-of-Year Celebration
www.ad-venture.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 8:47 AM
As someone who's had the opportunity to support lots of business across West Yorks through being part of the AD:VENTURE programme, it was great to recently reflect and celebrate on this years installment of it - www.ad-venture.org.uk/advice-blog/...
Over the last 10 years, I've been interviewed on 18 different podcast shows (although 2 of them have subsequently never been able to be released, and another 2 are still going through 'editing'...)
Maybe I'm not a typical podcast guest..?
www.adrianashton.co.uk/media-covera...
Maybe I'm not a typical podcast guest..?
www.adrianashton.co.uk/media-covera...
Media coverage | Adrian Ashton
Adrian has been invited to draft feature articles for various media, and been interviewed on a range of podcast and YouTube series.
www.adrianashton.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Over the last 10 years, I've been interviewed on 18 different podcast shows (although 2 of them have subsequently never been able to be released, and another 2 are still going through 'editing'...)
Maybe I'm not a typical podcast guest..?
www.adrianashton.co.uk/media-covera...
Maybe I'm not a typical podcast guest..?
www.adrianashton.co.uk/media-covera...
When I wrote 'loving your doubt', I never imagined it would be appearing at writing retreats (such as those led by forcreativepeople.com)!
Loving these video clips Helen's shared with me of the other titles mine's appearing alongside, as inspiration for future great books!
Loving these video clips Helen's shared with me of the other titles mine's appearing alongside, as inspiration for future great books!
December 11, 2025 at 9:10 AM
When I wrote 'loving your doubt', I never imagined it would be appearing at writing retreats (such as those led by forcreativepeople.com)!
Loving these video clips Helen's shared with me of the other titles mine's appearing alongside, as inspiration for future great books!
Loving these video clips Helen's shared with me of the other titles mine's appearing alongside, as inspiration for future great books!
Very excited to find that I seem to have become a 'poster boy' for @teamipse.bsky.social and Sage's work on helping the more than 4 millions sole traders like me better cope with the oncoming #MakingTaxDigital...
www.ipse.co.uk/downloads/ma...
www.ipse.co.uk/downloads/ma...
December 10, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Very excited to find that I seem to have become a 'poster boy' for @teamipse.bsky.social and Sage's work on helping the more than 4 millions sole traders like me better cope with the oncoming #MakingTaxDigital...
www.ipse.co.uk/downloads/ma...
www.ipse.co.uk/downloads/ma...
I usually find myself on the 'naughty list' at this time of year, but as an accredited #GoodBusinessCharter business, it feels nice to be in Santa's good books 😉
goodbusinesscharter.com/christmas-ca...
(and speaking of books... www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Adria... )
goodbusinesscharter.com/christmas-ca...
(and speaking of books... www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Adria... )
December 9, 2025 at 9:13 AM
I usually find myself on the 'naughty list' at this time of year, but as an accredited #GoodBusinessCharter business, it feels nice to be in Santa's good books 😉
goodbusinesscharter.com/christmas-ca...
(and speaking of books... www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Adria... )
goodbusinesscharter.com/christmas-ca...
(and speaking of books... www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Adria... )
The letter 'B' seems to be a recurring theme in #TrainStationTinsel being spotted so far this month..?
December 8, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The letter 'B' seems to be a recurring theme in #TrainStationTinsel being spotted so far this month..?
Bringing a bit of my own festive cheer to the training room at @boltoncvs.bsky.social for the session I was delivering there today...
December 8, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Bringing a bit of my own festive cheer to the training room at @boltoncvs.bsky.social for the session I was delivering there today...