Creative UK connects and empowers the creative sector. As the independent network for the UK’s Creative Industries, we are here for those who dare to imagine.
Creative UK’s purpose is to harness the power of creativity and amplify the voice of its membership, to build a fairer and more prosperous world.
We build industry insight, advocate for the contribution the cultural and creative practitioners and businesses make to the UK economy and civic society.
And we provide practical support and investment to help creative people and businesses to grow and thrive.
When we first set out our core organisational pillars to prioritise People, Place and Planet, we had no idea of the long-lasting effects of the pandemic or that the reverberations would be felt some two years later. However, I believe our firm commitment to these goals and our bold vision for the future of the creative industries, has enabled us to drive real and lasting change as well as a contributing to the economic impact of the sector.
We know the Creative Industries are far-reaching and are growing at four times the rate of the wider economy but there is still work to be done for both the public and the Government to recognise the value and impact of creativity across the UK. In this report you’ll see that as well as championing and advocating for the Creative Industries we have also provided direct, tangible support – from advice, guidance and business support to creative entrepreneurs, talent development schemes and directly investing £3.5m into small, high growth creative companies.
I am proud of the leadership Creative UK provided this year to spearhead the Creative Industries' response to addressing bullying and harassment across the sector, with industry leaders signing up to codes of conduct and supporting the establishment of an Independent Standards Authority to investigate allegations and uphold and improve standards of behaviour. I want to thank all of those brave people who stood up to be heard.
Other notable highlights this year include loudly advocating for our important freelance community, to challenge and push for change where it really matters this year and successfully launching our Breakout partnership with Netflix UK to invest in and champion the next generation of feature filmmakers.
We made good on our promise to support the growing clusters of creative companies and talent across the country, launching the inaugural North of Tyne Cultural and Creative Investment programme thanks to the kind backing from the North of Tyne Combined Authority.
We’re grateful to the many creative practitioners and business leaders who appeared at our Creative Coalition Festival and helped us convene a far-reaching national conversation on how our world leading creative sector can help us build a fairer, more inclusive economy with less cost to the planet.
The beating heart of success, of course, is a strong team with shared goals and values. Without my amazing team of talented colleagues, board members, partners and stakeholders none of this would have been possible. I’d like to raise a metaphorical glass to you all for your unwavering support and conviction. I know we are in safe hands as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It is my firm belief that it is only the Creative Industries that have the ability to imagine solutions to problems that the rest of the world have yet to conceive.