Creative Industries Make Industrial Noise

The Government this week included the creative industries as one of the five key sectors in its ‘modern industrial strategy’, a move welcomed by umbrella groups such as UK Music and the Creative Industries Federation.

Announced in a green paper by Prime Minister Theresa May this week, the strategy will aim to develop various sectors by focusing on skills and infrastructure to help strengthen the UK in a post-Brexit economy. The Green Paper sets out ten strategic pillars to underpin a new Government approach to industry, including “Cultivating world-leading sectors”, “Creating the right institutions to bring together sectors and places” and “Supporting businesses to start and grow”.

Former Chair of the Arts Council of England, Peter Bazalgette has been appointed to lead an independent review of the creative industries to allow them to prosper further.

Chief Executive of the Creative Industries Federation John Kampfner said: “When we first began talking about the creative industries being a crucial part of any future industrial strategy, no such strategy was on the table and many people believed such a move unlikely. But the strength of argument has won the day. We have come a long way in a short time”.

There is a more detailed response from the Federation here.

Chief Executive of UK Music Jo Dipple added: “Music, with all its associated businesses, contributes £4.1 billion to the UK economy and is at the forefront of exerting our soft-power overseas. It is also a prime example of an industry, which has successfully adapted and embraced a new digital future. Our industry is in a prime position to grow and thrive”.

UK Music has published its own strategy for the creative industries, based on a framework to trade, incentives to trade and regionalisation of trade as three pillars of trade.

In related news, it was recently announced that Jo Dipple is set to step down as UK Chief Executive in June 2017 after five years in the role.