Plans to bring 29,000 jobs to region in boost for TV, film and games sectors

A new Screen Industry Body which aims to boost the region’s TV, film and games industries has been announced, a move that could help bring 29,000 jobs to the region.

The new body, which has been developed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in conjunction with the region’s three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), will be chaired by Deloitte’s international industry heavyweight Ed Shedd.

Shedd will preside over the board, which will comprise top talent from across the region’s screen businesses and will serve as a single point of contact for national and international film, TV and game makers.

It is hoped the new body will help to drive investment, growth and thousands of new jobs.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “The West Midlands has a strong screen industry with a string of success stories – not least Leamington Spa’s gaming cluster which employs 10% of the UK gaming industry.

“However we have learnt from the region’s Channel 4 bid and from engaging with industry leaders that there is a lot more that can be done to support the screen sector so the West Midlands can truly be recognised as a world class centre for creative content.

“We plan to see 29,000 new, high skilled jobs in the digital and creative industries by 2030, but we will not be able to achieve this without having an industry body in place to help the region capitalise on the fast-growing creative sector.

“For the screen sector to realise its full potential, the brightest and best entrepreneurs from the industry need to have the structure and mandate to drive forward that growth. This new body will provide just that.”

Networks like Film Birmingham, Screen Central and Silicon Spa will partner with the new body to deliver programmes of activity.

Shedd said: “I am extremely excited about becoming the inaugural chair of this new Screen Industry Body.

“The screen industries are undergoing fundamental transformation, driven by the advent of near ubiquitous, high speed connectivity in both fixed and mobile forms, the West Midlands is perfectly positioned to respond to and benefit from that transformation.

“The traditional media structure and locations that have dominated UK and global media are changing.  Creatives no longer need to be wholly present in London, New York and LA. I look forward to working with industry, WMCA and partners to establish this powerful industry structure to help the region capitalise on this opportunity.

“It has been great to see BFI National Lottery funding being part of this new chapter supporting the next generation of creative storytellers in The West Midlands.”

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