Creative industries meeting at The Custard Factory attracts business and political bigwigs
A MEETING held in Birmingham focused on driving economic growth for the creative industries in the regions attracted an impressive group of attendees including business secretary Sajid Javid.
The Creative Industries Council, which staged the high-level meeting, has now set up a sub-group looking at initiatives to boost the sector outside of London.
Ed Vaizey, minister for culture and the digital economy, was also at the meeting at Fazeley Studios.
He said: “I am delighted that the Creative Industries Council has met in Birmingham – taking us out of London and to the heart of the Midlands Engine.
“This city has a rich creative and cultural history – from Peaky Blinders to Benjamin Zephaniah, Birmingham continues to excite and inspire.
“Creative hubs such as Fazeley Studios are testament to the thriving digital and creative scene in this city. The UK’s creative industries are worth a staggering £84bn to the economy and Government is determined to seeing this dynamic sector continue to develop in every region of the UK.”
The newly announced sub-group will focus on bringing together businesses and universities in a collaborative approach helping to ensure the sector continues to grow.
It will look at national policy initiatives with a direct impact on the success of local and regional creative economies, such as infrastructure, fiscal policy, export promotion, economic growth, major capital investments and incentivising collaboration between local and regional bodies.
It will also look at local and regional initiatives, such as productivity issues, science and innovation audits, better data, growth hubs, LEP powers, and mayoral powers.
The meeting was co-chaired by culture Secretary John Whittingdale, business secretary – and Bromsgrove MP – Javid and Nicola Mendelshon CBE, vice president of Facebook for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
There are estimated to be more than 107,000 creative industry jobs in the West Midlands.
