Creative companies urged to seize oppportunities

THE digital industry in Leeds is steadily growing and now is the perfect opportunity for these creative media businesses to explore ways to help them flourish and take advantage of funding opportunities.

Speaking at the Gearing up for Growth breakfast seminar at the Round Foundry Media Centre, Toby Hyam, managing director of Creative Space Management, which runs the Round Foundry Media Centre, told local companies that creating new jobs and investing in this region can bring huge potential. He also highlighted the growing creative area that Holbeck has become.

He said: “10 years ago the Round Foundry Media Centre wasn’t here, but now people have begun that growth path. The area has created over 1,000 jobs.

“One thing that can make really a difference is working collaboratively and using the strength we have as a cluster in Leeds here in Holbeck.

 “If you are planning growth and employment, it will hugely beneficial to this region. If you create 10 new jobs in the next three years it will have huge benefits and I beleive there is great potential to create huge value in the economy.”

Businesses have been urged to take the time to identify the opportunities available to them.

Marc Allen is the managing director of Leeds production firm, True North, which started 12 years ago working out of a bedroom and is now one of the largest TV production companies outside of London.

Mr Allen said: “We have seen dramatic growth. We had a turnover of £3m in 2009/2010 and we’re now predicting a turnover of £13m for 2013/2014.

“To get to where we are, we have been making excellent decisions about what we do. It is important that as a company, you identify opportunities and clearly define your goals. The most important thing we did was think outside the box and think creatively about what we are doing.

“Think about who you can meet and take advice from people.

“We are doing incredibly well and are now talking about international work.

“Our investment has been in people, technology and 19 edit suites. We have stabilised the business, but everything comes back to making excellent decisions and getting the right partners. That is how we are growing and we urge everyone to take these opportunities.”

To help bolster business, companies can take advantage of funding.

The D-Fund has been set up by investment firm Creative England in partnership with facilities management and consultancy company, Creative Space Management, to support product development projects with a strong digital component. Interest free loans of up to £50,000 are available.

This is aimed at  companies in the creative industries for companies and is a way to help businesses grow.

The Business Growth Programme has been set up to offer grants of between £10,000 and £1m. These are available through the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), with a total fund of £20m available over the next three years to drive business investment and growth.

Phil Cole, Leeds City Council’s head of business and enterprise, said: “The grants cover up to 20% of the total cost of an investment in new premises, fit outs and equipment. So, an investment of £100,000 could qualify for a grant of up to £20,000, while an investment of £250,000 could be eligible for a grant of £50,000.

“This money is for companies to grow and is to support capital investment. This provides the ability to create new job opportunities.”

David Parkin, founder of TheBusinessDesk.com said that for him, setting up a business was the most challenging thing he has ever had to do and revealed the challenges that come with running your own business.

He said: “As you grow, you know your strengths and weaknesses and if people are better at things than you, get them in to help you grow.

“We had to take advice from people and concentrate on the fact that the way people received business news was changing. We wanted to see how we could offer this news in a different way.

“There have been things we never saw coming, but we’ve now got 150,000 registered users and it has been fantastic to watch us grow, as well as this digital community in Holbeck.

“The digital sector in Yorkshire is growing. We have got great skills and great companies.”