The Creative Industries Federation and Creative England have announced they are joining forces to create a new super organisation. Launching in Spring 2020, the combined entity will support UK-wide networks and champion the creative sector via investment, research and campaigns.
Explaining her reasons for the united front Caroline Norbury, chief executive and founder of Creative England, said: “The enterprises and individuals that make up our creative industries are some of Britain’s most valuable assets. But, despite the opportunities and potential ahead, our sector suffers from unequal access to the support and resources needed for individuals and organisations to reach their full creative potential. This imbalance represents lost opportunities for individuals and communities as well as a loss to the national economy.”
The creative industries is the UK’s fastest-growing sector, employing more than two million people, worth GBP101.5bn (€113.9) to the economy. In a press statement the two organisations said the new structure will be better placed to bring SMEs, creators, freelancers and startups together with big brands; represent and champion the interdependent commercial and subsidised elements within the creative industries; support creative businesses at grassroots level; and work with partners to secure the success of the creative economy in every region of the UK and across the devolved nations.
Alan Bishop, chief executive, CIF, said: “It is crucial that we all work together more closely to secure the continued success of our creative industries. Given Creative England and the Creative Industries Federation’s shared mission we believe that we will be able to make more of a difference working together than alone.
“As we work together to build this new organisation, we will be listening to the sector to ensure that we are best able to serve the creators, freelancers, enterprises and businesses that comprise our world leading creative industries.
“This includes working closely with the many fantastic organisations already doing great work, and ensuring that our own role enabling this ecosystem for growth benefits our collaborators across all parts of the creative industries throughout the UK.”
Since 2012 Creative England has worked with GBP20m worth of investment and will next month announce a new finance intervention, designed to enable an even larger number of creative businesses around the UK to grow.
Added Norbury: “Creative England and the Creative Industries Federation are coming together to ensure growth, inclusion and innovation for the creative industries is supercharged. By harnessing the combined impact of culture, commerce and creativity we can make much more than the sum of those parts.”
Organisations and individuals are encouraged to share their views on the news at wearecreativeindustries.com