Industry professionals will have the opportunity to attend the first Creative Industries Federation (CIF) international conference set to take place on 12 July in London – and the impressive lineup of speakers reads like a Who’s Who of British greats.
Starting at 1.30pm with a welcome by CIF chief executive John Kampfner and Nicholas Kenyon (managing director, Barbican Centre), discussions will cover the breadth of issues facing the creative industries in Great Britain today.
CIF was founded in 2015 by prolific designer and creative industries activist John Sorrell. Awarded a CBE for his contributions to the sector, Sorrell is a recipient of a Royal Society of Arts Bicentenary Medal, holds a stack of honorary doctorates and founded The Sorrell Foundation with his wife – a charitable arm that supports young people to explore art and design via Saturday clubs.
Sorrell was joined in his ambitions for CIF in 2015 by television stalwart Peter Bazalgette (Royal Television Society, National Film School, Endemol, Arts Council England (ACE)); Nicholas Serota (Tate museums and galleries and ACE); Tim Davie (BBC Worldwide); Caroline Rush (British Fashion Council) and Amanda Nevill (British Film Institute).
Sessions confirmed include Brand Britain and the creative industries – the view today, chaired by broadcaster and presenter Kirsty Lang, with contributions by Tristram Hunt, (director of Victoria and Albert Museum) and Sophie Turner Laing (group chief executive, Endemol Shine), who will discuss the challenges that might affect global future success in the sector.
Economic and political landscapes – one year on from Brexit covers Britain’s global, national and political outlooks as discussed by Kampfner with Andrzej Szczepaniak (UK Economist, Barclays); Laura Kuenssberg (political editor, BBC News); Jon Snow (journalist, Channel 4 News); James Rubin, commentator and lecturer on US foreign policy and world affairs; and Elif Shafak, an award-winning Turkish novelist and political commentator.
Late afternoon sessions cover Soft power, open doors and what’s new in the U.A.E.; and Creativity and the nexus between science and technology.
The day comes to a musical close with an interview with Syrian violinist Mariela Shaker, who will perform alongside Riyad Nicolas on piano. A summer drinks reception with canapés will top of the day’s events in the Wohl Room at the National Gallery.
Tickets for the CIF conference start £60 +VAT for named members and £300 +VAT for non-members. You can register your interest online here – though not everyone is guaranteed a place.
