Creative UK

It’s official... today is the first day for our new Chief Executive, @emilyclokeuk . Emily takes up her post today as the new CEO of Creative UK. Her career has spanned diplomacy, law and film production – and has seen her champion the cultural and creative industries on a global scale. Here’s to working in partnership with our fantastic network, to achieve more growth for this impactful sector. Welcome, Emily!

Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. That’s why it’s always been important to us to support creatives from different regions across the UK. We’ve supported over 5,200 creative businesses in regions up and down the country over the past five years. From Plymouth to the North East, our local teams have worked directly in the regions delivering programmes like... -Breakout with @netflix – the scheme for debut filmmakers -Ideate Manchester – supporting immersive storytelling -The West Midlands Production Fund – investing in sustainable films and drama -Advance Wakefield – connecting businesses with mentors These programmes are just the tip of the iceberg. More recently we’ve worked with partners across the country to deliver the North East Culture and Creative Investment Programme; the Create Growth Programme – helping businesses to become investment ready; and Creative Enterprise’s multitude of game-changing programmes for screen businesses. Read about the other ways we’ve helped the creative industries to evolve in our Impact Report – celebrating five years of Creative UK. Find links in our bio. #CreativeIndustries #CreativeUK #ImpactReport

“The arts aren’t a luxury – they’re an export.” At the Cultural and Creative Industries Pavilion at #Lab25, filmmaker and satirist Armando Iannucci reminded us that the UK’s Creative Industries are not a side note - they are central to our economy and global identity. “The Creative Industries make up 6% of our economy and 7% of our workforce - that’s the GDP equivalent of the oil and car industries combined. If it were an AI system or a weapon system, ministers would be out all around the world trying to sell it.” Our creative skills, talent and studios are world-class, and it’s time they were recognised as such. 🎥 Watch the Cultural and Creative Industries Pavilion Programme from #LAB25 through the link in our bio #CreativeUK #ArmandoIannucci #CreativeEconomy #CulturalIndustries

What do investors actually look for? It's not just the idea. It is the people behind it, and whether they can deliver. In this article, Tom Sweetsur explores what makes a business truly investable. From having the right mindset as a founder, to building a plan that feels grounded in reality, to showing a clear grasp of your numbers. He also shares what “investment readiness” really looks like in practice, and what founders should be focusing on now if they want to raise in the next 12 months. Read the full article via the link in our bio🔗 #CreativeUK #InvestmentReadiness #CreativeIndustries #BusinessGrowth #AccessToFinance

A dynamic film & TV conference is coming to #Manchester this June This year, Creative UK is thrilled to be a partner for Mythos Manchester 2026; a leading UK event connecting film, television, and the wider creative industries with finance, investment, and growth opportunities. With @houseofdogstar Taking place on 10–11 June, Mythos is bringing together producers, writers, directors, and creative entrepreneurs who are actively developing projects, building slates, and seeking finance for content and creative businesses. What's on? 10 June – Screenwriting Masterclass with Paul Fraser A focused three-hour masterclass on story development, structure and more, led by acclaimed screenwriter Paul Fraser, writer of Saipan and long-time collaborator with Shane Meadows. 11 June – Mythos Manchester Main Event Convening 300 senior leaders from across film, TV, gaming, finance, and tech, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with producers, financiers, and creative founders. Sessions and panel talks will be focusing on funding, co-production, and scaling projects both nationally and internationally. Current confirmed speakers include @andyburnhamgm , and voices from @screen_yorkshire , @filmtvcharity , @bbciplayer , @screenscots , @ukprivatecapital , @Lionsgate , @YouTube and @wearecreativeuk 's Nick Donaghy and Carol Bell OBE, alongside many many more. Access discounted tickets up until 22 May using the code CUK25 - grab yours at the link in our bio 🔗

What was and wasn’t included in the King’s Speech that could impact the creative sector? On Wednesday, the King's Speech marked the State of Opening of Parliament and set out the UK Government’s legislative agenda. But what were the key announcements that could impact organisations and individuals operating in the cultural and creative industries. And, perhaps just as importantly, what wasn’t included? Our Policy and Research team have compiled key takeaways ahead of sharing a more detailed member briefing next week. What was a key takeaway for you and your organisation? To read more, check out the link in our bio.

What does meaningful EDI action look like in practice? @geniedatabase (Gender Equality Networks in Europe) is an online database of over 400 projects across 27 countries in Europe supporting with gender equality in music. In our Create Diversity case study, we interviewed Grace Goodwin, founder of GENiE, to learn more about how this EDI activity manifests as her version of activism and how she uses her strong research skills to drive change. Read the full case study through the link in our bio. #EDI #Equality #CreativeIndustries

How do we champion the creative sector in an increasingly fragmented political landscape?   With the results now in, our Policy and Research team have produced analysis for members examining what they mean for the UK's cultural and creative industries. Have a read of the team’s headline insights here, while members can find a comprehensive briefing on the portal (links in the comments).   Headlines for the sector:   The UK Government had positioned the sector as one of eight growth driving priorities in its Industrial Strategy, but the geography of delivery has now become far more politically complex.   -Reform gains in England have taken place in areas where creative industries are already embedded in local growth plans (Hartlepool, Wigan and Halton), while high profile mayoral wins for the Green in London consolidated their position as a significant force in urban and university-linked areas.   - Culture appears to have been reinforced as a central plank of national policy in Scotland, with the SNP retaining its position as the largest party in the country, despite Reform UK emerging as a new and significant force north of the border. Proposals such as a minimum income for artists and a Youth Culture Pass set the SNP apart from the Labour government in Westminster.   - Plaid Cymru made history by ending a century of Labour dominance in Wales, while also succeeding in blocking Nigel Farage’s ascendant Reform UK from becoming the largest party in the expanded Senedd. The key test is whether Wales’s cultural and creative industries - which now account for 5.6% of the country’s GDP and employ more than 100,000 workers - will receive the same political understanding and focus that helped create a dynamic sector now worth over £5bn.   For the full policy briefing (open to Creative UK members), please see the link in our bio.

It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, and this year’s theme is Action. At Creative UK, we’ve been reflecting on the ways in which we take action to better work culture and experience for our staff, while taking learnings from best practice across our network, and influencing some cross-sector change along the way. Caroline Hinds MCIPD, our Director of People & Operations, shared that: “As an organisation, we think about the wellbeing and mental health of our colleagues all year round. Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportune time for us to focus in on this, but it certainly doesn't end there. Our values shape how we support mental health and wellbeing. We focus on trust, openness, listening and continuous promotion of flexible hybrid working, mental health days, family-friendly policies, Summer Fridays, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), life assurance and employee-led groups. Perhaps most importantly, we speak to our colleagues to find out what matters to them in terms of wellbeing so that we can take appropriate action. Our sentiment surveys enable us to make adjustments throughout the year, so our people feel supported and valued, in and beyond work.” Creative UK’s action to support mental health and wellbeing looks like: -EAPs providing confidential, 24/7 counselling and support for staff -A paid Mental Health Day every year for staff to take when they need it most -Mental Health First Aiders who are trained to provide support and guidance where required -A paid volunteering day every year so staff can get up from their desk and give back to local communities -Additional leave time to help our staff maintain a healthy work-life balance, including a day off on birthdays and early Friday finishes in Summer -Several employee-led affinity groups which help its members cultivate further community and social change across our organisation, including the Pride Group, Disability & Neurodiversity Group, and Parents & Carers Group What action does your organisation take to support mental health?

The future of screen storytelling doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in rooms full of founders, filmmakers, producers, freelancers and creative businesses sharing ideas, swapping experiences and building connections that last long after the event ends. And that’s exactly what the Creative Enterprise team made happen across England this April through a series of regional events. Bringing together talent from film, TV, games, digital content and createch, the tour celebrated the journeys of creative founders while opening up honest conversations around growth, funding, resilience and navigating the industry. Across four cities, Creative Enterprise Live sparked new collaborations, shared practical insights and created space for genuine community, a reminder that creative careers grow stronger when people have opportunities to connect. Find the link in our bio to read more about the tour.

Take a look at the latest initiatives from our members. - @uk_screenskills latest report examines the skills needed to drive the UK’s screen industry and protect Britain’s creative edge. - On 23 June 2026, The White Label Auction will raise money for @thebrittrust , supporting causes that use the power of music to improve lives. - The international art agency @artiqgram is hiring a Co-Founder's Associate to work directly alongside one of its founders, apply by 10 May. - @bafta_albert is marking 15 years of working with the UK’s film and TV industry to help create measurable climate action and sustainable choices. - TAKE A PART CIO is opening up its toolkit to local authorities, strategists, and funders to help you navigate community-led advocacy and placemaking in your home regions. From 7-28 May. - @southamptonforward has published its full Impact Report, covering 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2026. - A major new report from @fashionroundtable has found that the UK fashion and textiles sector is not constrained by a lack of talent, demand or ambition, but by the way it is governed. - @bpi_music 's recently-published All About The Music 2026 reveals the rock genre was behind 22.2% of singles music consumption last year. - @inspiredaub 's Strategy 2030+ defines the key priorities that will guide the institution's development of its people and students, curriculum, and partnerships with industry. - The latest episode of the @royalcollegeofart ’s Podcast discusses the reality of building a life in the creative industries today. - Take part in Figuative's survey to help shape the future of arts finance, exploring a new type of repayable finance for arts and culture organisations in the UK. Visit our stories to find links. 📸 Image from @uk_screenskills / Erroll Jones

Today, three nations go to the polls, but what could it mean for the creative industries? With local elections taking place in Scotland, Wales and England, change is on the horizon and significant shifts are expected. With our eye ever on the sector, we've brought together three sector leaders to reflect on what the results could mean for the cultural and creative industries, exploring the risks and opportunities facing the sector in an evolving political landscape. Read an excerpt from the English elections article by Nick Poole, CEO of Ukie here. For links to the full article, plus articles on the Welsh and Scottish local elections, head to the link in bio.