NEWS: UK creative industries celebrated as global success

UK creative industries celebrated as An international success Story

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The UK creative industries were celebrated as a success story with the potential to shape the UK’s future influence and trading partnerships across the world at a Parliamentary event yesterday.

The House of Commons reception, hosted by the industry members of the Creative Industries Council (CIC), a partnership of industry and government, highlighted that the creative industries generated £87bn of economic value for the UK in 2015 – growing three times faster than the rest of the economy.

MPs and industry leaders at the event were told there are an estimated 2.9m jobs in the wider UK creative economy, which is also expanding faster than the total UK jobs market.

In addition, the creative industries account for approximately 9 per cent of the UK’s service exports, attracting success in all parts of the world.

The speakers at the event were Rt. Hon Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Nicola Mendelsohn CBE, VP, EMEA Facebook, and Co-Industry Chair of the CIC, and John McVay, Chief Executive of Pact, the TV, film and content producers’ trade association, and Chair of the CIC diversity group.

They praised the contribution to the UK’s economic and cultural wellbeing made by the creative industries and emphasised the potential for the future international success of UK creative enterprises.

Nicola Mendelsohn CBE, VP, EMEA Facebook, and Co-Industry Chair of the CIC, said:

“The success of our industries is accelerating and we want to keep talking about it to ensure we are at the heart of the Government’s future strategy.

“We have the opportunity over the next few years to consolidate and grow the UK’s position as a truly global centre for the creative industries, at the heart of the world’s digital economy.”

John McVay, Chief Executive of Pact, and Chair of the CIC diversity group, said:

"The CIC members are committed to ensuring that the UK's best creative talents - wherever they are - can thrive in one of the country’s most successful and global industries. "

The Rt. Hon Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, said:

“The creative industries are a vital and growing part of the UK economy and play a key role in shaping the UK’s image and reputation abroad.

"We are one of the top destinations for media and entertainment investment in the world, and that's because of the global reach of our culture, creativity and expertise.

“We ​are work​ing​ with our creative industries to seize the exciting opportunities that will flow from Britain's new place in the world."

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