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The Creative Industries Council, a body made up of representatives from various industries such as video games, TV, film, fashion and more, has launched Create UK: a strategy that seeks to build on the contribution these sectors make to the UK economy.
Awareness has been raised all week with the #CreateUK campaign, highlighting the work done by various creative businesses across the UK, with activity peaking during last night’s launch event at Facebook’s London office.
Representatives from these creative industries and companies – including gaming’s own UKIE, SCEE, Mastertronic, Sega, Revolution Software, Bossa Studios and Sports Interactive – attended as the strategy was outlined by Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
"The creative industries – whether it’s film, fashion, games, advertising or architecture – have a lot of world-beating firms, and it’s a privilege to me to help promote what you’re doing," Cable said last night.
Whether it’s Downton Abbey, Grand Theft Auto, One Direction or Peppa Pig, British actors, developers, musicians and animators are winning over critics and influencing audiences all over the world.
Savid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The secretary announced that games industry veteran Ian Livingstone will be ambassador for all creative industries going forward.
He also revealed that the CIC is working with Creative Skillset, Channel 4 and ITV to provide a £16m fund for skills and training programmes.
"These are real tangible things we have coming out of Create UK and the collaborative efforts we’re making," he said.
Javid added: "While I’m talking to you tonight, your sector will contribute more than half a million pounds to the British economy. Over the course of this year, that will add up to a staggering £71bn – that’s more than £1,100 for every man, woman and child in the UK.
"Whether it’s Downton Abbey, Grand Theft Auto, One Direction or Peppa Pig, British actors, developers, musicians and animators are winning over critics and influencing audiences all over the world. Wherever you look, you see British creative talent at work."
A report was released last night detailing more accomplishments of Britain’s creative industries. In 2012, they generated a combined £71bn gross value, supported 1.71m jobs and created new jobs for 890,000 people in other sectors and industries.
You can find out more information on the Create UK report and strategy at www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk.
