Keeping the UK’s creative industries globally competitive: a playbook to protect our future prosperity and security
This paper is now published - read the full report on the University of the Arts London website.
A major commission with the University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London (UAL) and Erskine Analysis are leading a commission to understand how to ensure the UK’s creative industries remain globally competitive and are recognised as a crucial soft-power asset, valued for the significant benefits they offer.
The outcome, to be authored by Creative Industries expert Eliza Easton, ‘Keeping the UK’s creative industries globally competitive: a playbook to protect our future prosperity and security’, will provide concrete proposals in the areas of trade, migration, and foreign policy. It is scheduled for publication in late Spring 2024.
On its launch UAL Chief Social Purpose Officer Polly Mackenzie said:
“As a leading institution for the creative industries in the UK, UAL has a social purpose and a responsibility, not only for our current students and alumni but for future generations of creatives, creative practise, and the world in which we live. “This commission is the first in a programme of work to support, shape and elevate the creative industries. Creativity has the power to make radical changes in all areas of society. It can offer solutions to some of the biggest issues we face together, including the need for equitable prosperity and environmental regeneration and replenishment.
“That is why UAL’s mission is to cement the UK’s status as a creative powerhouse, and its global reputation as an industry that has a positive impact on the nation’s health, prosperity, wellbeing and future security.”
UAL President and Vice-Chancellor James Purnell said:
“We believe that the world can be changed through creative endeavour and know that there’s a growing body of evidence demonstrating that the UK’s economy can only benefit from our creative industries remaining globally competitive and thriving.
“This commission will create an undeniable case for a collective behaviour and mindset shift and outline the steps we can take together to safeguard and elevate the creative industries, where culture is regarded as essential infrastructure, indispensable to our security, our wellbeing, and our national life.”
Partners and advisors
This commission has been set up by UAL in partnership with Eliza Easton, Founder of Erskine Analysis, in response to changes in the UK’s changing geopolitical situation over the past decade. It will take into consideration the crucial role the creative industries play within the UK economy as an exporting powerhouse and vital employer, as well as the impact of Brexit and global unrest.
Advisors who span the cultural, arts and political spectrum have been appointed to contribute to this crucial piece of work. This Advisory Board is chaired by James Purnell, Vice Chancellor of the University of the Arts London.
Members include:
Joanna Abeyie - co-Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Creative Diversity, former journalist and broadcaster
Jonathan Badyal - Director of Communications at Universal Music UK and Deputy Chair at the Black Country Living Museum
Tracy Brabin - Mayor of West Yorkshire
Baroness Bull - dancer, writer, broadcaster and member of the House of Lords
Harriet Finney - Deputy Chief Executive of the BFI
Jon Garvie - International policy expert
Fran Hegyi - Executive Director of the Edinburgh International Festival
Suhair Khan - Creative leader and entrepreneur connecting culture and technology
Polly Mackenzie - Chief Social Purpose Officer at UAL
Lord Mendoza - Chair of Historic England, Provost of Oriel College and member of the House of Lords
John Newbigin - Ambassador for the creative industries for the Mayor of London and creative industries expert
Rathna Ramanathan - Head of College, Central Saint Martins
Baroness Rebuck - Chair of Penguin Random House UK and member of the House of Lords
Caroline Rush - Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council and Chair of the Creative Industries Trade and Investment Board
Christopher Smith - Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Kate Varah - Executive Director of the National Theatre
Get involved
We are looking for case studies, research and ideas. If you have any of these please contact Eliza@ErskineAnalysis.com
Erskine Analysis have also launched a survey which we need creative industries businesses and freelancers to fill in in order to help us to understand their experiences of trade, migration and foreign policy. Please fill it in here, and share within your networks.
Live projects page photo credit: Samuel Regan-Asante
