Creating growth

The UK's creative industries - from advertising agencies to video games developers - are a significant source of innovation for the UK economy, and have generated millions of pounds in revenue and thousands of new jobs. This report analyses the current challenges facing these industries, and provides insights for future planning.

This report identifies a significant change in climate that may impact on many businesses: "The UK's creative industries are facing increasing international competition. In particular, creative businesses and policymakers need to appreciate the scale of the competitive challenges now facing these sectors in the UK."

As well as advocating a "renewed policy approach," the report suggests that many businesses also need to re-think their priorities. It argues that "the purpose of creative business is to harness and exploit creativity in a commercial context and for commercial ends. Creative businesses in the UK need a greater awareness of business strategy skills and related core skills such as financial planning." 

The report makes clear that a growing international market is there to be won by UK creative businesses that are able to innovate and do not see any inherent conflict between creative excellence and commercial success. The ambition to win a greater share of this market will help to ensure that the UK becomes a creative hub for the world.

Published
April 2006

Author
NESTA

Report
Download the report (PDF)