Hundreds of creative industry professionals came together in a two-day virtual event in the North of England.
The Creative Leaders Festival 2021, was organised by GC Business Growth Hub on behalf of The Growth Company, from May 25 to 26.
The virtual expo provided advice about support available to the sector and its sub-sectors to help businesses plan and grow, with the two-day event featuring a series of high-profile speakers, roundtable discussions and workshop sessions. More than 70 industry experts from creative, digital and tech industries spoke at the event.
Guests included Creative England’s Mehjabeen Patrick; Manchester International Festival’s Paul Clay; Northern Ballet’s Chief Executive Mark Skipper, and co-chair of Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership and CEO of Magnetic North Lou Cordwell OBE.
This is the second festival following last year’s inaugural event, which covered the North West and attracted more than 450 delegates to register.
The event is was supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Minister of State for Digital and Culture, Caroline Dinenage, said: "The creative industries will play a vital role in helping to drive the economy as we build back better from the pandemic.
"It is fantastic to see thriving creative industries across the north where the sector is continuing to make important strides as part of our levelling up agenda. This festival is a great opportunity to celebrate this success and be inspired for the future.”
Head of Digital, Creative, and Tech at the Hub, Sarah Novotny, said: “We know that the creative sector has been hit hard by the pandemic, but some businesses have also been presented with more favourable trading conditions and opportunities to grow.
“Diversity and inclusivity will play a key role. With diversity, will come innovation and innovation will help build resilience and stronger businesses in the future. We are looking forward to hundreds joining us over the two days.”
