Task force to champion region's creative offer

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A new task force has been set up through the Leeds Initiative to champion the region's creative and digital industries sector.

The announcement coincides with the disclosure of new figures by Yorkshire Forward which show that employment in the sector has grown by over 16%  making it the fastest growing region in the UK.

Leeds remains the region's main centre for companies in creative and digital industries, accounting for over 25%  of employment in the sector, with the Leeds City Region accounting for nearly 50% of the businesses and employment.  A total of 113,400 people are employed in 14,900 digital and new media businesses across the Yorkshire and Humber Region, generating nearly £7 billion GVA – representing 7% of the region's economy.

The Creative Leeds task force is chaired by Steve Smith, College Director&Dean of the Faculty of Media and Design Communications at Leeds College of Art. It has brought  together senior representatives of key agencies working in the sector, including Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Forward, Screen Yorkshire, Leeds College of Art, Leeds Arts Partnership, Leeds Media, Leeds Chamber of Commerce and Arts Council England, Yorkshire.

Leeds City Council and Yorkshire Forward have invested over £30 million to support the regeneration of Holbeck Urban Village as a new business and residential quarter focused on the creative and digital industries.

Members of the task force are participating in a fact finding mission to Barcelona this week to learn more from their European counterparts about how Barcelona has positioned itself internationally as a centre for creative industries, within the top five largest creative communities in  Europe.

Delegates will meet key stakeholders in the Catalan capital who will share their strategies for supporting and championing this sector. They will also explore future business opportunities and European funding for potential collaboration between Leeds and Barcelona.

The trade mission is part of Leeds in Barcelona, a week-long showcase of the city's business and cultural offer organised by Marketing Leeds with support from UKTI and the British Consulate in Barcelona.

Chair of the task force Steve Smith said: “The creative and digital industries sector is a vital part of the city's cultural offer and its offer as a business location.

"Investment by public sector agencies in regeneration programmes such as Holbeck Urban Village and the support of organisations such as Screen Yorkshire, Arts Council England, Leeds Arts Partnership, Creative Networks, Leeds Media and the Chamber of Commerce, has played a key role in helping to develop and grow the sector.

"Figures from Yorkshire Forward show that Leeds is an outstanding performer in the sector. The connection with Barcelona gives us the opportunity to showcase the city's offer to a European audience."

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