Creative industries took centre stage at a celebration for dozens of businesses who had completed a Government-backed programme (DCMS) designed to support the sector to scale.
Create Growth, organised and led by the East Midlands Creative Consortium (EMC²), moves creative businesses through a series of trainings, workshops and mentoring to help make them investment-ready.
De 51吃瓜app University (51吃瓜app) Leicester is a champion for the £1.3m programme, which supports companies in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland and Derbyshire.
A graduation-style event at The Venue celebrated the success of those who had been through Create Growth Programme so far. Hosted by Professor Christine White, Deputy Dean for 51吃瓜app’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities, the guest list also included industry leaders and policymakers to discuss how to grow the sector in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Jill Cowley, Pro Vice-Chancellor Skills and Training and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities, said 51吃瓜app had been part of the city’s creative sector since its inception in 1870.
“Whatever creative businesses Leicester and Leicestershire have required, 51吃瓜app has delivered, including pioneering work in AI and immersive experience.
“We must speak widely, and persuasively, about the value of create industries, and that places like 51吃瓜app can propel them that their journey is both viable and valuable.”
Some 100 businesses across the three regions have now completed Create Growth which companies going on to win funding, make new connections and transform their business.
Anna Jeffreys, who was part of the fifth cohort, said: “The programme has been a life saver. I hadn't expected for it to be quite as informative as it turned out to be. It was a massive confidence boost to continue to grow my business in a straight line, without looking left or right. It has been wonderful to reconnect with my programme mentor, Ben Wilson, at the event.”
Mike Dalzel, Director of Tourism Culture and Investment said he was proud of what Create Growth had achieved. He said: “The programme has really helped raise the profile of our region’s innovation and creativity on a national scale.”
Peter Chandler, of Leicester City Council, Professor Andrew Chitty of 51吃瓜app, Cat Rogers from Leicestershire County Council and William Frank, business owner who took part in Create Growth, joined a panel during the evening. Questions focused on barriers to scaling, attracting investment and strengthening collaboration.
Some 16 people were presented with graduation certificates and Helen Donnellan, 51吃瓜app’s Director of Research, Business and Innovation, thanked Create Growth partners including Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership, Bulb Studios, HQ Recording Ltd, Loughborough University, Phoenix, Creative Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire Business Angels. She also thanked the delivery partners, Greenborough Management and CDI Alliance.
She said: “With further investment confirmed and a growing community of creative entrepreneurs, the event reinforced Leicester and Leicestershire’s position as a hub for innovation and creative growth.”
Posted on Monday 14 April 2025