A specialist programme designed to grow West Yorkshire’s creative industries and the regional economy is back for a second year after helping around 40 businesses to secure over £1 million of investment.
The region’s ‘Create Growth’ programme – funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – is now open to applications from creative businesses that are ready to scale-up, attract investment and break into new markets through tailored support, mentoring and high-profile networking opportunities.
In the inaugural year of the programme, 78% of the 41 businesses that took part expanded their teams, 61% developed or launched new products, and 66% reported a growth in turnover, securing a combined total of £1.2 million in investment from private sector investors and Innovate UK, the country’s innovation agency.
It follows the creative industries being identified by the UK Government as a key growth sector, with West Yorkshire being named as one of six creative industries priority places set to receive funding as part of next month’s Spending Review. It will support the region to maximise its strengths, deliver on its growth plans, and encourage strong, continued investment in the creative industries to create jobs and vibrant places.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Ensuring that our creative sector thrives, creates more jobs and attracts inward investment will turbocharge economic growth and help us to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.
“This innovative programme has given creative businesses in West Yorkshire the tools and support they need to grow.
“I’m thrilled that more local businesses will have the opportunity to fulfil their potential as we open applications for a second year.”
Caroline Norbury OBE, CEO of Creative UK, said: “It’s positive to see the Create Growth Programme return to West Yorkshire for another year.
“Its first iteration, delivered by Creative UK and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, was a vital springboard for some of the most innovative creative businesses from the region, who were able to gain exposure to a broad range of investors at our regional and national investment summits earlier this year.
“This second run of the West Yorkshire Create Growth Programme promises to continue the job of providing investment readiness support to businesses who will help drive forward the creative industries which, in 2024, made up 9.8% of all UK businesses and which have been identified by UK Government as a key growth sector.”
In February, the successful businesses exhibited their ideas at the Big Creative UK Summit in Bradford to an audience of over 150 investors, partners, creative networks and local business owners, with several taking part in a pitching competition.
Bradford-based gymwear brand Samson Athletics delivered the winning pitch and won a stand at the UK’s Festival of Business Growth, Climb25 – taking place in Leeds in July.
Sam Cordingley, owner of Samson Athletics said: “The Create growth programme has really pushed me out of my comfort zone.
“I am often squirrelled away working in the business and not on the business; the programme has pulled me out and put me in front of people.
“I’ve been pitching, which is certainly not something I would have been doing without the programme.”
The ‘Create Growth’ programme is delivered in partnership with Creative UK and West Yorkshire Combined Authority as part of Mayor Brabin’s You Can Make It Here campaign – a £2.3 million support package designed to grow the region’s creative industries and create opportunities for talent to thrive.
