One Creative North Report Launched
23 May 2025 by Ed
One Creative North is a pan-northern initiative to grow the creative sectors through increased and more geographical equitable access to finance, skills training, R&D and connectivity.
One Creative North partnership to boost the North of England's creative industries.
Spearheaded by Mayor Tracy Brabin, in collaboration with Northern Mayors, and Chaired by Jude Kelly CBE, One Creative North is changing the narrative for the creative industries with a clear message that you can make it here.
The Mayor announced Jude Kelly CBE as Chair of One Creative North, for a six-month scoping exercise, at the Mayors and Leaders’ Summit in York on 4 September 2024. The position is jointly funded by the CA and Arts Council England, with administrative support from the BBC. Aligned with Local Growth Plan and central government’s Industrial Strategy, the aim of One Creative North is to grow the Creative Industries pan regionally.
One Creative North grew from research by the Royal Society of Arts, Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, and Arts Council England into creative clusters and corridors, and the potential of a Northern Creative Corridor from Liverpool to Kingston upon Hull; Sheffield to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The North is complex but there are key pillars that would benefit every place and sector: access to finance, R&D, connectivity and skills.
Nearly 70% of the Creative Industries GVA is currently in London and the South East. If creative industries in the North were operating at the same level it would contribute an additional £10 billion to the GVA and create half a million new jobs.
The North has many distinctive planets that all need to be recognised for their individual qualities. Together they form a unique galaxy with a distinctive voice. One Creative North has been formed to champion this voice.
Jude Kelly CBE
One Creative North has been formed to promote rapid growth in the creative industries of the North, support business growth and job creation, and unlock the huge potential of talent and expertise.