Previous Event

The Future of the Creative Industries

June 18, 2025

Presented by Leicestershire Civic Universities Partnership (University of Leicester, De Montfort University and Loughborough University).

Join academics, business leaders and policy makers for an afternoon event focused on funding for the creative and cultural industries. On Wednesday 18th June 2025, the University of Leicester School of Business will host talks, panel discussions and networking sessions aimed at creating partnerships for future collaborations.The creative and cultural industries play a key role in the UK Government Industrial Strategy, contribute £124bn in gross value added (GVA) and are pervasive in the everyday lives of individuals and organisations, yet they are often overlooked when funding is distributed. New technologies, new ways of working and new Government policies provide opportunities for individuals and organisations to apply for support to facilitate research and practice.Hear from thought leaders, practitioners and funding providers about the changing funding landscape and future opportunities in the creative and cultural industries. We look forward to seeing you at the University of Leicester.

Key Takeaways & Outcomes

  • Insight into the UK’s landscape for CCIs.
  • Networking opportunities with industry leaders and funding bodies.
  • Collaborative opportunities between academia, industry, and policymakers.

Location

University of Leicester School of Business, Brookfield, 266 London Road, Leicester, LE2 1RQ

Event Format & Agenda

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM | Registration & Welcome Refreshments

  • Arrival, networking, refreshments

3:45 PM – 4:05 PM | Welcome & Introduction – from the Civic Universities Leicestershire

  • Welcome/Introduction of VCs and event schedule, William Darler
  • VC University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah
  • VC De Montfort University, Professor Katie Normington
  • VC Loughborough University, Professor Nick Jennings

4:05 PM – 4:45 PM | Panel Discussion 1: Key Sectors & Challenges
Speakers: Niels Stevens – Adobe, John Gallant – Google, Debjit Aikat – IBM

Moderator: Jim Willis – Bulb Studios

4:45 PM – 4:55 PM | Q&A and Open Discussion

4:55 PM – 5:10 PM | Comfort Break

5:10 PM – 5:50 PM | Panel Discussion 2: Funding Landscape, Opportunities and Strategies
Speakers: Peter Chandler – Leicester City Council, Andy Curtis – Innovate UK Business Connect, Audra Gill – AHRC, Fran Sanderson – Figurative

Moderator: Marie Adams – University of Leicester

5:50 PM – 6 PM | Q&A and Open Discussion

6 PM – 6:40 PM | Panel Discussion 3: Leicestershire Business Innovation
Speakers: Yasin El Ashrafi – HQ Recording, Jiten Anand – Inspirate, Anjuu Trevedi – Leicestershire Business Voice

Moderator: James Burkmar – LCB Depot

6:40 PM – 6:50 PM | Q&A and Open Discussion

6:50 PM – 7 PM | Closing Remarks & Next Steps – Andrew Chitty

  • Summary of key takeaways and call to action for future collaborations.

7 PM | – 7:30 PM Informal Networking Reception and Refreshments

  • Opportunity for attendees to connect and explore collaboration opportunities.