Where Will Britain Find Its Future Creative Leaders?
Join us for this exclusive morning briefing to explore how Britain can develop its next generation of talent
The creative sector is a major engine of UK growth, generating £145bn in GVA and supporting more than 2.4 million jobs. Yet 43% of creative employers report skills shortages or gaps, while a new generation is struggling to find a way into work. Almost a million young people are outside employment, education or training (NEET), taking youth unemployment back to levels not seen for more than a decade. For businesses, failure to address this talent gap means weaker productivity, growing recruitment pressures and lost opportunities for growth.
How can the sector turn this untapped potential into the talent it needs for the future? What can brands, studios and educators do to create clearer routes into creative work, particularly for young people without established networks, so that businesses can attract the best talent, not just the best connected? What role should the public sector play in equipping young people for the world of work, and how should employers respond as technology changes the skills and entry-level roles the sector needs? What do UK businesses need to retain their best young creative talent and stop them leaving for other cities abroad?
Hosted by the Financial Times at the new International Convention Centre at Olympia, this event will bring together senior leaders from global brands, the creative sector and the public sector to examine how Britain develops its next generation of talent – and the economic cost of getting it wrong. From skills and education to access and recruitment, the discussion will explore what businesses and institutions can change now to build the creative leaders of the future.
Key Discussion Points
Breaking down barriers to creative careers
Exploring how the creative industries can attract young talent, widen access and create opportunities for those without traditional networks or connections.
Rethinking pathways into employment
Examining the role of apprenticeships, technical training and alternative routes in building a stronger pipeline of creative talent.
AI’s potential to reshape hiring and early careers
How can the creative sector use technology to widen access rather than eliminate the first rung of the ladder?
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Speaking Opportunities
Kate Bassett
kate.bassett@ft.com
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