Creative East’s official launch celebrated at Theatre Royal

Over 60 movers and shakers from the region’s creative industries celebrated the launch of Creative East: Create Growth Programme on 28 February.

Representatives from the region’s top creative industries flocked to the Theatre Royal in Norwich to hear how the new investment readiness programme will support businesses with high growth aspirations.

Suffolk-based film Producer, Richard Johns, was one of the keynote speakers, he’d recently shot ‘The Shepherd’ in Norfolk, which stars John Travolta. He said: “It’s one thing to make a single film, or indeed a TV series, it’s another to grow a business. Local businesses need to think big. If you’re a regional creator, you can start here, build a sustainable business and create jobs.”

“Don’t think you have to move to London, Hollywood or anywhere else, the technology is here, so you just need to adapt your mindset to work locally but trade globally.”
Richard Johns

Creative industries in the Eastern region are bucking the national trend. Employment in the creative sector is increasing three times faster than the national average. Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia LEP, explains: “Creative industries are thriving in our region and this programme will support their ambitions for growth and help create the high value jobs we need to retain and attract the top talent.”