SMEs in film, TV, games and digital media to benefit from Creative England and Nesta partnership
In order to strengthen its mentoring of the creative industry Creative England and Nesta have formed a partnership to provide a mentoring programme using Nesta’s Creative Business Mentoring Network model.
Creative business leaders will be invited to mentor talented and growing SMEs in film, TV, games and digital media, with leaders including Hat Trick Productions CEO, Jimmy Mulville; Ingenious Media CEO, Patrick McKenna; and Peter Molyneux, CEO 22 Cans, already on the board.
“Supporting creative companies is not just about investing money, the Creative Business Mentor Programme is about passing on valuable knowledge from successful mentors in the industry, providing on-going support, and ensuring that our creative businesses continue to thrive,” commented Jim Farmery, director of business investment at Creative England.
Co-funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the initiative aims to support 90 SMEs by March 2015 and will be tailored to the sector-specific needs of creative businesses combining aspects of Nesta’s mentoring model with research from Creative England and European Creative Industries Alliance Cluster 2020 project.
Jon Kingsbury, director of creative economy programmes at Nesta, added: “The UK has one of the most vibrant and exciting creative industries in the world. To keep this sector strong and to ensure it continues to thrive, it is vital that business skills and expertise are shared by those working in the industry. This is where mentoring steps in, helping up-and-coming creative businesses to grow successfully. We’re delighted to be working with our industry partners to be building on our tried and tested model of mentoring.”
The Creative Business Mentor Programme aims to start mentoring in April with a programme that includes networking events, workshops and coaching. The programme will also be supported by UKIE, The Supper Club and Creative Skillset.