The story so far...
13 March 2023
A look back at what the West Midlands creative content sector has achieved since we launched as we prepare to announce our next phase of activities.
We are approaching the end of our inaugural programme of activities supported by the BFI’s National Cluster Growth Fund (National Lottery) and finalising a plan to 2030 and beyond for the future of the creative content industries in the West Midlands.
Before we announce our next round of activities, and the continuing evolution of Create Central, it’s a good time to look back on what has been achieved so far by the region’s creative content sector working together through Create Central.
Create Central’s delivery and impact have been independently evaluated by internationally renowned BOP Consulting & the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WMREDI). The full report is available below and there is also an executive summary with case studies that highlight the very tangible difference we’ve been able to make in this short time.
Look out for announcements about what we have planned next coming soon.
Create Central, the industry-led body set up in late 2019, was launched with the purpose of turbo-charging the West Midlands creative content industries.
With £2million of investment, £1million through the BFI’s National Cluster Growth Fund using National Lottery money, £500,000 investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and other match-funding partnerships, to deliver a long-term growth plan specifically to meet the needs of the West Midlands’ film, TV, games, XR and digital content businesses.
The independent evaluation, conducted by BOP Consulting and WMREDI, has revealed that Create Central is well-placed to strengthen its delivery in coming years, building on the strategic foundations established.
BOP & WMREDI’s findings are that Create Central has established credibility and legitimacy through:
development of a clear production and inward investment strategy including the establishment of a West Midlands Production Services Group
a long-term partnership agreement with the BBC, which has already seen the announcement of the MasterChef family of programmes coming to the region
creation of a new Creative Content Hub at The Bond in Digbeth to act as a lighting rod for new production, training, development, meet the commissioner events and networking opportunities for the next generation of production talent
innovation and cross-sector working projects including the development of Urban Jungle AR app for Coventry City of Culture and Innovate:Create; a series of challenges for creative SMEs from big brands with development funding and business support
skills delivery bootcamps including the Host Broadcast Initiative with Sunset+Vine which trained over 150 local people to work on the live broadcast of the Commonwealth Games
growing the Create Central brand, by activities like winning the bid to host the Creative Cities Convention for 2022.
Chair of Create Central, Ed Shedd, said: “We established Create Central to provide energetic, collaborative leadership for our amazing creative content sector in the West Midlands. We have built early momentum, delivering an exciting programme of activity, developed by our industry, for our industry. This evaluation is a very positive endorsement of the work we have done so far and a solid foundation for the work we have yet to do.”
TV Production Bootcamp - photo by Common Story
Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive said: “The West Midlands film, TV and video games sector has an important role to play in contributing creatively and economically to the UK screen industry, as well to the West Midlands local industrial strategy. We are delighted that BFI National Lottery funding has supported Create Central in delivering some great results for the region in its first two years - including generating new partnerships with broadcasters, developing a new production and inward investment strategy, and supporting skills bootcamps. All of this work is hugely valuable to the growth of the UK screen sector, creating jobs and new trading opportunities in the longer term.”
Positive Realities
Create Central brings together leaders from across the creative content sector of the West Midlands, who are so passionate about this region that they have volunteered their time to serve as members and have been pioneering a model of collaborative leadership for the creative content sector in the West Midlands.
Alongside the private sector leadership of Create Central, the organisation benefits from a close relationship with key public sector organisations in the West Midlands, including the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) and the three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), The Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands, West Midlands Combined Universities, WM5G and other public sector organisations that serve the region.
Following on from this positive evaluation, and with the endorsement of the West Midlands Economic Growth Board, Create Central is leading the development of a plan for the creative content industries in the region to 2030 and beyond.
The Bond - in progress
DOWNLOAD THE SUMMARY REPORT (6.92MB)
The full report (820KB) is also available to download.