West Midlands IP Content Fund announced
19 July 2024
Create Central, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Creative UK are delighted to announce the signing of a joint agreement to launch a new creative screen content fund in the West Midlands that will be targeted at the development of original creative ideas and IP (Intellectual Property) from West Midlands creative companies – the West Midlands IP Content Fund (WMIPCF).
The launch of the fund delivers one of the five key missions identified by Create Central’s industry members in Shape the Future, launched after extensive region-wide industry consultation in May 2023.
Creative UK, who already manage the longstanding West Midlands Production Fund, will oversee the operation of this new regional opportunity, which is being established with funding from WMCA via the UK’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Create Central will provide on-going local industry expertise and guidance to ensure that the fund maximises the benefits to the West Midlands creative community.
Building on successful pilot projects previously run by Create Central with the BBC and Channel 4, the fund will be used to support a range of initiatives tailored to meet the needs of the local screen industries and support the development of original IP in the West Midlands across a range of narrative content, including film, TV and other screen content.
Further details of these funding opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks and months and potential applicants can sign up to be kept up to date with news:
The fund will primarily target support to production companies in the region who are working with creative talent and developing original IP content and is designed to complement wider creative industries growth and sustainability support in the region, including the West Midlands Create Growth Programme (also delivered by Creative UK in collaboration with Create Central and WMCA with funding from the Department for Culture Media and Sport) and the Skills Accelerator programme, with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, and with additional funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “The West Midlands has always been the home of entrepreneurs and inventors. Our region’s young and diverse population includes some of the most creative thinkers and changemakers in film, TV, gaming and other creative content sectors. It’s vital that we continue to support our innovators with financial and practical skills as they develop new ideas, products and services.
“The fund that we’re launching as part of our partnership with Create Central and Creative UK will unlock that potential and grow these ideas into internationally recognisable works and products. We want to propel our ambitious companies and creatives onto the global stage and make a name for the West Midlands internationally.”
Ed Shedd, Chair of Create Central, said "Industry leaders, through Create Central, have clearly communicated to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) the need for this fund, recognising it as a critical driver for impactful economic growth in the creative content sector. Ideas are the lifeblood of the creative economy and our desire to build a growing and sustainable creative cluster in the West Midlands depends on us generating high quality, high value intellectual property. That's why I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make this happen, building on the success of our previous pilot development funding initiatives in partnership with the BBC and Channel 4.”
Paul Ashton, Head of Film & TV, Creative UK, said “At a time when the push towards sustainability and growth for creative companies is set against the backdrop of a content commissioning slow-down, support for the development of IP is critical. A truly creative industry is one where original ideas are both the lifeblood and the currency of success. Creative UK is delighted to be collaborating with Create Central and West Midlands Combined Authority to help facilitate the success of homegrown creative ideas from companies in the region.”
“We welcome the introduction of the new IP fund from Create Central, which will no doubt provide a real boost for producers in the region. Previous collaborations with Create Central have successfully led to increased engagement with the region’s indie sector, and we look forward to working closely with Create Central and Creative UK to seek opportunities to collaborate further.” - Emma Hardy, Director of Commissioning Operations, Channel 4
"We are excited be a major stakeholder in the new IP fund from Create Central. Having a fund like this is a great start and a boost for content makers in the West Midlands. This initiative represents our commitment to fostering creative talent and driving the next wave of media excellence in the region. We already have big BBC brands like MasterChef and Silent Witness arriving in the region later this year. Together, we will shape the future of home-grown storytelling in the Midlands and beyond and we look forward to working with Create Central and other creative partners in the region to support the growth of the production and creative sector.” - Thomas Wrathmell, Director, BBC Across the UK Programme
NOTES TO EDITORS
The establishment of the WMIPCF follows the successful delivery of pilot schemes previously run by Create Central and WMCA with the BBC and with Channel 4, with support from the BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery. These initiatives demonstrated the value and importance of supporting local creative businesses in this way resulting in real commissions:
In general, participation will require applicants to have a company registered at Companies House and that company must either be registered in the WMCA area, or its founders must be permanently resident in the WMCA area. The WMCA area includes the local authorities of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. Further details with regard to qualification will be provided when the individual initiatives are launched.
About Creative UK: Creative UK is the national network for the Creative Industries. We are an independent membership organisation that champions the value of the Creative Industries. We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Creative UK connects talent, business and organisations across the Creative Industries; from arts and culture, film and TV and video games to design, publishing and architecture and everything in between.
We invest by identifying untapped potential to accelerate growth, providing tailor made resources and financial expertise. We do all of this because we believe in the power of creativity to change lives. Wearecreative.uk
About Create Central: Create Central is a private sector trade body that brings together some of the region’s most successful TV, film, games and wider creative content business leaders.
Through Create Central they work with national and regional partners to create an agile and responsive network to turbo-charge the creative content sector in the heart of the UK.
Create Central's mission is to deliver the remarkable and the tangible.
Create Central is a trade body run BY industry FOR industry – working closely with national agencies like the BFI and Creative UK among others, and public sector organisations like the West Midlands Combined Authority, local universities and the many agencies working in the innovation and tech space.