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Educational Keynotes
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11.00 – 11:20
Main Stage Welcomes
Welcome from host Steph McGovern, followed by introductions from Catherine Mallyon (Incoming Chair, Creative UK) and Zoe Jeyes (Executive Director, King's Place).
Steph McGovern
Catherine Mallyon
Zoe Jeyes
11.20 - 11.30
Ministerial Welcome and Keynote
Minister For Trade, Sir Chris Bryant from the Department for Business and Trade delivers the morning's keynote, setting the scene for a day of eye-opening panels, talks and spotlights from businesses and leaders representing the UK's creative industries.
Sir Chris Bryant
11:40 - 12.25
Investing in our Regions: The Public Funding Driving Private Capital
From business support programmes to grants, loans and equity funding - how are regions and industry investing in creativity as a means to boosting growth? This session explores the impact of new statutory funds, and how public investment can create opportunities for private investors. With host, Caroline Norbury OBE (CEO, Creative UK), Tracy Brabin (Mayor of West Yorkshire Combined Authority), Fran McIntyre (Managing Director, Innovate UK Business Connect) and Christopher Smith (Executive Chair, AHRC, UKRI International Champion, and Creative Industries Sector Champion)
Caroline Norbury OBE
Mayor Tracy Brabin
Fran McIntyre
Christopher Smith
12.25 - 12.45
Business Spotlight: North East
Session spotlighting the investment journey of Gig Lab, a North East creative business connecting independent UK venues and promoters. Gig Lab Co-Owner, Victoria Smith is joined by Adam Clements (Founder, Chute) and Phil Witcherley (Director of Economic Growth and Innovation, North East Combined Authority).
Victoria Smith
Phil Witcherley
Adam Clements
12.45 - 14.00
Lunch
A buffet lunch is served in our expo space in the Gallery and is available between 12.00-14.00.
14.00 - 14.05
Welcome Back
Steph McGovern ushers in the remainder of the day's activity with a welcome back address after lunch.
Steph McGovern
14.05 - 14.20
Keynote
Keynote speech with Stephen Welton, Non-Exec Chair of British Business Bank.
Stephen Welton
14.20 - 14.30
Business Spotlight: Cornwall
Jordan Dargue, Co-Founder of Lifted Ventures (who exist to increase the flow of early stage capital to female founders) in conversation with angel investor, Anica Alvarez Nishio who recently invested in Cornwall-based creative business, XigXag via the Lifted syndicate.
Jordan Dargue
Anica Alvarez Nishio
14.30 - 15.15
Imagination drives innovation: The benefits of backing creativity
In this conversation, our panellists explore how content, ideas and IP (Intellectual Property) are at the very heart of the Creative Industries Sector Plan - and why now more than ever, investing in talent is the key to our collective growth. Hosted by Steph McGovern, with speakers: Shriti Vadera (Co-Chair, Creative Industries Council), Stephen Welton (Non-Exec Chair, British Business Bank), Siena Pakington (Head of Content Acquisition, Prime Video, Amazon), (Ida Levine (Board Director, Impact Investing Institute) and Jenny Tooth (Executive Chair, UK Business Angels Association).
Steph McGovern
Shriti Vadera
Ida Levine
Siena Pakington
Stephen Welton
Jenny Tooth
15.15 - 15.25
Business Spotlight: West Yorkshire
Hear about the investment wins and challenges of West Yorkshire-based production company, Sticks & Glass, who specialise in post and live production with a focus on factual, documentary filmmaking and live sports. Expect fascinating insights into their investment wins, challenges and journey to where they are now. With company Director, Adam Bennett.
Adam Bennett
15.25 - 16.10
Risk and Reward: Lessons, Opportunities and Success Stories from Investors Who've Backed Creativity
Chaired by Karim Palant from UK Private Capital (formerly BVCA), this panel takes a closer look at investment success stories from creative subsectors as diverse as design, fashion, screen and tech. Hear what it is that makes creative businesses successful and investable - and the multitude of opportunities that exist for investors in the sector. With Chair, Karim Palant (Director of External Affairs, UK Private Capital) joined by speakers including Hanim Dogan-Jain (Investor & Exited Founder, Prime Capital), David Glick (CEO, Edge VC) and Rahul Misra (Investment Principal, Creative UK).
Karim Palant
Hanim Dogan-Jain
David Glick
Rahul Misra
16.10 - 16.20
Business Spotlight: East Anglia
Hear from Chantal Epp, the Founder and CEO of East Anglia business, ClicknClear, a pioneering music rights technology company. Under Chantal's leadership, ClicknClear has secured global deals with all major record labels and publishers, unlocking a previously untapped revenue stream for music industry.
Chantal Epp
16.20 - 16.55
Creativity on the World Stage: Why the UK is a Hub for International Investment
The UK is the world’s second-largest destination for Foreign Direct Investment into the creative sector, after the USA. Hear why international investment is strong in the creative sector - and how our talent and creative excellence are key to growing this further. Hosted by Rehana Mughal (Director Creative Economy, British Council) with Marverine Cole (Hon DUniv Award-winning Journalist & Broadcaster), Gary Stewart (CEO and Founder, MyCofoundr), Damien O'Donohoe (Managing Director, MinaLima) and James Farmery (External Affairs Director, Production Park Ltd).
Rehana Mughal
Marverine Cole
Gary Stewart
Damien O'Donohoe
James Farmery
16.55 - 17.05
Business Spotlight: South East
John Mathers, Chair of British Design Fund in conversation with Alexander Spence, Founder of South East business, Coolit.
John Mathers
17.05 - 17.15
DCMS Keynote
17.15 - 17.25
Wrap-up
Summit Host, Steph McGovern shares her insights into the day that has been, queuing up an Amazon-sponsored drinks reception.
Steph McGovern
17.25 - 19.00
Drinks and Networking
Sponsored by Amazon
Close out the day with networking at the Summit Drinks Reception sponsored by Amazon. With welcome from Amy Price Farr (Amazon) in Hall One, followed by drinks in the Gallery and Foyer.
Amy Price Farr
9.30 - 19.00
Creative Expo
Meet representatives from some of the most innovative and exciting businesses in the UK's creative industries, in this expo featuring 50+ participants from the regional Create Growth Programmes.
12.00 - 2.00
Lunch
A buffet lunch is served in our expo space in the Gallery and is available between 12.00-14.00.
17.30 - 19.00
Drinks and networking
Sponsored by Amazon
Close out the day with networking at the Summit Drinks Reception sponsored by Amazon. With welcome from Amy Price Farr (Amazon) in Hall One, followed by drinks in the Gallery and Foyer.
Amy Price Farr
10.00 - 10.15
Investor Lounge open
Investor Lounge access only
The Investor Lounge opens for a day of activity with host, Marverine Cole (Hon DUniv Award-winning Journalist & Broadcaster) joined by Roderick Beer (Managing Director, UK Business Angels Association).
Marverine Cole
Roderick Beer
10.15 - 10.45
Live Pitching Session 1
Investor Lounge access only
10.55 - 11.20
Live Pitching Session 2
Investor Lounge access only
11.40 - 12.20
Live Pitching session 3
Investor Lounge access only
12.20 - 13.20
Lunch
Investor Lounge access only
A buffet lunch is served in our expo space in the Gallery and is available between 12.00-14.00.
13.20 - 14.00
Live Pitching session 4
Investor Lounge access only
10.00 - 11.00
Crowdfunder Workshop
Lambeth Programme. Closed session.
11.15 - 12.30
Innovate Business Connect
Closed session
12.00 - 14.00
Lunch
A buffet lunch is served in our expo space in the Gallery and is available between 12.00-14.00.
13.00 - 14.00
Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre Roundtable
Invite-only. The Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) will lead an invite-only discussion on the findings of new research - set to be published ahead of The Big Creative UK Summit - that maps, for the first time, the UK’s population of high-growth potential firms in the Creative Industries. The research compares their contribution, in both scale and economic performance, with two other priority sectors in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy: Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing. Hasan Bakhshi, Director of the Creative PEC, and Callum Newton, Public Sector Lead at Beauhurst, will lead a conversation exploring the findings and their implications for the growth of the UK’s Creative Industries. The Creative PEC is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, led by Newcastle University with the RSA.
15.00 - 16.00
Creative UK x Climb2026 Speed Networking
Closed session
All day
International Delegation (invite only)
Creative UK, the British Council and Department for Business and Trade are hosting an International Delegation for a select group of international entrepreneurs and senior stakeholders. The international programme is invite only and designed to foster meaningful relationships, enable market insight, and support long-term international collaboration. Participation in the international delegation will increase understanding of the UK’s creative industries, market opportunities, and sector frameworks; and enable the formation of new international partnerships, co-productions, joint ventures, and investment opportunities. With thanks to Civic Studios.
Karen Christensen
Karen Christensen
Director of Product Marketing, Bandhub
Andy Vitale is the Director of Product Marketing at Brandhub, where he leads a team focused on transforming the mortgage lending experience for millions of people who want to buy or refinance a home, as well as professional partners across the lending and real estate spectrum.