7 Highlights from the Big Creative UK Investment Summit 2026
// creative industries // investment // The Big Creative UK Summit
2026 was a great year for the Big Creative UK Investment Summit. After the success of last year’s summit, we felt confident that we would host an event to be proud of, but we didn’t know just how impactful, important and inspiring the day would be.
The aim of the day was to showcase the extraordinary investment potential of the UK’s creative industries. We did this by bringing investors and creative businesses together at Kings Place for a day packed with sector-led panels and discussions from some of the leading names from the sector.
We also extended our remit globally, hosting an International Networking & Industry Insights Day for our International Delegation, with representatives from the UK, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria. Supported by the British Council and sponsored by Department for Business and Trade, the International Delegation was a vital part of the Summit, highlighting the importance of international collaboration.
There are so many special moments to celebrate from the Summit and below are just seven of our highlights.
Highlighting the power in our regions
We heard from creative leaders including Mayor Tracy Brabin on the value of supporting the creative organisations across our regions in the day’s first panel, ‘Investing in our Regions: The Public Funding Driving Private Capital’.
Host with the most – TV’s Steph McGovern
Our host for the day was Award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster, Steph McGovern. Steph handled the day with deft expertise, making all our speakers feel comfortable and leading seamless and engaging transitions between sessions.
Announcement of £45 million commitment to creative industries
British Business Bank’s Stephen Welton shared details of a £45 million commitment to the creative industries via a new fund.
Stephen’s engaging keynote speech did a fantastic job of tying together both the opportunities and the challenges of more closely uniting investors with creative businesses and was met with warmth and enthusiasm.
20+ creative businesses pitched to investors
In our dedicated investor lounge, more than 20 businesses from the Create Growth Programmes across the country pitched to a live in-person audience of investors. The businesses ranged from online publishing through to production studios (Kaleider, pictured) and even the maker of the world’s first vertical grand piano (First Light Pianos).
Global creative leaders collaborated during International Networking Day
Creative leaders from the UK, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria came together for the International Networking & Industry Insights Day, held one day prior to the main Investment Summit. Through discussion and roundtables, the day translated international dialogue into practical pathways, reinforcing the role of creative industries as both an economic driver and a powerful vehicle for international cultural connection.
Sir Chris Bryant and Baroness Shriti Vadera Fireside
A uniquely insightful fireside chat between Minister For Trade at Department for Business and Trade, Sir Chris Bryant, and Co-Chair of Creative Industries Council, Baroness Shriti Vadera, drew a big audience. During this conversation, both leaders brought to bear their experience and ideas for the future of the sector.
Expo, expo, expo
All of the work, panels, keynotes and pitches taking place at the Big Creative UK Summit are essentially about one thing – creative businesses! So, of course, the expo of 50+ creative sector businesses from the Create Growth Programme was both essential to the day and hugely exciting. Throughout the duration of the event, visitors were able to visit stands run by creative business leaders who showed off their products and innovations at compelling, interactive stalls.
Summit Partners
The Summit is proudly brought to you by Creative UK and Headline Partner, UK Research and Innovation, through Innovate UK and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
The Summit is held in partnership with Summit Major Partners: Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Amazon, Create South East, North East Combined Authority, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, Create Growth N2 and West of England Combined Authority, with more to be announced.
Our International Delegation is supported by International Delegation Major Partner, British Council and sponsored by International Delegation Partner, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
The Summit is also brought to you by Summit Partners, Creative Growth Hull & East Yorkshire, the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and GM Business Growth Hub.
