Investment For Growth Summit

Investment in West Yorkshire

Announcing the Big Creative UK Summit: Investment in West Yorkshire! Join us for a celebration of the Create Growth Programme and a showcase of West Yorkshire's Creative Industries. The day will consist of bold conversations with industry-leading speakers, dynamic pitching, an exhibition of the creative companies supported by Creative UK, and insightful networking. Register for your free ticket today.

09:30am - Exhibition Opens, Registration & Refreshments

Join us for breakfast in our exhibition space, where you can see first-hand the creative businesses the region has to offer.

10:00am - Introduction from the day's host, Sharon Jandu OBE

10:15am - Welcome from Pardeep Duggal, Creative UK & Global Marketing Director for BUPA

10:30am - Keynote from Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire

10:45am - Panel: Investment in the West Yorkshire Creative Sector

West Yorkshire’s Creative Businesses are worth £2bn to the local economy. The region is experiencing the fastest creative sector growth outside of London. Chaired by Creative UK, this panel will explore how regional public investment can strengthen the leveraging of private funding within the region. The panel will discuss the power of the creative sector to drive regional socio-economic growth across the UK and globally, capitalising on regional strengths and reputation as a leading light within the creative economy.

SPEAKERS:
- Moderator: Carol Bell OBE, Regional Associate Director for the North - Creative UK
- Jim Farmery, Director of External Affairs - Production Park
- Helen Oldham, Co-Founder - Lifted Ventures
- Andrew Sharp, Inclusive Economy Ecosystem Lead - West Yorkshire Combined Authority

11:30am - Coffee break

11:45am - Pitch panel

12:15pm - Lunch hosted by My Lahore

Join us for lunch in our expo space.

13:15pm - Panel: Economic legacy of City of Culture

Since being crowned City of Culture 2025, Bradford has been awarded £15 million in UK Government support and is expected to bring a visitor spend of nearly £140 million into the local economy over the course of 2025. It is estimated that increased cultural and economic activity could leverage an additional £700 million of growth for the Bradford district by 2030. Chaired by Bradford Council this panel will discuss the impact of this investment, and the long term economic and social gains associated with being crowned City of Culture.

SPEAKERS
- Moderator: David Shepherd, Strategic Director of Place - Bradford Council
- Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director - Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture
- Mark Scott, Research Fellow - University of Warwick - Warwick Business School
- Harman Sagger, Head Economist for Arts, Heritage and Tourism for Department for Culture, Media and Sport

14:00pm - Closing remarks

14:05pm - Hosted pitches

15:00pm - Event end

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question?

What should I do when I arrive?

A registration desk will be positioned in the hotel foyer where you can check-in upon arrival. From here you can enjoy networking and explore our Exhibition stands ahead of our Welcome Address at 10am.

Will there be cloakroom facilities available?

Yes, there is a staffed cloakroom available near the hotel foyer.

Will there be food and drink available on the day?

Of course! It wouldn't be a warm Bradford welcome without fantastic food. On arrival please join us in the Expo space for light refreshments from 9.30am-10.00am.Lunch is hosted by the spectacular My Lahore. Born in Bradford, MyLahore is rooted in small kitchens yet huge hearts. Where families tuck into everything from samosas to shepherd’s pie, and karahis to cornflake tarts. It’s a very British Asian story that just has to be shared!Hot drinks will be available across the venue throughout the day.

Can you share more about the Venue?

The Great Victoria Hotel is located directly opposite Bradford Interchange. The Main Entrance is located at the rear of the building, opposite the Bradford Law Courts. The full address is Great Victoria Hotel, Bridge St, Bradford BD1 1JX. You can find it here on Google Maps or using what3words ///patch.stars.code.

The venue is accessible via a ramp at the Main Entrance, or via 4 steps up with a handrail. The Velasco Suite, the location of our Panel Discussions, is accessible via a set of stairs near the foyer. All other spaces are on the ground floor, along the corridor from the hotel foyer.

Is there Parking onsite?

Yes! There is Bradford Council operated parking at the Bradford Law Courts - Vicar Ln, BD1 1JA. You can pay using cash or via the RingGo parking app (Location ID 30503)

Where can I learn more about the West Yorkshire Create Growth Programme?

Head to our website here.

Make sure to keep up to date with Creative UK West Yorkshire on:
Linkedin - @Creative UK West Yorkshire
BlueSky - @CreativeUKWY
Instagram - @CreativeUKWestYorkshire

What is your approach to accessibility?

We celebrate difference – respecting the humanity and creativity in everyone. We are committed to improving diversity and inclusion across our organisation and industry by championing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, identities, talents and physical and cognitive differences.

The Big Creative UK Summit: Investment for Growth aims to provide an accessible experience for our speakers, performers, and guests. We try to make sure that there aren’t any barriers that make it difficult or impossible for anyone to engage.

We recognise there are many and varied requirements and if there is something we have missed, please bring this to our attention by emailing events@wearecreative.uk