In very exciting news, KitMapper was represented by our very own Director Dave Charlesworth on a brilliant panel at the New Statesman Igniting Growth conference this week, exploring Cultural exports: How can our creative industries drive growth at home and influence abroad?
The discussion got right into the practical questions facing the sector: how policymakers and industry can work together to grow exports; what infrastructure, market access and skills SMEs actually need; and how new technologies can lower barriers to entry whilst helping creative businesses scale internationally.
Dave's contribution centred on the on-the-ground reality for small and mid-sized creative producers, the teams building work for audiences, brands and institutions, and the importance of backing R&D, skills and delivery infrastructure so the UK can continue to punch above its weight in global cultural competition. He was most animated when pointing out that creating the conditions that foster growth are vital – giving creatives space, time and the means to be distributed to the wider world through opportunity, networks and introductions is key. He specifically spoke about Somerset House as a high quality example of how to achieve this.
Thanks to the other panellists and chair: Natasha Irons MP, Professor Giorgio Fazio (Creative PEC), and Phin Foster (New Statesman & Spotlight).
If you're interested in how cultural production, creative technology and export-ready support structures can unlock growth, we'd love to continue the conversation.