The Narrating Creative Regions symposium, held on 17th January 2025 at Southampton Solent University, brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and local government to explore pathways for strengthening the creative and cultural economy. Organised by Creative Network South, the event provided an invaluable platform for discussion, collaboration, and action planning to address the region’s challenges and opportunities.

Key Themes and Insights from the Talks

A series of insightful presentations set the stage for the day, highlighting strategic frameworks and innovative approaches to regional creative economy development.

Carys Bradley-Roberts & Laura Sinclair from Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy presented on Cardiff’s evolving creative cluster, showcasing the Quadruple Helix model as a means to drive growth through partnerships between government, business, academia, and society. Their insights into Media Cymru—a pioneering initiative supporting over 106 projects with £2.3M in funding—demonstrated the impact of strategic investment, inclusivity, and sustainability in fostering a thriving creative sector.

Dom Jinks, Head of Creative Industries and Economy at the University of Exeter, explored the role of universities as catalysts for creative ecosystem growth. His presentation reinforced the need for long-term collaboration to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that research and education directly contribute to creative sector expansion.

Carolyn Abel, Head of Culture & Tourism at Southampton City Council, addressed the opportunities presented by devolution and the importance of breaking down silos between different creative sectors. She underscored the necessity of fostering a regional identity to attract investment, talent, and innovation beyond major urban centres.

Workshop: Turning Insights into Action

A facilitated workshop, led by Simon Brooks from the University of Portsmouth, allowed participants to translate these high-level insights into concrete actions. Discussions focused on key challenges, including the retention of creative talent, engagement of large employers, and the need for a unified regional identity. The outcomes of these discussions outlined several priority areas for collaboration:

• Rebranding the Creative and Cultural Sector: Shifting perceptions to highlight the sector’s economic impact and potential for high-value employment.
• Data Mapping and Knowledge Sharing: Establishing a centralised resource for creative sector data to better inform strategy and advocacy.
• Developing Creative Hubs: Creating physical and digital spaces that facilitate networking, professional development, and business growth.
• Bridging Generational Gaps: Ensuring community engagement includes both early-career creatives and established professionals.
• Regional Identity and Cultural Positioning: Exploring branding approaches such as a unified ‘Wessex Creative Economy’ framework.

Next Steps: Sustaining the Momentum

The symposium marked a significant step forward in fostering cross-sector partnerships and defining a coherent strategy for the creative economy. Creative Network South, alongside Charles Freeman, will continue to facilitate these discussions, ensuring that the outputs of the workshop translate into meaningful action.

A full summary of workshop outcomes will be shared with participants, and follow-up working groups will be established to drive forward initiatives in key areas. For those who wish to get involved, please reach out to Creative Network South to contribute to the next phase of this vital regional initiative.

Acknowledgements

A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers, workshop facilitators, and attendees for making the Narrating Creative Regions symposium such a success. Special thanks to Southampton Solent University for hosting the event, and to Charles Freeman and Creative Network South for their continued leadership in shaping the region’s creative future.

The future of the Central South’s creative economy is bright, and with continued collaboration, we can ensure that this momentum leads to lasting impact.