From strength to strength: How the UK’s creative industries are preparing for their next big act

From Oscar-winning films to next-generation gaming, the UK’s creative industries are an internationally celebrated powerhouse. Now, with the government’s upcoming 10-year Industrial Strategy, there is a renewed focus on building on its remarkable legacy.

London’s renowned theatres and Manchester’s music venues. Scotland’s art festivals; Wales’ gaming centres; Northern Ireland’s film studios. These are the UK institutions that have built a creative scene that is as rooted in history as it is driven by future possibility.

Today, the UK’s creative industries span everything from film and television to architecture, music, publishing, and video games, contributing £125 billion to the UK economy in 2022—5.7% of total gross value added. The country is also the third-largest exporter of creative services worldwide, reinforcing its reputation for artistic and technical excellence within a rich cultural scene.

Who could have predicted in 1950, when Alan Turing created the world’s first chess-playing algorithm, that UK gaming would become the multibillion-pound industry it is today? This pattern of growth is reflected across the sector, with the UK gaming market growing by 4.4% year-on-year in 2023 to £7.82 billion. Meanwhile, film and high-end TV production spend topped £4.23 billion in 2023, and the UK music industry remains the third-largest domestic market globally, with £775 million in exports in 2023.

These figures demonstrate the UK’s ability to attract and sustain word-class creative talent. Now, the government is set to strengthen this position, with the upcoming 10-year Industrial Strategy ensuring the UK remains the premier destination for homegrown and international creative businesses.

Illustrating why international creative businesses are choosing the UK to grow is Rocket Science Group, a US-headquartered company powering top studios to make next-generation games for console and PC.

With a history of producing some of the world’s most celebrated titles, including Tomb Raider and Grand Theft Auto, the UK was a natural choice for the company’s planned European expansion. And after exploring potential locations, Rocket Science landed on Cardiff, the capital of Wales.

Since arriving in Wales, Rocket Science has made a name for itself at the centre of the UK gaming scene, with its headcount growing to 40 employees in Wales alone. It has launched new studios, secured client wins, and strengthened its reputation across Europe. Looking ahead, Rocket Science wants to scale even further, with plans to open more offices—illustrating the wealth of opportunities the UK provides for international creative businesses looking to grow.

“We wanted to create 50 jobs in Wales in five years, and we’re on track to do that in just two,” Daniel says. “Honestly, we could not have done this without the UK, and our hope is that other companies will look at us and say, ‘They did it, so we can do it too.’”

Rocket Science credits much of its—and its contemporaries’—success in the UK to a strong network of support for creative industries, including Economy Future Funding to aid job creation, devolved creative growth funding, and Creative Wales—a Welsh Government initiative designed to build talent, investment, and growth within the sector.

“We met with Creative Wales, discussed our idea, and they pitched how they could help,” Thomas explains. “They introduced us to local lawyers, real estate, and Cardiff council, saving us so much time.”

This kind of hands-on support has helped Rocket Science integrate quickly, discover talent, and build the right connections. Across Wales, initiatives like Creative Wales have contributed to 35,000 jobs and a £1.5 billion annual boost to the creative economy.

It’s this kind of targeted support that the UK government intends to build upon through its 10-year Industrial Strategy. Aimed at providing long-term certainty for high-growth sectors, including the creative industries, the strategy will create the environment for businesses to thrive and grow in the UK.

The UK government kickstarted its growth package with a £60 million commitment at the Creative Industries Growth Summit. This includes £40 million for start-up video game studios, grassroots music venues, and British film exports. The British Business Bank is also increasing access to finance for creative businesses, while the Soft Power Council will help strengthen the UK’s reputation as a bastion of culture and creativity.

The UK has long been a canvas for creativity. With upcoming new policies and a 10-year Industrial Strategy paving the way for even greater investment, there’s never been a better time for home and abroad businesses to be a part of this great British success story.

Find out more about the opportunities the UK offers here.