Funding and investment for the creative industries

The creative industries are a significant driver of growth but can struggle to raise finance to support this growth. Design-led businesses often derive most of their value from intangible assets, such as knowledge, relationships and proven processes. It can be difficult to communicate the value of these assets to funders, when compared to more physical assets in other sectors. We are also working in a more uncertain economic and political environment than was perhaps the case in the past, which can affect prospects for funding.

Delivered in partnership with Blu Sky and Creative UK, this session will explore these themes and how design-led businesses can best approach the funding available to them.

About our speakers

Josh Sanghera

Head of Growth, Blu Sky

Josh is Head of Growth at Blu Sky, a North East-based cloud accountancy firm supporting ambitious businesses across the North East. Having joined the team in 2021, he progressed from Client Relationship Director into a role leading growth, marketing, partnerships and strategic opportunities. Josh continues to work closely with founders who are scaling, raising investment or preparing for exit, drawing on his background in forecasting, tax and financial strategy. He also provides fractional FD and CFO support, helping clients strengthen processes, develop teams and build robust financial structures. His approach combines commercial insight, trusted relationships and a practical commitment to sustainable growth.

Carol Bell OBE

Associate Regional Director, Creative UK

Carol is a creative industries leader with extensive experience in strategic development, investment, partnership building and place-based cultural regeneration. She works across regional and national contexts to strengthen creative sector businesses, support sustainable growth, and build effective collaborations between public bodies, funders, investors and industry partners.

As Associate Regional Director, North, Carol Provides strategic guidance, leadership and partnership development for Creative UK, with a primary focus on the North of England and relevant national opportunities. The role strengthens Creative UK’s profile, influence and impact, helping create the conditions for creative sector businesses to grow and thrive. Carole was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to the creative sector across the North.

James Holloway

External Engagement Officer, North East Fund

James is the External Engagement Officer responsible for Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland and jointly Newcastle. James is responsible for liaising with local authorities about activity in their areas, engaging with local business communities and representing the North East Fund at events and conferences.

James comes from a background of business support and financial services, being a part-qualified accountant who has previously worked in the investment team at Rivers Capital on the JEREMIE programme, and as a business growth adviser with Business Northumberland.

About the venue

You can find further details about this venue here.