Creative Trade Forum Launches to Turn UK Creativity into Global Growth

The Creative Trade Forum has launched to bring government and industry together to help more UK creative businesses convert world-class ideas, talent and IP into exports, investment and commercial growth. Co-chaired by Francesca Hegyi (CEO, Edinburgh International Festival) and WPP’s Michael Frohlich, the Forum will convene leaders across advertising, design, architecture, film, television, gaming, music and AI to help one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors win more business globally. Minister for Reindustrialisation Blair McDougall joined their inaugural meeting at the Edinburgh International Festival.

The Creative Trade Forum exists to champion UK creative exports, identify barriers to growth and build stronger international commercial partnerships. Creative industries contribute more than £145 billion to the UK economy and are among Britain's fastest-growing sectors.

L-R: Michael Frohlich, Blair McDougall, Francesca Hegyi. Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

The Forum’s new logo and visual identity were created by Landor, part of WPP, to give the Creative Trade Forum a bold, distinctive and highly legible identity across digital and physical channels. Designed as a confident platform where creativity, culture and commerce intersect, the identity reflects the Forum’s ambition to present the UK’s creative industries as a united, dynamic force on the international stage.

Michael Frohlich, co-chair of CTF and chief marketing officer, WPP said, "Britain does not have a creativity challenge. It has a scale challenge. We already produce world-class ideas, talent and intellectual property. The opportunity now is to help more UK creative businesses turn that advantage into export growth, investment and commercial success in every major market around the world. The countries that win over the next decade will be those that treat creativity not just as cultural capital, but as economic infrastructure. The Creative Trade Forum is about helping more British creative businesses compete, grow and win on the global stage."

Blair McDougall, Minister for Reindustrialisation said, "The Edinburgh Festivals showcase the best of Britain's world-renowned creative businesses, which is why it's here that we're launching the Creative Trade Forum, bringing together industry experts and leaders to drive investment and opportunity for British firms in new global markets. Through our Modern Industrial Strategy, we're doubling down on one of Britain's fastest-growing sectors and biggest success stories to boost good growth and jobs in every corner of the country, and cement our world-leading creative reputation."

Francesca Hegyi, co-chair of CTF and CEO, Edinburgh International Festival said, "The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy is a clear blueprint for economic growth, and creative industries are a key part of that. I'm really pleased that the groundwork we've laid over the past couple of years is now translating into tangible action through the Creative Trade Forum. This will unlock genuine export and investment opportunities for creative businesses right across the UK."