Unleashing Creative Potential: Chester's Response to the National Agenda

As Head of the School for the Creative Industries at the University of Chester, I am proud to lead a team that is not only responding to the UK Government's evolving industrial strategy – but actively shaping the future of creative education and workforce development.

The recent State of the Nation: Arts, Culture and Heritage report and Creative UK's Unleashing Creativity document reaffirm what we see every day: the creative industries are a powerhouse of innovation, economic growth, and cultural identity. With over 2.4 million people employed across sectors from design and digital media to performance and publishing, the UK's creative economy contributes more than £124 billion in GVA – yet faces persistent challenges around skills gaps and regional equity.

At Chester, we are tackling these challenges head-on. Our courses are designed in consultation with industry partners and local employers, ensuring students graduate with the skills that creative businesses need today – and tomorrow. From immersive technologies to live performance, our curriculum is future-facing and flexible, aligned with the Future Skills Curriculum and the workforce demands for technical, digital, interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills.

In the School for the Creative Industries at Chester, we don't just teach these skills; we embed them in real-world contexts. Our students work on live briefs with local and regional organisations, collaborate with cultural institutions like Storyhouse, and contribute to community-led projects that celebrate the region's heritage and diversity. These experiences build not only technical proficiency but also confidence, resilience, and a deep understanding of audience and impact.

As a school, we are deeply committed to regional development and inclusive access. We work with schools and community groups to widen participation and inspire the next generation of creative professionals. Our graduates are not only job-ready – they are job creators, shaping the creative and cultural landscape of Chester and beyond.

I regularly engage with forums to advocate for the role of education in driving creative growth. Universities like ours are incubators of talent, hubs of innovation, and anchors of place-based development. We believe that investment in creative education is not just good policy, it's essential to the UK’s future prosperity.

The School for the Creative Industries at the University of Chester stands ready to lead. We are cultivating the skills, partnerships, and vision needed to unleash creativity across the region and contribute meaningfully to the national agenda.

Bernadine Murray, Head of School for the Creative Industries, University of Chester