As Europe’s second largest media hub England’s Northwest has a habit of producing outstanding creative talent and thrives on being at the cutting edge of the digital industry arena. The NoE understands the importance of this sector of the region's economy and is committed to supporting and promoting the dynamic and growing industries that have made the Northwest their home.

The development of a world class creative and digital business sector has sees the sector contribute 16% of the regions output. The sector benefits from a huge talent pool with over 31,000 companies employing 320,000 within the sector.
Right across the creative economy England’s Northwest is a hotbed of ingenuity and talent – from computer gaming to ICT/software development, to advertising and marketing services.

Digital and Creative Industries Sector Development Plan

On 22nd February 2008, UK Government published 'Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy', which sets out a strategy for development of creative industries, including a number of initiatives specific to the Northwest.

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Digital

Digitally-driven industries make an important contribution to the regional economy, with 5,000 firms employing over 63,000 people. The sector encompasses Digital Industries, Information and Communication Technologies and New Media.  The largest sectors in terms of employment are software consultancy and supply, multi-media, telecommunications and digital broadcasting.

The sector, which has an annual turnover of AUD13.6 billion, has experienced considerable growth both nationally and regionally. The aim now is to foster an environment that allows it to continue to expand.

The region is home to companies including BT, Cisco, Oracle, Fraser Williams, Sony Psygnosis, Telecity, Marconi, Amaze, Time, Granada Media, Infogrames, Warthog, I-Soft, Surfcontrol, Your Communications, Opal Telecom, Ericsson, Netario, Formfill and Fujitsu.

At the heart of the new NWDA financed Edge Lane project is Liverpool Digital, an initiative that focuses on the ICT, digital and creative industries as a regional centre of excellence. The entire development will take until 2013 to reach its full potential, creating up to 7,000 jobs in the process.

Liverpool Digital will accommodate the proposed National Microsystems Packaging Centre, a unique facility in the UK housing high technology research and development companies.

Creative

England’s Northwest has a long history of producing outstanding creative talent. It is a region that has an incredible amount to offer the film and TV industry. The many film, TV and post-production companies that call the Northwest their home are supported by technical personnel of the highest calibre, backed up by training facilities such as the International Centre for Digital Content (ICDC) in Liverpool.

The BBC is due to move significant production and commissioning out of London to Salford Quays, making Greater Manchester the largest broadcasting centre outside the capital. Called MediaCityUK, a hub of creative and digital talent will co-exist alongside five BBC departments. Read more about MediaCity UK here.

Northwest Vision + Media works to assist production companies looking to film in England's Northwest and help with suitable filming locations. It also runs the NoE-funded Regional Attraction Fund, a substantial investment tool for high growth television companies based in the Northwest and independent television companies seeking to move production to the region.

Mediacity:UK

MediacityUK is one of the most significant media initiatives in the UK.  A Peel Media development, it aims to create a ‘media city’ for the world’s leading creative and digital businesses.

Predicted to deliver AUD2.1 billion in additional net value to the British economy, MediacityUK will not only generate significant economic, social and creative benefits for Greater Manchester, it will also provide a significant economic driver for England’s Northwest.

From 2011, MediacityUK will be home to five BBC departments, including BBC Children's, BBC Formal Learning, parts of BBC Future Media & Technology, BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Sport as well as 1,500 current London-based posts and the 800 staff at BBC in Manchester.

Along with that, MediacityUK’s enviable environment will be home to the biggest companies in broadcasting, new media and technology and will provide a robust infrastructure for major broadcasters to operate around the clock, with the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the industry in the coming years.

In addition, the Media Enterprise Centre for supporting media businesses will provide a focused business support environment and, combined with other innovation and skills initiatives, will make MediacityUK one of the most sought after places in Britain to train in the industry, as well as develop and grow new ideas. 

By moving to MediaCityUK, businesses will be able to take advantage of the many benefits it offers including access to an established community of staff, government funding initiatives, the opportunity to use the facilities within the premises, as well as the opportunity to co-locate within a new environment of global significance.
The development of this world-class facility is currently under way, ensuring creative industries in England’s Northwest have a world-class stage at the centre of the world’s media industry.