The Greater Manchester Creative Industries Exchange brought together freelancers, organisations, educators, and industry leaders for a full day celebration of the region’s creative strengths.   

The event was a collaboration between GM Business Growth Hub Create Growth Programme and Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Creative Industries. Following on from their series of Creative Mixers and informed by the feedback from creatives who attended.  

Hosted by radio and TV presenter Nihal Arthanayake, attendees heard from leading voices including actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, illustrator Stanley Chow and Director and Creative Manchester, John McAuliffe.

Set across two stages, the day hosted a series of panels where experts explored the real challenges and opportunities across all sub-sectors of the industry. The panels included deep-dive panels into Skills For the Future, Freelancing in the Creative Industries, and AI’s Impact on the sector. 

“When we talk about creativity in Greater Manchester, it’s quite obvious on the surface what that means. We’re home to amazing artists, musicians, academics and change makers. Our cultural creative heritage is world leading.  

“But what this event was about is looking beneath that and understanding the infrastructure that exists here to fuel that success. It’s built on decades of hard work and support from across the city-region. Only by understanding this, we can accelerate growth even further.” said Sarah Novotny, Head of Digital, Creative and Technology at GM Business Growth Hub.  

A curated creative showcase featured exhibitors like Crafthernoon, Immersed Films, Neptunes Submerge, The Art of Coffee, Manchester Jewellery Week, Musicians’ Union and Neon Creations, alongside networking, lightning talks, group sessions and performances shaped by the needs of 600+ local creatives. 

“The Creative Places Growth Fund is about empowering local decision-making, tailoring support to the specific needs of our ecosystem and industries. Through devolution, we're building the kind of help that businesses, organisations and individuals actually need, without becoming a barrier to their progress." Said  Marie-Claire Daly, Head of Culture & Creative Industries, Greater Manchester Combined Authority.