Nottingham's Creative Sector is coming together.

For nearly a decade, programmes such as The Big House, LEADD:NG and Create Growth N2 have supported thousands of creative businesses across our region, providing funding, mentoring, and growth support that has helped founders build stronger, more ambitious companies.

Together these initiatives have supported almost 3,000 businesses, delivered tens of thousands of hours of funded support, and in the last 24 months has helped businesses in Nottingham secure over £1.4m in competitive grant funding.

As support for the sector comes to a close at the end of this month and future investment decisions move to the East Midlands Combined Authority, this is an important opportunity for our sector to come together, celebrate its achievements, and demonstrate the energy, ambition and scale of our creative community and start to shape what might come next.

We would love you to join us at our Create Growth N2 Celebration Event:

Metronome, Nottingham

31st March 2026

4:00pm - 7:00pm

• Keynote from Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands
• Policy leaders discussing the regional Big Picture
• Sector leaders discussing the future of the Creative & Digital economy
• Inspiring stories from businesses who have benefitted from the Create Growth N2 Programme
• Exhibitions from beneficiaries
• Networking with fellow founders and industry leaders
• Music from Limelight Orchestra

We very much hope you can join us and please spread the word and share this invite with your network.

Agenda

4:00pm Registration and Networking

4:45pm Welcome (in the auditorium)

4:55pm The Power of Funding & Growth Support

Hear from our innovate UK grant winners and support beneficiaries about the difference the programme has made to their business.

5:10pm Keynote Address Mayor Claire Ward

5:20pm The Big Picture

Panel Policy Discussion to look at the needs and potential of the sector locally and national trends, Panellists

Mayor Claire Ward

Alison Clark, East Midlands Combined Authority, Director of Culture, Visitor Economy and Sport

Stephanie Sirr MBE, Chief Executive, Nottingham Playhouse

Lucy Askew, CEO, Broadway Cinema

5:40pm Interactive session

5:50pm Fireside Chat, The Future of Creative Sector in Nottingham

Discussion with local industry leaders with their thoughts on future CDI growth opportunities

Featuring Michael Fisher, Managing Director, Linney Create

Additional Panelists to be announced.

6:15pm Further Networking, Exhibitions and music from LimeLight Orchestra

7:00pm Event Closes

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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