Skills for success in the creative and cultural industries (Panel)

Success in the creative and cultural industries rarely arrives as a neat job title and a tidy plan. It is often built through transferable skills that travel with you across roles, organisations, and life stages: communication, collaboration, resilience, relationship-building, commercial awareness, and the ability to learn fast.

This panel brings together professionals working across audio and storytelling, global content distribution, cultural venue operations, documentary festival marketing, and creative entrepreneurship. Through honest career stories, the panellists will explore what “success” can look like in different contexts, how career changes really happen, and what skills they wish they had developed earlier. Expect practical insight, not a highlight reel, plus time for Q&A.

• By the end of the panel, attendees will be able to:
• Identify core transferable skills relevant across the creative and cultural industries.
• Describe different models of success and reflect on what feels meaningful for them now.
• Recognise common patterns behind career pivots and transitions, including what supports them.
• Translate career stories into actionable insight by spotting the skills and behaviours behind key moments.
• Choose three priority skill areas to develop next, with realistic actions to build evidence.

• Chantal Romain (Host)
• Simon Algie (Panellist)
• Laverne Caprice (Panellist)
• Emma Gold (Panellist)
• Gaurav Raturi (Panellist)

Chantal Romain is a MA Storytelling and Podcast for Radio (2025) graduate and an audio producer who develops original documentaries and podcast series. They have produced work for the BBC and contributed to major titles including The Traitors: Uncloaked and Disney’s Rivals: The Official Podcast. Their audio piece Re:Connection was nominated for a BBC Charles Parker Prize and featured at Open City Documentary Festival. As host, Chantal brings a sharp editorial ear and a warm, curious interview style shaped by making work that listens closely and asks better questions.

Simon Algie is a digital sales leader specialising in global content distribution and strategic partnerships. As VP, Global Digital Sales at FIFTH SEASON, he works across licensing, platform strategy, and deal-making to help premium content reach bigger audiences in international markets. Prior to FIFTH SEASON, Simon held roles at HBO and Warner Bros., building deep expertise in content strategy, new business development, and global digital growth. He brings an industry-facing perspective on how creative work travels, how value is positioned, and what commercial skills matter behind the scenes.

Laverne Caprice is the Marketing Manager for Open City Documentary Festival. She leads on promoting the festival’s screenings and events, including the annual festival programme, and has been involved in coordinating marketing and audience-facing communications since at least 2022. Alongside festival marketing delivery, she contributes to wider programming initiatives and team projects that shape how the festival is presented and experienced. Laverne brings an insider perspective on audience development, cultural communications, and what it takes to cut through in a crowded events landscape.

Emma Gold is Volunteer and Staff Coordinator at the Roundhouse, supporting the people, processes, and day-to-day operations that keep a major cultural venue running. Raised between Paris and London in a bilingual family, she moved to London four years ago to complete an MA in Cultural Policy and Management at City University. Emma has built broad experience across the creative and cultural sector, including roles with galleries and venues in Paris and London, as well as projects connected to local government and UNESCO’s culture teams. She brings a practical view of how careers are built through curiosity, persistence, and taking opportunities as they emerge.

Gaurav Raturi is a creative entrepreneur and producer, and the founder of Filmshake. He works at the intersection of storytelling, production, and business building, helping ideas move from concept to execution in a way that is both creatively ambitious and commercially grounded. As a founder, Gaurav brings a pragmatic perspective on how creatives develop opportunities, build relationships, and sustain momentum, especially when you are carving your own lane rather than following a single linear route.

We want Creative Futures Day to be accessible, welcoming, and flexible. If you have specific access needs, adjustments, or questions, you are encouraged to contact Anick in advance so we can plan support with you. You do not need to share personal details, just tell us what would help.Participation is on your terms. You can contribute as much or as little as you like. No one will be put on the spot, required to speak, or asked to share personal information. Listening counts as participating.What to expect on the day:

• A quiet space will be available if you need time away from the session environment
• The building is wheelchair accessible
• Microphones will be used during the panel and where helpful in group discussion
• Rest breaks will be built into sessions, and you are welcome to step out at any time
• Neurodivergent and disabled attendees are welcome. We aim for clear facilitation, simple instructions, and a low-pressure learning environment
• You are welcome to stand, stretch, fidget, take notes, move seats, or use sensory supports such as earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones

If anything about access is unclear, please reach out beforehand and we will work with you to make it doable.This session is part of Creative Futures Day and supports UCL’s Pillars of Employability, especially Deepen your knowledge, Gain experience and networks, and Plan your future: reflect and articulate.

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Host or Publisher UCL School for the Creative & Cultural Industries