The UK’s creative industries have long been one of our greatest economic strengths. From music and film to gaming, theatre, design and digital content, we’ve consistently delivered ideas, talent and cultural exports that punch far above our weight. In 2023 alone, the creative sector contributed £94 billion in gross value added, a real-terms increase of 31% since 2010, and supported 2.4 million jobs across the UK.
But the landscape is changing fast.
The rise of global tech platforms, shifts in ownership of UK creative output, the disruptive force of AI, and the underinvestment in IP-rich businesses all pose serious threats. And unless we match our creative excellence with smarter policy, stronger investment, and better alignment between education, industry and government, we risk falling behind.
There’s also a growing call to view creativity not just as an export but as an engine. That means backing the UK’s creative industries with the same seriousness and coordination as any high-growth sector. It means fostering regional creative clusters, supporting homegrown IP, and embedding ethics into the use of new technologies like AI.
One founder putting this playbook into practice is Christopher Kenna, CEO and Founder of Media Stream AI, and Great British Entrepreneur Awards community member.
Commenting recently, Kenna said: “Creative Powerhouse is our weight category — and we need to maintain it.”
His company is leading the way.
In the past year alone, Media Stream AI has:
Relocated its head office to Manchester, backing the growth of regional creative economies and anchoring its operations outside of London.
Launched its own TV channels and built new studios in both Manchester and Kingston, Jamaica — establishing a global media infrastructure rooted in UK creative leadership.
Developed its own proprietary large language models and generative AI tools, trained exclusively on owned or ethically licensed content, ensuring creators are compensated and creative integrity is protected.
These aren’t small steps. They are strategic moves designed to future-proof the business, empower creators, and retain value and IP within the UK. It’s exactly the kind of joined-up approach being called for across the sector.
Next on the horizon? A potential UK IPO, which would be Manchester’s first in eight years, and the first by a Black British founder in 25.
At the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, we’ve always championed founders who shape the future. Christopher Kenna’s journey is proof of what’s possible when innovation, inclusion and ambition come together and a reminder that Britain’s creative edge isn’t just alive, it’s evolving. The creative industries aren’t a luxury, they’re a competitive advantage. And leaders like Kenna are making sure we don’t just keep pace, but set it.