North East voice joins creative council

The leader of a North East-based music development agency is taking on a national role after being named to a Government-led council for the creative industries.

Mick Ross, chief executive of Generator, has been appointed to the Creative Industries Council (CIC), an influential forum that brings together senior industry figures and Government to guide policy and growth across the sector. 

The council sits within the Department for Media, Culture and Sport and plays a central role in advising ministers on priorities including innovation, skills, finance and trade.

Generator, headquartered in Newcastle, works to support and develop the regional music industry, helping artists, freelancers and businesses to grow sustainably. 

Mick is one of a small number of representatives drawn from across film, television, music and design, joining figures including Alison Lomax of YouTube UK & Ireland, Laura Weir of the British Fashion Council, Ben Roberts of the British Film Institute and Sinead Rocks of Channel 4.

Mick said: “Naturally, it’s a great honour to be invited to join the Council. 

“I sit alongside stellar names from a wide range of creative sectors, all of whom contribute wonderfully to the UK economy.

“I’ve spoken in depth for some time about the need for the North East, particularly for its flourishing music industry, to be heard in central corridors of power. 

“For too long, we’ve been trying to shout from the outside in. 

“Having a seat at the table means we can more confidently represent the outstanding work going on right across the North East, and right the way across the North, which is now attracting not just national, but global attention.”   

The council has been reshaped as part of the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, published within the wider Industrial Strategy, which sets out ambitions to increase business investment in creative organisations from £17 billion to £31 billion by 2035, while supporting job creation and export growth across the UK.

A renewed focus of the council is on ensuring the creative industries reflect how the sector now operates, with greater emphasis on regional representation and collaboration beyond London. 

The CIC is co-chaired by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. 

She added: “The Creative Industries Council is vital to ensuring that we are effectively understanding and addressing the needs of the sector. 

“Our ambition is that every corner of this country will flourish, cementing the UK’s position as a creative superpower. 

“We are committed to delivering the Creative Industries Sector Plan, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, and the remodelled CIC will continue to play a critical role in that.”

Lisa’s fellow co-chair is celebrated TV producer Peter Bazalgette, who added: “Our renewed Council, with refreshed representation from across our sub-sectors, regions and nations, will drive forward the clear growth plan set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy. 

“And we’ll have lots of new ideas too… we are the creative sector!”

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