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Senior business leaders from across the region gathered at the latest North East Chamber of Commerce 1815 Lunch to hear from guest speaker Sinead Rocks, managing director of nations and regions at Channel 4.
The event focused on the importance of decentralising broadcasting, investing in regional creative industries and ensuring that talent from across the UK has opportunities to thrive within the sector.
Addressing an audience of 200 senior business leaders, Sinead Rocks outlined Channel 4’s commitment to strengthening the UK’s creative sector by decentralising operations and increasing regional investment.
She said: “Several years ago, Channel 4 realised that it simply couldn’t afford to have all its key decision-makers working out of the same office in London. We needed to broaden our presence to better reflect audiences across the UK.”
As part of this commitment, Channel 4 has expanded its footprint beyond London, establishing regional hubs in Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol and Manchester. Since 2023, the broadcaster has also spent at least 50% of its programming budget outside of London, providing more opportunities for independent production companies across the UK.
Sinead highlighted that the North East has significant potential to grow its screen sector, particularly through partnerships such as the North East Screen Industries Partnership. This collaboration between regional political authorities aims to boost film and television production, creating new opportunities for local talent.
Sinead added: “For too long, people believed a career in media meant moving to London. That’s changing. There’s incredible talent here in the North East, and our job is to ensure everyone has the same opportunities as those living in the south of the country, to succeed in the creative industries.”
Event sponsor Newcastle College reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a strong talent pipeline for businesses in the region. Principal Jon Ridley spoke about the college’s role in developing skills that align with industry needs.
He said: “Newcastle College is a talent engine for the region’s ambitions. With 13,000 students across sectors including engineering, net zero, construction, digital, the creative and cultural industries, we are here to develop the workforce that businesses need to thrive.”
Jon emphasised the importance of collaboration between businesses and educational institutions to ensure that the workforce remains adaptable and prepared for the demands of evolving industries.
Chamber president Deborah Walton reflected on a strong start to the year for the North East Chamber of Commerce, highlighting major developments such as the appointment of Chamber chief executive John McCabe as chair of the North East Combined Authority’s Business and Economy Board.
She said: “This appointment ensures all North East businesses are strongly represented as the combined authority pushes forward with plans to create jobs and attract investment. The Chamber remains committed to ensuring that opportunities around devolution are maximised to build a stronger, fairer North East.”
Deborah also took the opportunity to highlight recent Chamber initiatives, including the publication of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey and the release of the Chamber Pensions Report and the Digital Report.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where Sinead discussed the importance of local representation in broadcasting and the need for sustained investment in the North East’s screen sector. She highlighted Channel 4’s 4Schools initiative, which has engaged over 20,000 young people in the region, and the broadcaster’s commitment to investing £10 million annually in skills and training development across the UK.
While significant progress has been made, Sinead highlighted there is still work to do. She noted: “We must continue to nurture and support the independent production sector in the North East, ensuring these businesses have access to the resources, networks, and funding they need to compete on a national and global scale.”
The 1815 Lunch took place at the Black Horse Beamish on 6 February. The event was sponsored by Newcastle College.
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