GOVERNMENT is in danger of “choking off the talent pipeline” in the arts and creative industries, according to a leading figure at Buckinghamshire New University.
Frazer Mackenzie was speaking at the start of the university’s Arts and Creative Industries Show and said the areas must be made a “priority” to ensuring a good deal for Britain in the Brexit negotiations.
Mackenzie said he supported a General Election manifesto by the Creative Industries Federation, stressing the importance of the arts and creative industries sector for the economy and driving economic growth after Brexit.
“Without a strong and effective government strategy to protect the creative sector, and to ensure there is strong inward investment in UK talent, we are in danger of seeing one of the few sectors where the UK remains world beating dwindling in economic value, as the ability to compete internationally declines and as the talent moves overseas to survive,” said Mackenzie.
“While the Government has made it abundantly clear that they wish to throw their support behind Stem-based disciplines they are in danger of doing this at the expense of the arts and creative industries and choking off the talent pipeline that has clearly demonstrated its value to the UK economy.
“Both industry and educators will be watching the election and Brexit with a good deal of interest over the coming months.”
Mackenzie, who is the head of the School of Arts and Creative Industries at the university, added: “The arts and creative industries sector has been the fastest growing sector of the UK economy since the 2008 crash, worth £87 billion – more than car manufacturing or aerospace.
“This is four times that of the automotive industry, six times that of life sciences and 10 times that of the aerospace industry.
“A key point of Brexit negotiations will be around the negative impact it could have on the free movement of UK talent and the protection of intellectual property across borders. During the UK’s time in the EU there has been considerable movement made on harmonising IP and copyright laws, and there is a danger that Brexit could undo a lot of that good work.”
Buckinghamshire New University is home to state-of-the-art film and television and audio and music production suites.
The Arts and Creative Industries Show began yesterday and runs until June 15 at the university campus in Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2JZ. The Show is open from 11am-3pm on Saturday 10 June and Sunday 11 June; 11am-4pm on Monday 12 June; 11am-7pm on Tuesday 13 June and Wednesday 14 June; and 11am-4pm on Thursday 15 June.
Buckinghamshire New University was founded in 1891 as the School of Science, Art and Technical Instruction. Today, it offers industry-focused degree programmes and professional qualifications across the creative and cultural industries, management and information management sectors, and the public sector. It is also one of the leading providers of nursing students in north-west London and won the Education Provider of the Year (post-registration) award at the 2015 Student Nursing Times Awards and the Teaching Excellence award at the Guardian University Awards 2016.
The University has campuses in High Wycombe, Uxbridge, Aylesbury, and Great Missenden. It was officially awarded university status in 2007 and has a range of industry-focused facilities used by professionals, including a new Human Performance, Exercise & Wellbeing Centre, simulation suites for areas such as healthcare and aviation, and state-of-the-art film and television and audio and music production suites. It also owns the dedicated conference and events venue, Missenden Abbey.
Research carried out at Bucks New University is focused on the needs of business, commerce and industry as well as the public and voluntary sectors. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, its submissions were identified as ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’. The University has a range of research centres and institutes, with expertise including, but not limited to, nursing, policing, social work, telehealth, sport, and vocational learning.
Its alumni include renowned British designer Robin Day, London 2012 Paralympic and Olympic medallists Naomi Riches and Chloe Rogers, and actor and comedian Noel Fielding. The University has also bestowed honorary degrees on well-known figures including broadcast journalist Michael Mosley, professional dancers Kevin and Karen Clifton, presenter Fern Britton and England Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio.
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