A diverse range of businesses were praised for their innovation, dedication and exciting work in Nottingham during the Creative Class 2016 (7 July), an event celebrating the next generation of creative businesses in the city.
The Creative Class 2016 line up – or #CC2016 – was announced at the Nottingham Contemporary when ten businesses were identified as having huge growth potential. They presented their businesses before an enthusiastic audience of Nottingham Means Business members and guests eager to hear about what inspired them, how they’ve grown and the secrets of their success.
The ten firms were: Boom Online Marketing, Cofabrico, Distinction, Exco InTouch, Hosta Consulting, MultiPie, Retail Assist, Roller Agency, The Simplifiers and Sumo Digital.
Kathy McArdle, chief executive at The Creative Quarter said: “Recent figures announced by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport show that the East Midlands has the highest growing rate of employment in the creative industries in the UK – three times faster than the UK average with more than 103,000 jobs in the region.
“This news underlines just how important creative industries are to Nottingham and initiatives like Creative Class 2016 are a vital part of supporting growing companies. This year’s winners are all creating jobs for local people and attracting talent to Nottingham, and by being part of #CC2016 they’ll be able to employ even more people. Plus, of course, they show what a diverse and exciting sector the creative industries is.”
The Creative Class 2016 is co-supported by Nottingham’s Creative Quarter, Nottingham Means Business (NMB) and Nottingham City Council, and is sponsored by PwC.
Simon Gray, chief executive of Nottingham Means Business, said: “This year’s Creative Class members are an inspiration to the local business community and Nottingham as a whole. Each one of these businesses is making an impact locally, across the country, and in some cases, across the world.
“We are so proud of the Creative Class and all it has achieved since it was launched in 2011. Now in its fifth year, we have profiled numerous exciting and innovative businesses and this year is no exception.”
The Creative Class initiative began with nine creative companies which were heralded as leading the way in terms of dynamism and diversity. Many Creative Class companies have gone on to achieve significant success, create hundreds of jobs and gain huge profile for the city and county.
Councillor Nick McDonald, Nottingham City Council portfolio holder for business, growth and transport, said: “We’re very pleased to once again support the Creative Class and these ten great Nottingham businesses typify the creativity that’s making Nottingham a real focal point for innovation and imagination. Congratulations to all of them on what they’ve achieved.”
Creative Class 2016 is sponsored for the third year running by PwC. Paul Norbury, office senior partner at PwC in the East Midlands, and a judge for #CC2016, said: “We are passionate about supporting private businesses in the East Midlands and we’re proud to work with many innovative and vibrant entrepreneurs and small businesses in the region.
“Judging the Creative Class every year is an exciting experience for me personally, as we are helping to discover Nottingham’s next great businesses. It’s immensely important that we continue to spot and nurture businesses in this way, helping to cement the city’s strong business credentials and inspire future business leaders.
“As part of our sponsorship, our fast growth team offers all members of the Creative Class an introductory meeting to find out how we can help them take their business to the next stage, and over the course of the year we provide guidance, support and introductions to the wider network of PwC specialists.”
