Games industry visits 10 Downing Street.
Senior games and esport industry figures, including Ukie CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE, Ukie Chair, Noirin Carmody and representatives from PlayStation, ESL, SEGA, Team Dignitas, Ninja Theory, Media Molecule and more, attended a Creative Industries reception last night at 10 Downing Street, hosted by the Prime Minister.
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister praised the £92 billion that the creative industries contribute to the economy and announced a new £3 million fund to support creative and cultural organisations across the Northern Powerhouse.
Speaking after the event, Ukie CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE said: “The games sector is one of the leading voices of the creative industries, and we have played a key role in shaping the government’s recently announced sector deal, so it was great to be represented in force at the Number 10 reception. Being invited along by the Prime Minister is further evidence that the games and esport industries’ contributions to the cultural and economic success of the UK is being recognised at the most senior levels of government.”
“We took the opportunity to discuss what the UK games and esports sector needs in order to become a truly global success, in particular access to top quality talent, data flows, accessing more funding and getting more cultural recognition. We also talked about some of the ways that the sector is helping itself through representation at global trade events and promoting skills though initiatives like the Digital Schoolhouse programme, powered by PlayStation.”
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About UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie)
Ukie (UK Interactive Entertainment) is the only trade body for the UK's games and interactive entertainment industry. A not-for-profit, it represents businesses of all sizes from small start-ups to large multinational developers, publishers and service companies, working across online, mobile apps, consoles, PC, eSports, VR and AR.
Ukie aims to support, grow and promote member businesses and the wider UK games and interactive entertainment industry by optimising the economic, cultural, political and social environment needed for businesses to thrive.
Ukie works closely with the sector to influence government and decision makers, lobbying successfully for the 2014 Video Games Tax Relief, the UK Games Fund, and the Next Gen Skills campaign which resulted in a new Computer Science Curriculum. Ukie makes connections for businesses and help them access the opportunities a digital economy offers, via a successful International Trade programme, running UK Games Industry stands at the biggest international industry events.
It promotes the industry by working with the media to raise awareness of the sector’s positive cultural and economic contribution, as well as the societal benefits of games. Ukie runs askaboutgames.com, where families can learn about safe and sensible online practices, parental controls and age ratings.
Ukie’s skills work serves to increase inclusion and diversity, advocating a STEAM approach to education. Initiatives include the Digital Schoolhouse (DSH), Video Games Ambassadors (VGAs), a Student Membership scheme, and a professional development programme.
Ukie commissioned the Blueprint for Growth report in 2015, an independent review of the UK games industry with recommendations for decision makers in Parliament for how the industry can grow.
In 2016 Ukie partnered with Film London to deliver Games London, a ground breaking new three-year programme to promote the UK as the games capital of the world, the focal point of which is the annual London Games Festival.
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