The UK Creative Festival celebrates the best of the UK creative industries whilst creating pathways for aspiring young creatives. Located in Dreamland Margate, this year’s theme was around ‘Pirates of Creativity, Mavericks of Leadership and disruptors of the future’ and hosted over 750 delegates and 120 young creatives providing two days of talks, workshops, panels, wellness activities, and social events. There were some big creative names including Rankin and Wayne Hemingway, not to mention agency and advertising legends.
I was thrilled to be invited to speak under the theme of: Disrupters of the Future, discussing “Workspace or My Place? The role of the office in an experience economy” joined by fellow panellists: 
- Nick Cannons, Director at Esse Agency *moderator
- Mark Davy, Founder & CEO, Future City
- Caroline Donaghue, Director at V1
- Toby Allen, ECD The&Partnership London
And what a great debate! Whilst Nick moderated, Mark spoke about the proposition of future space and the role of creativity in hybrid working, whilst Toby provided tangible examples of his agency’s new space and how its driven creativity and collaboration.
Its a subject I’m very passionate about! Ultimately, I believe that whilst some companies are undecided and not knowing which way to turn, they are being overtaken by companies who have a strong vision and sense of purpose. And controversially I’m going to say the same for employees! Younger people need to think long term not just about their immediate lifestyle now. Are you inspired, are you learning and most importantly are you visible to the people above and around you? if not you’re running the risk you’re going to be overtaken. And senior level management are never too senior to ask themselves the same question! Learning and inspiration is 360- we can learn just as much from juniors and we owe it to the next generation to nurture and mentor our talent of the future.
For creative and agencies, let’s also think of better names to call the office! Are you an office, a studio or something else? The two have very different connotations and sub conscious effects on employees culture.
The rest of the festival line up was incredible and I wish I could have gone to every talk and workshop. Personal highlights include Rankin! As a creative at heart I’ve always been a fan of his work and
it was amazing to hear him in conversation with the charismatic Scott Morrison (Founder of The Boom), around the theme of Pirate of Creativity: ‘Be Fucking Nosey’ and also get the chance to chat to him back stage.
Another highlight was definitely Maverick of Leadership: Don’t ‘Mind the Gap’, Close it! Women in the workplace is another subject I’m incredibly passionate about and it was amazing to hear these inspiring women talk about their experiences and life lessons. Two take aways that have stayed with me: “Just say no” and “stop saying sorry”. I’m sure most women reading this will resonate!
Wellbeing was a key theme of the festival with morning yoga on the beach. I was gutted to miss Sound Healing & Yoga Nidra but I had way too much adrenaline after our panel discussion to relax into either! (despite loving both). I was also disappointed to miss Adha Parris discussing the challenge of growing relevance, creative edge and vision in an increasingly complex and ever-changing landscape via Cyborg Shamanism – a deep but subtle fusion of the intersection of ecology, technology, innovation and art. When embedded effectively into the heart of organisations ‘Cyborg Shamanism’ can transform thinking, cultures and futures. Wow!
The festival ended with the Creative Circle Awards ceremony – where the great and good of creative, communications and advertising campaigns were recognised for showcasing great ideas, fresh thinking and craft.
Whilst the festival was a brilliant event, it is actually part of a meaningful cause which is to help to connect, educate, and inspire young untapped talent with the best of the UK creative communities and invited young creatives to attend for free and also to visit. Its also home to the UK’s first free-to-access creative careers fair.
About UK Creative Festival
Founded in 2019, and held annually in Margate’s iconic Dreamland, the UK Creative Festival exists to unite all UK creative industries. It is a celebration of all that is good and a forum to discuss some of the most pressing issues faced by the industry today.
At the heart of the festival is a free-to-attend careers fair, aimed at supporting a broader, more diverse intake of young creatives to the UK’s cultural sectors.
The festival is a hub for inspiration, networking, reconnecting with peers, creative conversation and bringing these wonderful career opportunities to a new generation of people who come from a true representation of the UK’s culture and community.
UK Creative Festival Website: https://ukcreativefestival.co.uk
