The evening of Tuesday 23 September saw the launch of Creative Industry Finance (CIF), a ground-breaking programme providing business support and access to finance to enable the growth and development of England’s cultural and creative industries.

Bl-nk Space in Shoreditch was filled with over two hundred guests in support of this exciting new initiative and there were speeches from the Chair of Arts Council England, Sir Peter Bazalgette and the Chair of Creative United, David Gilbert.

“Arts Council England is proud to support the launch of Creative Industry Finance,” said Sir Peter Bazalgette. “This innovative programme represents a crucial step in the support of creative businesses and one that I believe will mark the beginning of a strong and sustainable creative economy in England.”

Several recipients of support through Creative Industry Finance’s pilot programme also spoke about their experiences. These included Rhian Kempadoo-Millar, of Kempadoo Millar, designer and maker of Yorkshire flatcaps; Balistiq, the duo behind production company Ulteria; and Dominic Haddock, Executive Director of Opera Up Close, a company that takes opera out of the concert halls and into fringe settings and pop-up venues. The business owners offered their individual and insightful perspectives into the contribution of Creative Industry Finance to their own business growth.

Guests were treated to a surprise performance by Opera Up Close: a scene from La Bohème that brought an energetic edge to the launch party, leaving the audience wowed by the talent on display. Later in the night a raffle offered prizes from Creative Industry Finance supported businesses including a pair of tickets to Opera Up Close’s newest production, Marriage of Figaro at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington. A selection of mini burger sliders were served alongside wine and craft beers from East London favourites, Crate Brewery, with the night’s music provided by Brownswood Recordings’ DJs.

The Creative Industry Finance programme offers up to twelve hours of free sector-specific business support for creative enterprises and the opportunity to access loans from a range of lending partners starting from £2,500 up to £1 million, or more. The programme is open to creative and cultural organisations that have been trading for at least eighteen months and are looking for loan finance to support their growth and development.

The innovative organisation behind this programme is Creative United, an Arts Council England backed Community Interest Company that provides a range of financial products and services designed to enable the growth and development of the UK’s cultural and creative industries.

For interview requests, high-resolution images and further information please contact:

Miriam Nasralla | t: +44 (0)20 7399 2438 | e: [email protected] | w: curzonpr.com

Notes for Editors:

About Creative United:

Creative United has been established with support from Arts Council England to provide a range of financial products and services designed to enable the growth and development of the UK’s cultural and creative industries. Their mission is to build a sustainable and resilient creative economy, making the arts accessible to all. In doing so, they help the creative sector to understand how best to take advantage of the finance opportunities open to them, and enable their finance partners to build their experience and interest in working with creative and cultural enterprises.

They provide creative businesses and cultural organisations with access to a range of commercial tools, finance options, business skills and marketing channels designed to drive up sales revenues and allow them to maximise their commercial potential.

As a Community Interest Company, Creative United’s focus is on delivering a combination of strong social and financial returns.

Creative United’s publicly funded programmes include:

• Own Art – interest free loans for the purchase of contemporary art and craft
• Take it away – interest free loans for the purchase of musical instruments
• Creative Industry Finance – business support and access to finance for creative enterprises

For more information, please visit www.creativeunited.org.uk