UK Government Launches Creative Trade Forum to Support Games Industry Exports

The UK government has launched a new Creative Trade Forum aimed at helping the country's creative industries increase exports and build international commercial partnerships. The forum was announced by Minister for Reindustrialisation Blair McDougall, with co-chairs Francesca Hegyi of Edinburgh International Festival and Michael Frohlich of WPP.

The initiative will connect creative business leaders with industry and government expertise to identify barriers to growth, champion UK creative exports, and attract investment. Participating organizations include YouTube, the British Film Institute, WPP, the British Council, BBC Studios, and Goalhanger. The forum will report to the Creative Industries Council and provide businesses with access to resources as they seek to enter new markets.

Video games are among four frontier creative industries targeted for support through the program. The UK's creative industries contributed more than £145 billion to the economy in 2024. Following a £10 million pilot that attracted approximately 700 applicants, further funding opportunities are scheduled to launch in 2027, covering film and TV, video games, music, performing and visual arts, and advertising and marketing.