Top-Ranked Birmingham Strengthens Creative Sector Ties with New Advisory Board

Creative Industries Collaboration at Heart of Birmingham’s Academic and Regional Ambitions

In a meaningful effort to deepen its engagement with the creative industries, the University of Birmingham hosted its inaugural Creative Industries Advisory Board on 20 June 2025 at The Exchange, its central exhibition and community venue. This newly formed Board brings together leading creative alumni and academic experts to help guide curriculum design, research directions, and wider collaboration with the sector, affirming the university’s dedication to innovation and real-world relevance.

All external Board members are graduates of the university’s creative courses and are serving an initial three-year term. They include co-Chair Adam Driscoll (CEO, ATC Group plc), alongside Hannah Witton, Mark Bell (BBC), Ameesha Green, John Sewell, and Gareth Neame OBE (CEO of Carnival Films and Honorary Professor). Academic members of the Board include co-Chair Professor Gianna Bouchard, Dr Joanna Bucknall, Dr Zoe Hope Bulaitis, Professor Annie Mahtani, and Professor James Walters, each of whom brings expertise from across the creative disciplines.

The meeting opened with presentations on the university’s new Creative Industries and Digital Media programmes. Professor Dan Moore outlined strategic goals for the School, while Dr James Green introduced the CreaTech Frontiers project, which aims to establish a thriving creative industries cluster in the West Midlands. Central to the discussion were the skills required for student success in today’s creative economy. Board members stressed the importance of combining theoretical education with hands-on industry experience, especially in the context of a Russell Group university. Additionally, amid growing use of artificial intelligence, members emphasised the continued importance of storytelling and human-centred design. Plans were also discussed for expanding student opportunities, including potential industry placements and the introduction of a “Year in Creative Industries” as part of the BA Cultural and Creative Industries programme.

On the same day, university academics joined alumni and regional industry leaders to celebrate the formal launch of the institution’s new creative programmes and research initiatives. Notably, this coincided with the University of Birmingham being named the UK’s top institution for Communications and Media Studies in the 2026 Complete University Guide. Together, these developments mark a purposeful step forward in aligning academic excellence with the evolving needs of the creative sector.

Editor’s Note:

The launch of the University of Birmingham’s Creative Industries Advisory Board marks a meaningful step in strengthening the connection between academic learning and the fast-moving creative sector. By bringing together experienced professionals and leading academics, the university is focused on preparing students with both the knowledge and practical skills they need to succeed. This collaborative approach supports strong curriculum design but also helps ensure graduates are ready to meet the demands of an evolving industry. The commitment to human-focused creativity, even as technology like AI grows in influence, is especially important.

Skoobuzz underscores that initiatives like these show how universities can adapt, lead, and support students while staying rooted in real-world impact.