Creative industries jobs 'could double by 2040' after investment in West Midlands region, BBC report says

However the report by BOP Consulting in partnership with City-REDI adds that an "ambitiously resourced and coordinated approach" will be required from partner organisations in order to deliver the region's full creative potential.

In 2021, the BBC signed a formal 5-year partnership agreement with Create Central and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) designed to grow the region’s creative content sector, and work started on the corporation's new landmark regional HQ at former Typhoo Tea Factory in Digbeth earlier this year. 

The move forms part of the BBC's "Across the UK" strategy, intended to invest in talent development in regional locations outside London, which it says is estimated to directly generate 910 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs supported by the BBC in the midlands, a 94% increase on its baseline figure. The corporation says the investment has the potential to create up to 7,603 FTE jobs by 2031 through the development of the region's creative industries.

"The additional expenditure from increased investment by the BBC has a substantial effect and is expected to lead to 7,603 additional creative sector employment opportunities in the West Midlands by 2031 compared to the baseline scenario, " the report says.

"By 2031 there are expected to be 18% more creative sector jobs in the West Midlands than in the baseline scenario. From 2032 to 2040, the uplift in the BBC’s employment spending is expected to further create an additional 12,217 FTE job-years. This means that by 2040, creative sector employment opportunities will have almost doubled from the 2023 base."

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said the report highlighted the "scale of opportunity" for the region's creative sector.

"We believe in making world-class content from Digbeth, putting the people and the place at the epicentre of the creative industries while reflecting their stories, " he said. 

"We will continue to work closely with our partners and the authorities across the sector to keep pace with our ambition to unlock the full potential of the West Midlands.” 

The report adds that by 2031, the total number of creative firms is expected to reach 6,480, which is an increase of 224 over baseline projections for 2031 as a result of the BBC's increased investment programme.

"These investments are part of the BBC’s commitment to transform its impact across the Midlands, whilst the decision to move the BBC Midlands HQ to a new state of the art broadcast centre at The Tea Factory in Digbeth reflects the ambition to accelerate the growth of a new creative cluster in the Midlands, which has brought together a wide range of creative and commercial investors," said the BBC in a statement.

"The BBC is actively working with partners in the Midlands, including the West Midlands Combined Authority and Create Central to grow its investment over the coming years and increase its economic impact further. This report sets out a blueprint for growth, with further support required from public and private investment."