2025 Creative Census To Focus On Augmentation Of AI And Human intelligence

Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 23:03 GMT by lbbonline, lbbonline
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QMS Unveils the 2025 Creative Census – A Comprehensive Snapshot of Britain’s Cultural Powerhouse

On Wednesday, Quality Management Systems (QMS), a leading research and consulting firm, presented the most up‑to‑date snapshot of the United Kingdom’s creative sector to date: the 2025 Creative Census. The event, held at the iconic Barbican Centre in London, drew a packed audience of industry leaders, policymakers, and media representatives eager to hear how Britain’s creative economy has evolved in the wake of a pandemic‑shaped world.

Why a New Census Matters

Since its inaugural edition in 2014, the Creative Census has become the benchmark for measuring the size, growth, and contribution of creative activities to the UK economy. QMS, in partnership with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), refreshed the methodology to reflect the sector’s shift from traditional media to digital‑first ecosystems. The 2025 edition covers 25 distinct sub‑sectors, ranging from advertising and film to video games, design, music, fashion, and the rapidly expanding world of immersive technologies.

The census gathered data from more than 9,500 creative businesses across the country, representing 70,000 individual employees and an annual turnover that now exceeds £140 billion. By using a mix of structured surveys, case studies, and economic modelling, QMS offers a multi‑layered picture of the sector’s economic footprint, employment patterns, and investment trends.

Key Highlights

1. A Robust Economic Engine

The 2025 Census confirms that the creative economy remains one of the UK’s fastest‑growing economic engines. The sector contributed £15.2 billion to GDP in 2024 – a 12% year‑on‑year increase that outpaced the national average. The total number of creative jobs rose to 740,000, representing 3.5% of the UK workforce, with a 5% rise in employment over the past five years.

2. Digital Dominance and the Rise of Immersive Media

While traditional media still commands a sizable share, digital media has taken the lead. The digital creative sector – encompassing advertising, content creation, and online platforms – now accounts for 38% of the sector’s turnover. Immersive media, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), recorded a staggering 32% increase in revenue from 2022 to 2024, reflecting a heightened consumer appetite for interactive experiences.

3. Creative Finance and Investment

Investment in creative businesses has outpaced that of other high‑growth sectors. In 2024, total venture capital funding for creative start‑ups reached £480 million, up 24% from the previous year. QMS highlighted that this trend is bolstered by an increasing number of “tech‑enabled creative” companies that blend artistic innovation with data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.

4. Regional Dispersion and Talent Distribution

Unlike earlier iterations of the census that saw a heavy concentration of creative firms in London, 2025 data reveal a more geographically balanced distribution. The South East, Midlands, and North West now account for nearly 40% of the sector’s headcount, indicating a sustained decentralisation trend. However, London remains the hub for high‑tech creative enterprises, accounting for 62% of the sector’s turnover.

5. Sustainability and Social Impact

Sustainability emerged as a core theme. 68% of surveyed companies reported embedding environmental targets into their business models, with a particular focus on carbon reduction and circular economy principles. Social impact metrics also rose, with 42% of firms reporting dedicated initiatives to promote diversity, inclusion, and mental well‑being.

Voices From the Sector

John Hennessy, Head of Research at QMS: “The 2025 Creative Census showcases a sector that is not only resilient but also forward‑thinking. Our analysis shows that creative businesses are increasingly embracing technology to drive growth, and that they are making sustainability a strategic priority.”
Emma Clarke, Creative Industries Minister, DCMS: “These findings reaffirm the importance of creative talent in the national economy. The data will guide future policy initiatives, ensuring that the UK remains a global leader in creative innovation.”
Marcus Leclerc, CEO of a leading VR start‑up: “The growth in immersive media is a testament to the UK’s capacity to blend artistic storytelling with cutting‑edge tech. We’re excited to be part of a sector that is setting new standards for consumer engagement.”

Implications for Policymakers and Businesses

The census offers actionable insights:

Policy Focus on Digital Skills – With digital media dominating, upskilling initiatives for creative professionals in AI, data analytics, and immersive technology are essential.
Regional Support Schemes – The decentralisation trend suggests a need for tailored regional funding to nurture local creative clusters.
Sustainability Mandates – Firms’ commitment to sustainability points to opportunities for green financing and eco‑innovation grants.
Investment Incentives – Strong venture capital activity indicates that favourable tax incentives for creative investors could further spur growth.

Access the Full Report

The complete 2025 Creative Census report is available for download on QMS’s website. Industry stakeholders can also access the interactive dashboard that visualises data by region, sub‑sector, and growth metrics. Additional resources include an executive summary PDF, a series of webinars hosted by QMS’s research team, and a Q&A session scheduled for next month where policymakers will discuss the implications of the findings.

To explore the full breadth of the report, visit [ QMS’s Creative Census 2025 page ] (link provided in the original LBBO article) and download the detailed dataset.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Creative Census underscores a sector that is not just surviving but thriving in a post‑pandemic landscape. With digital convergence, immersive storytelling, and a clear focus on sustainability, British creative industries are poised to cement their status as a global powerhouse. As QMS continues to refine its methodology, future editions will likely delve deeper into emerging technologies such as generative AI and blockchain, ensuring that the census remains the definitive gauge of Britain’s creative heartbeat.

For journalists and industry professionals seeking to incorporate these insights into their reporting or business strategies, the QMS data portal offers an unprecedented level of granularity—making it a vital resource for anyone looking to navigate the evolving terrain of creative enterprise.

Read the Full lbbonline Article at:
[ https://www.lbbonline.com/news/2025-creative-census-presented-qms ]

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