Creative UK launches Barclays-sponsored growth program for screen businesses
Creative UK, the non-profit national membership body for the Cultural and Creative Industries, has launched Fast Forward, a specialized business growth program designed to help screen-based creative businesses scale sustainably. Announced today, the initiative is sponsored by Barclays and backed by BFI National Lottery funding.
The program targets established creative businesses across screen industries, including games, film, television, and adjacent sectors. Fast Forward combines three core elements: structured workshops, peer learning opportunities, and dedicated industry mentoring. The program positions mentoring as its central component, matching participating businesses with experienced industry veterans who provide tailored support to address real-world growth challenges.
This initiative reflects efforts to support the UK’s creative sector during a period of industry consolidation and economic uncertainty. By combining financial backing from major corporate sponsors and lottery funding with practical business guidance, Fast Forward aims to strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of mid-sized creative enterprises.