The UK Screen Investment Summit Programme

The UK Screen Investment Summit brings together leaders from across industry, government and academia to explore how the UK can sustain its global leadership in screen production amid rapid change in technology, finance and global competition. The agenda focuses on growth, investment, AI-driven production, workforce sustainability and the wider economic impact of the screen sector.

8:30 am

Registration and breakfast

9:20 am

Welcome from The UK Screen Investment Programme

Speakers:

Katharine Glass
UK Screen Investment Programme / White Label Creative
David Conway
Pinewood Group (Chair of the UK Screen Investment Programme Steering Group)
9:30 am

Welcome from Hertfordshire Growth Board

Speakers:

Cllr Jeremy Newmark
Hertsmere Borough Council / Hertfordshire Growth Board / Elstree Film Studios
9:45 am

From creative powerhouse to strategic industry: What the UK must do to protect its world leading status in screen production

This session will explore what the UK must do to maintain and strengthen its position as a global leader in screen production at a time of rapid industry change. It will consider the UK’s next phase of growth, moving beyond established production clusters towards a more fully integrated and globally competitive screen economy. The discussion will also reflect on how international competition has evolved since the “streamer wars” era, and what this means for the UK’s long-term strategic positioning.

The panel will examine how the UK can remain competitive as technological capability increasingly becomes a more significant differentiator than physical infrastructure alone. It will also explore the balance between attracting inward investment and strengthening domestic intellectual property creation and retention. The session will define what “scaling success” now means in practice, moving beyond the volume of production activity to a more holistic view of value, resilience and sustainable growth across the sector.

Chaired by:

David Conway
Pinewood Group (Chair of the UK Screen Investment Programme Steering Group)

Speakers:

Cllr Jeremy Newmark
Hertsmere Borough Council / Hertfordshire Growth Board / Elstree Film Studios
10:35 am

A new golden era for UK screen: Soft power, storytelling and global cultural reach

This session will explore whether the UK is entering a new golden era of global cultural influence through film and television, and how screen content is shaping international perceptions of the UK in 2026. It will look at the role of storytelling, formats and talent in sustaining global demand, and why UK content continues to travel successfully across international markets.

It will also consider where that advantage is strengthening or being challenged, and how screen industries contribute to wider soft power, diplomacy and national influence. The panel will reflect on whether a “new golden era” is already emerging or still aspirational, and what is needed to fully realise it.

10:55 am

Coffee break

11:25 am

Screen-led growth: How production is powering the UK’s wider economy

This session will take a broader look at how screen production acts as a catalyst for growth across the UK economy, extending well beyond the screen sector itself. It will explore how film and TV drive activity in tourism, gaming, immersive experiences and music, and how cross-sector IP is increasingly moving between screen, games and emerging immersive formats.

The discussion will also consider the role of place-based growth, examining how production activity can reshape local economies beyond traditional studio hubs. The panel will look at how the UK can move from one-off production wins to longer-term economic value, and how it can capture more of the downstream benefits created by its global screen success.

Chaired by:

David Cordery
Trowers & Hamlins

12:10 pm

Supporting production clusters across the UK

Production clusters across the UK have the potential to drive a more balanced, resilient and connected screen economy, linking talent, infrastructure and investment beyond London and the South East. This session explores how regional ecosystems can support long-term industry growth through stronger skills pipelines, production capacity and cross-regional collaboration.

The discussion will examine how connecting clusters across cities and regions could unlock larger-scale “production corridors”, while exploring the coordinated investment, policy support and industry partnerships needed to turn regional ambition into a globally competitive reality.

12:45 pm

From soundstage to balance sheet: how production space underpins UK screen investment

This session explores how studio space, production ecosystems and occupation strategy drive investment, scalability and long-term value in the UK screen sector. Panellists will examine how occupiers make location decisions, the relationship between studio development and market demand, and the role of leasing and pre-let structures in unlocking investment. The discussion will also consider how emerging technologies, including virtual production, are reshaping future studio and infrastructure requirements.

Chaired by:

Owen Spencer
Forsters

1:20 pm

Lunch break

2:20 pm

Rewiring content: AI, platforms and the future of production

This session explores how AI, global platforms and production innovation are reshaping content creation, distribution and monetisation across the value chain, from production workflows to audience discovery and IP strategy, alongside the growing need for clear guardrails on copyright, skills investment and long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global market.

Chaired by:

Adam Morley
The Elstree Immersive Experience

Speakers:

Tina Saul
KINTAL
Professor Raffaella Folgieri
Department of Philosophy, Università degli Studi di Milano
Stephen Partridge
University of Hertfordshire
3:05 pm

Financing UK content: Capital, risk and the new investment landscape

This session will explore how financing models for UK content are evolving in a more selective, post-streamer-boom environment, and what this means for capital, risk and long-term sustainability in the sector. It will examine the changing balance between public support, private equity and international investment, alongside shifting risk appetite within commissioning and production.

The discussion will also consider the growing importance of ownership and IP retention in driving long-term value creation, as well as emerging financing models across independent production and the creator economy. It will explore how co-production opportunities can be better leveraged to support shared risk-taking and unlock new sources of investment for UK content.

3:50 pm

Closing keynote

4:00 pm

Close from The UK Screen Investment Programme

Speakers:

Katharine Glass
UK Screen Investment Programme / White Label Creative
4:05 pm

Drinks reception

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BOOK YOUR PLACE
Tickets for the 2026 UK Screen Investment Summit, in partnership with Hertfordshire Growth Board, are available at the standard rate of £450 +VAT. Public sector employees can purchase tickets at £325 +VAT throughout the campaign.

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