The UK Screen Investment Programme – a new national initiative to attract the next wave of investment into the UK’s flourishing film and TV sectors – is holding its flagship Screen Investment Summit on Wednesday, 26 November at iconic venue, BAFTA Piccadilly.

The programme is in partnership with Hertfordshire Futures, Hertfordshire Growth Board and the University of Hertfordshire. It profiles the UK as a global hub of film and TV production – historically significant and globally leading – building on the industry’s collective success in the last decade.

The summit will discuss key themes for the sector’s growth, from skills and sustainability to tax incentives and comprehensive infrastructure, and how the national Industrial Strategy and Creative Industries Sector Plan are taking forward growth. It will also spotlight the interconnected development of hospitality, supply chain, residential areas, energy and innovation essential to a thriving, sustainable screen ecosystem.

The screen industry has brought more than £17.4 billion into the UK economy and directly employs approximately 300,000 people. One million sq. ft. of stage space was developed in 2022-23, with newbuild, converted and demountable stage space helping to meet demand.

Globally renowned companies such as Sky, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Elstree Studios are all based in Hertfordshire with other major brands such as Pinewood and Disney UK located in the South East. Major cities such as Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and London all have screen clusters with outstanding potential for growth. Notable pipeline developments include the recently approved £450 million Crown Works Studios in Sunderland in the North East.

Hertfordshire, too, has seen major screen investment within recent years. Just over half of the new studio space being planned and delivered around London and the South East is based in the county, including the newly completed Sky Studios Elstree.

The University of Hertfordshire, partners of the UK Screen Investment Programme, is a key contributor to this creative ecosystem with its animation school, UH Animation, among the best in the world. They also recently announced the launch of ‘Propeller Stage One’, a cutting-edge film studio for this academic year (October 2025), designed to deliver top-tier training in creative and technical skills for the region’s booming film and TV industry.

Hertfordshire Futures via its creative sector plans is driving growth and investment, and in partnership with White Label is seeking to expand its promotion and bring the value of the film/TV industry ecosystem to a wider audience. 

David Conway, Chair of the UK Screen Investment Summit Steering Group, CEO Pinewood Group, said: “Pinewood Group has a long and proud history of screen production just outside London while supporting the UK industry as a whole. We are seeking nation-wide discussion and collaboration, so the UK as a united consortium can continue to compete as a global-leader in TV and film production, and indeed bolster this position by securing further investment.”

Hertfordshire Growth Board Chair Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council which owns Elstree Studios, said: “Hertfordshire is at the epicentre of film and TV production in the UK. Events such as these coupled with the Government’s new Creative Industry Sector Plan, send out a strong message that our county and country are well placed to attract further investment with development plans already in place. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that this growth has a ripple effect on local communities in terms of jobs, training and wealth creation as well as future spend on our high streets.”

Hertfordshire Futures Board Member and Head of Films and Underrepresented talent at Media Trust, Celia Taylor, who sits on the UK Screen Investment Programme Steering Group, said: “It is a critical time to bring as many voices together when there are so many challenges and opportunities facing our diverse sector, from the impact of AI to global trade headwinds.  It’s vitally important that we continue to champion the domestic sector, nurture homegrown talent and future proof our globally recognised and highly skilled workforce.”

Dr Stephen Partridge, Dean of the School of Creative Arts at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “The Propeller Film Stages project is a bold and innovative initiative designed to develop a diverse and skilled workforce at scale, that meets the skills and talent needs across screen industries. Created in partnership with Adam Morley from Hertfordshire Futures, we’ve worked closely with industry leaders to ensure our training and education aligns with real-world needs. This project reinforces the University of Hertfordshire’s vital role in supporting the continued global success of the UK’s film and TV sector.”