Queen Mary professor chairs Thames Estuary Creative Skills Taskforce

The Thames Estuary Creative Skills Taskforce held its inaugural meeting on 22 October, bringing together representatives from the Greater London Authority (GLA), Creative Estuary and other partners including BFI, Royal Opera House, East Bank, Kent and Essex County Councils, Local Skills Improvement Plans for Kent, Essex and east London, seven local authorities, eight universities, four FE colleges, schools and industry training providers such as Film London, to discuss how the region can build on its existing strengths and support the future creative workforce.

The taskforce forms part of the Thames Estuary Production Corridor partnership, which unites creative industries organisations and infrastructure across east London, North Kent and South Essex with the ambition of building the world’s largest creative production corridor.

Building on existing strengths

Aoife Monks, Professor of Cultural and Creative Industries at Queen Mary University of London, is chairing the taskforce to explore how employers and commissioners, education providers, policymakers, local authorities, cultural organisations and communities can work together to support skills and workforce development.

The project aims to move beyond traditional narratives around skills shortages to recognise the knowledge, experience and expertise already present within local communities which can be directed towards good work in the creative economy.

The taskforce will also consider how existing investment, infrastructure and partnerships can support more inclusive opportunities across the region's creative industries.

“This taskforce aims to build a shared framework for the Thames Estuary region that can better support creative industries employers, remove barriers to entry for the region’s local communities, identify training and support needs for freelance workers, and tackle the challenges and opportunities of AI for the creative workforce.  We aim to shape a framework that will help organisations in the Estuary to coordinate their efforts, ensuring that local communities truly benefit from the investment in creative industries infrastructure across the region.” - Professor Aoife Monks, Director of the Queen Mary Centre for Creative Collaboration

Continuing collaboration across the Thames Estuary

Queen Mary's involvement builds on its existing engagement with the Thames Estuary Production Corridor.

In April 2026, the University hosted the Thames Estuary Production Corridor Skills Summit as part of a wider celebration organised with the GLA and Creative Estuary, marking nine years since the initiative's launch.

The event brought together policymakers, researchers, investors and creative industry practitioners to showcase the region's achievements and discuss challenges around skills, funding and future investment.

Organisations including Royal Opera and Ballet East, 3 Mills Studios, Caramel Rock and AΦE (AE) highlighted the breadth of creative activity taking place across the region, from film and television production to fashion, performing arts and digital innovation.

The new taskforce builds on this wider programme of collaboration, providing an opportunity for partners to consider how existing work and investment can inform future approaches to skills and workforce development.

“Our work together in partnership, marks a sea change in thinking about what local people need to gain experience, share their knowledge, and, build and maintain their dream jobs and careers in the Creative & Cultural Industries.  This work is well timed to answer government calls to create momentum for growth in every postcode.  As the creative development agency for the Thames Estuary, Creative Estuary has delivered £5.1m in social value 2023-26 through co-commissions, training, mentoring, and business support for the creative sector; working hand-in-hand with the local authorities on both sides of the Thames.  The energy and expertise in the room yesterday fills me with hope that we can drive momentum for growth.” - Lorraine Cox, Director Creative Estuary.

Looking ahead

Following its inaugural meeting, the taskforce will work with regional partners to explore how the Thames Estuary's existing creative strengths can support workforce development and widen access to opportunities.

Read more:

• Industry leaders set out plan to strengthen creative workforce across the Thames Estuary
• Celebrating the Thames Estuary Production Corridor at Queen Mary

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