Investors are keen to get involved with Bristol’s ambitious media and creative businesses, a high-profile panel discussion led by some of the city’s best-known names in the industry has heard.
The event, staged by the Bristol office of accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson, attracted film-makers, animators, digital marketers and graphic designers.
Smith & Williamson associate director Steve Ashworth told the audience: “In my view, there is an appetite among investors for companies with growth potential. 
“Any steps the sector takes to promote the quality of its work and the talent of its people, will be well received and serve to strengthen its position.”
Mr Ashworth, on the left in the picture, was on the panel with, clockwise, Aardman Animations executive chairman David Sproxton, Chris Thurling, digital media specialist and founder of 3Sixty, Fraser Bradshaw, CEO of Bristol Media and creative marketing agency saintnicks, Paul Appleby, chair of Bristol Media and the Creative Sector Group of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and Laura Marshall, managing director at Icon Films.
Mr Bradshaw, who chaired the discussion, said: “The success of Bristol Media during the last eight years, in bringing together the creative industries in the region, has shown that co-operative ventures and a collective, determination to grow talent, capability and reach by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus really works.
“Over 20,400 people are employed in the creative and media sector in the region and there is a huge diversity of talent from animation and film, post-production, digital and media businesses. Second offices have been opened by several London agencies showing the strength and appeal of the region.”
The event took place at Yurt Lush on Creative Common, Temple Meads. Smith & Williamson has a dedicated media services team in Bristol.
