Britain’s creative industry is anecdotally one of the country’s strongest growth and innovation areas. A recent study by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport shows that creatives account for £71.4bn per year to the British economy or 5.2% of the UK economy.

The sector’s growth rate is 15.6% since 2008, compared toe the overall economy’s growth of 5.4% per year. Creative industries account for 8% of UK service exports, or £15.5bn.

Creative industries council chair Nicola Mendelsohn says, “These figures amply demonstrate the huge contribution our sector makes to the economy and it’s vital that the right framework is in place to nurture and support the industry. We are working with Government on developing a growth strategy for the sector which will identify how all involved can ensure the creative industries continue to go from strength to strength.”

But the industry risks losing talent, money and skills, according to the 2014 Salary and Market Insight report carried out by recruitment specialist Reed. The report shows that nearly half of employers in the creative and marketing industries are worried about losing talent – perhaps due to salary freezes and lack of opportunities for advancement (The survey also sows that 28% of employees are seeking promotion in 2014.).

With 39% of respondents noticing a skills gap within their organisation, and the persistent struggle by the British design community to encourage young people to learn design and digital skills, the strength of the sector may be in jeopardy.