Caroline Norbury to step down as Creative UK chief executive

Caroline Norbury is to step down as chief executive of Creative UK, the national membership body for cultural and creative industries, in March 2026.

Norbury was the founding chief executive of Creative UK. The organisation was established in 2021, when Creative England (also founded by Norbury) merged with the Creative Industries Federation.

The recruitment process for her successor will start in late September 2025, supported by people advisory firm, GatenbySanderson. In the interim, Creative UK will be led by managing director Laura Turner Laing.

Since its inception, Creative UK group has invested over £100m into creative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK.

Creative UK is working with the government to refine and define the role of the promised ‘freelance champion’ – a position that will be tasked with representing the rights of the largely freelance creative workforce.

Last month, Creative UK published its vision for the role in paper Delivering For Freelancers, and Norbury has been forthright in calling for it to be a paid, independent appointment, while the government has yet to commit to these terms.

“The purpose of establishing Creative UK was to build a sustainable organisation which delivered real impact for the cultural and creative industries. Five years on, I am so proud of our achievements,” said Norbury.

“From our advocacy work to our investment strategy and impactful programmes – it has been a privilege to lead an organisation that shouts loudly for change whilst putting our money where our mouth is: connecting creatives to investment, backing brilliant creative talent whilst simultaneously championing the value of the cultural and creative industries to build both economic and social prosperity.

“With a highly skilled senior leadership team in place – and an exceptional board to back them – I am looking forward to putting my energy into new ventures and stepping back, knowing that Creative UK will only go from strength to strength in the future. I will always be a passionate cheerleader for the UK’s creative sector, and I am looking forward to supporting a new leader take this wonderful, impactful organisation to its next stage.”

“As this chapter closes, I look forward to supporting the executive leadership team in appointing a new chief executive for this important organisation,” added Belinda Budge, chair of Creative UK. “With a strong team and network in place, Caroline has built a legacy that will last. I know the next leader in post will be keen to support our wonderful team as we continue to deliver change with creativity at its heart.”

Creative UK’s funders include National Lottery funding via the British Film Institute (BFI) for the Creative Enterprise programme; partnerships with organisations like the British Business Bank; its own landmark investment funds, such as Creative Growth Finance in partnership with Triodos Bank; and works with local authorities to deliver specific programmes.

Norbury began her career working in community arts. She is a founding board member of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Agency (CIISA) and also sits on the government’s Creative Industries Council and board of trustees for Aardman Animation. 

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