GuildHE has today convened the first meeting of its national Creative Higher Education (HE) Strategy Taskforce, marking a significant milestone in the development of a new sector-wide strategy for creative higher education.

Chaired by Professor Roni Brown, Professor Emeritus, University of the Arts London, the Taskforce met this week following the official launch of the Creative HE Strategy Project in September 2025. The initiative brings together senior representatives from across the creative, education and policy landscape, including Arts Council England, Creative UK, the Department for Education (DfE), Research England, Skills England, JISC, Graduate Futures Institute, the British Academy, CHEAD, and mission groups.

The Creative HE Strategy aims to provide a clear and ambitious roadmap for the future, ensuring that creative higher education continues to play a vital role in economic growth, skills development, research excellence, civic engagement, and the UK’s international standing.

The Taskforce has been established to develop a strategic framework that harnesses the full potential of higher education in supporting national priorities and maximising the impact of creative practice. Its work will focus on three core themes:

  • Curriculum, Pedagogy and Technical Skills
  • Research and Innovation
  • Regions, Engaged Citizenship and Civic Responsibility

The launch of this Taskforce marks a pivotal moment for creative higher education. By bringing together leaders from the creative industries, policymakers and higher education, we have a unique opportunity to shape a bold, practical strategy that strengthens skills, advances research and deepens civic impact in every region of the UK.

The UK’s creative excellence is recognised around the world, but sustaining that success requires a dynamic, future-focused higher education sector. GuildHE is proud to be at the forefront of this effort, championing innovation, collaboration and growth across the creative landscape.

Dr Brooke Storer-Church, CEO, GuildHE

In addition to the three core themes, the Taskforce will address several cross-cutting priorities, including place-based development; artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies; equality, diversity and inclusion; the size, scale and sustainability of HE providers; and the global reputation of the UK’s creative higher education sector.

GuildHE expects to launch a sector-wide call for evidence in March 2026 and encourages stakeholders across higher education, industry, and the cultural sector to engage with the process.

 

-ENDS-

 

For more information, or to arrange an interview:

Contact Julia Roche, GuildHE Interim Communications Manager, email [email protected] or telephone 07418 069 364.

Notes to editors

  1. For further information about the Creative HE Taskforce and Strategy, please contact:
    Dana Gamble, Policy Manager, telephone 07877 602 135 or email [email protected] 
  2. More information about the Creative Higher Education Strategy Taskforce can be viewed on the GuildHE website.
  3. GuildHE is an officially recognised representative body for UK Higher Education, championing distinction and diversity in the sector. Our members are small and large, rural and urban, practice-based and online, publicly and privately funded. The diversity of our membership enables us a unique and valuable perspective into the challenges and opportunities within, and for, the sector at any given time. 
  4. GuildHE members are renowned for their practical, industry-relevant education, research and innovation - which meet critical skills needs for the twenty-first century, while making a significant contribution to regional growth, industry development and the national economy. As an organisation, we lead the charge for a dynamic and future-focused sector comprising a variety of institutional types to ensure the opportunities and success we know underpin its strength. We empower members to drive progress and shape a better future.