Creative UK has appointed former diplomat Emily Cloke as its new Chief Executive.
Cloke was the UK’s Consul General in Los Angeles from 2020-2024, where she championed the UK’s creative industries.
Since 2024, Cloke has worked as a senior civil servant in the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade.
She was formerly Deputy CEO for the UK-Africa Investment Summit, and has held specialist senior roles in UK Government, across trade, business, and international sectors. Cloke has also served as a Senior Policy Adviser for UK Government Investments.
Cloke will take up the new post in early May 2026. The current CEO, Caroline Norbury, announced last year that she planned to leave. Norbury will depart at the end of March 2026. In the interim, Creative UK will be led by Managing Director, Laura Turner Laing.
Creative UK advocates for the creative industries at national and local government level, investing directly in creative businesses, and providing business growth support through regional programmes.
Catherine Mallyon, Chair of Creative UK, said: “I am thrilled that Emily will be leading Creative UK through its next exciting chapter. A strategic and collaborative leader, Emily’s expertise across the creative industries, diplomacy, policy, and trade mean she is ideally placed to further our goals of increased investment and support for an ever more diverse, sustainable, and thriving cultural and creative sector.
“Together we will work to extend the impact of Creative UK’s first five years – which saw us invest £31m into creative business, support over 5,200 creative SMEs, and represent 1,500 members.”
Cloke said: “The Creative Industries is a jewel in the UK’s crown – worth £125bn to the economy and underpinned by incredible talent. From advertising to architecture, fashion to film – the sector is a growth driver, which is prime for even more investment on the back of the Industrial Strategy. Creative UK’s convening power, networks and track record all lay a solid foundation for us to keep advocating for the growth of the sector – and I look forward to working with partners, Catherine, and the board, and the organisation’s talented team, to continue this important work.”
The UK government recently announced £380m in funding to support innovation, access to finance, R&D, skills, and regional growth across the UK as part of its Creative Industries Sector Plan. Discover more here.
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