On Wednesday 28th May, creative professionals from across Leicester came together at the Phoenix Arts Centre for the Leading Leicester: Connecting Creativity Conference, a day dedicated to strengthening the city’s creative sector through collaboration, insight-sharing, and strategic discussion.
Representing Fashion-Enter Ltd, FTA and the Fashion Hub Leicester, Creative Director, Beth Davy-Day attended the event, alongside Jo Bean, Technical Manager at the Fashion Hub, Leicester. Together, they explored how Leicester’s creative and cultural landscape is evolving and how, as a training provider and ethical manufacturer, they can contribute to its future growth.
In the afternoon, the pair participated in the roundtable discussion: “An educational and skills strategy that delivers creative talent – what do we need?” This session brought together voices from across education and training to explore the common challenges they face—from gaps in soft skills to the need for more technical pathways. The session provided the opportunity to share solutions that could shape a more inclusive and skilled workforce.
The day also showcased a wide range of breakout sessions and roundtables, covering topics such as creative networks, employability, inclusive heritage, and public engagement with the arts. Beth commented: “It was really inspiring to hear about the projects and partnerships already making a difference to the city of Leicester.”
During the conference it was also announced that Peter Chandler, currently Head of Economic Regeneration at Leicester City Council, will be taking on a new role as Director of Tourism, Culture and Economy.
As ever, it’s clear that collaboration is key. The Fashion-Enter team look forward to continuing to work closely with others across Leicester to champion creativity, empower communities, and support meaningful, skills-driven growth in the sector.