Based on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of North Macedonia and the British Council, and in collaboration with UMPAKI, we are now launching our joint initiative through the Skopje Forum – Sector Consultations, an event dedicated to supporting the creative sector in defining essential priorities for the upcoming period.
During this event, sector professionals will have a chance to participate in working groups focusing on the topics of building a new identity through major cultural events (i.e. rebranding), improving communication within the sector (network building), education for creative careers, and enhancing the overall conditions for creative production.
Taking place on 25 November, the Skopje Forum – Sector Consultations will also feature UK participants selected by our implementing partner, the Beyond Conference, a leading UK platform for the creative industries. To provide context and set the stage for discussions, the event will begin with an overview of the state of play within the country's creative sector, covering current trends in its creative industries. After this, UK experts will share insights into their own work and give an overview of the creative economy in the UK, including recent trends and best practice examples.
Following this, each working group will define 10 priorities for its topic, and by the event's conclusion, we will finalise 10 overarching priorities for the sector.
Participation in the working groups is open to all, with registration available at this link.
British Council’s Creative Economy Programme in the Western Balkans
Globally, our Creative Economy programme focuses on policy, research, and advocacy of the sector, and on capacity building for creative professionals and policymakers. We build networks and support collaboration for long-term impact, mutual benefit, and greater international understanding. By working with policymakers, we support their work at a strategic level, ensuring the conditions are in place for creative individuals and organisations to grow, reach their potential and make a relevant, sustainable change.
In the Western Balkans, these goals are achieved through two main activities: sector development events and exposure to UK expertise through delegations. Our principal approach in the field is to act as a facilitator in a) particular sectors (gaming, film and music industries, design, fashion, cultural heritage creative economy…), b) intersectoral dialogues and c) policy development efforts through engaging with decision and policymakers (ministries, various relevant government and sector agencies, local authorities, chambers of commerce, and tourist organisations).
Sector development events are, by default, delivered within the existing and emerging platforms in the WB (creative economy conferences, sector-specific gatherings, and festivals). Through these events, we are supporting sector development by exposure to UK practices and participation of UK experts in relevant fields. Additionally, these events are used for sector representatives to build networks locally, regionally and with the UK, with the aim of defining sector needs on the policy level.
UK Speakers
Susan Finnegan, Commercial Director at Culture Liverpool
Susan Finnegan is an award-winning professional with over 20 years of experience in event management, destination strategy, and brand activation. As part of the leadership team behind Liverpool’s success as European Capital of Culture 2008 and Eurovision 2023 Host City, she has helped showcase the city on a global stage. Her work earned recognition with Eventex’s No.1 UK Creative Events Agency in 2019.
You’ll find Susan at the forefront of driving destination strategy and creative innovation, identifying untapped growth markets, and aligning brand equity with global trends. She has a proven track record in securing strategic global partnerships to create world-class leisure offers for Liverpool.
Key achievements include leading the creation of a new region-wide Destination Marketing Organisation for Liverpool City Region and serving as Commercial Director and Chair for the Eurovision 2023 Host City Visitor Experience. She has also been instrumental in securing high-profile events like the Bordeaux Wine Festival and steering major festivals such as Taste Liverpool. Drink Bordeaux.
Susan has been involved in a leadership capacity behind Liverpool’s largest events, including the Royal de Luxe Giant Spectacular, River of Light, and Cunard’s 175th Anniversary Celebrations, attracting millions of visitors. Her leadership extends to producing Liverpool's first digital mapping projection and managing the HUB Festival, the UK’s largest free action sports and music festival.
Organized, self-motivated, and highly personable, Susan excels at building strong teams and delivering innovative, world-class events that elevate Liverpool’s global profile.
Andy Brydon, Founder and Director of Curated Place
Andy Brydon is Creative Director and founder of international arts organisation Curated Place. A trained anthropologist specialising in Cultural Placemaking at a city, region and hyperlocal level. He is an established and experienced cultural strategist, festival and major events director as well as a seasoned curator, trainer and arts producer. Leading Creative Europe projects since 2014 he has won multiple national event awards for his work in England and Scotland. Andy has over 20 years’ experience working in a senior strategic role in arts organisations specialising in international collaboration with city development teams, visual & digital artists, performers, composers and musicians to create high-impact exhibitions and experiences that transform places.
Andy was awarded a Clore Fellowship in 2018/19.
Hayley Pepler, Head of Culture, Creative Industries and Digital Roadmap - West Midlands Combined Authority
Executive Producer and accomplished Director, Line Producer and Festival curator, with specialist expertise in the field of live broadcast, live and digital capture of arts programmes. I have recently taken up a role to drive Creative and Cultural strategy in a regional context for the West Midlands; using my extensive experience working across creative industries to bring insight and a new perspective to public sector policy for the sector. During 2023 I led the Digital strategy and output for Factory International as they ran Manchester International Festival and opened Aviva Studios. Projects included producing live arts capture featuring Maxine Peake, supporting post-production for a new film by Jenn Nkiru, and producing the BBC arts capture of Danny Boyle's Free Your Mind reimagining of The Matrix. During 2022/21 I was Head of Content & Digital Broadcast for the country's national cultural festival - the UK City of Culture. Here, I led a team of storytellers, producers, filmmakers and podcasters to build a programme of content that best reflects the extraordinary stories emerging from the City of Culture programme.
Layla Conway, Head of Education, Careers and Youth Engagement - London Legacy Development Corporation
Layla has over 20 years of experience in community, education, and youth sectors across the public, housing, and education sectors. Since joining LLDC’s regeneration directorate in 2011, she has been a driving force in connecting and engaging the communities of East London with Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Layla provides strategic leadership in developing impactful programmes that brings together park developers, universities, cultural institutions, and businesses to deliver social value. Her initiatives include East Ed, an education programme providing pathways into the Creative and Digital sectors, an annual festival that celebrates local culture and creativity, and a youth empowerment programme Elevate ensuring that that young voices shape the transformation of the Park, fostering meaningful participation at a strategic level.
