In her first major speech since taking up office, the new culture secretary Lisa Nandy told leaders in the culture, media and sport sectors: “We will have your back.”

Nandy had gathered representatives from more than 150 organisations across the creative industries, sport, media, tourism, youth services and the arts at a summit in Manchester today, 31 July.

The summit was held at the city’s Science and Industry Museum, with the venue choice highlighting the new government’s aim to widen opportunity outside London and build closer partnerships to deliver national growth over the next five years.

On these sectors’ potential, Nandy said: “I hope you can see and feel it already through the curriculum review we’ve initiated to put creative and sports opportunities back at the heart of a richer, larger life for every child.

“Through our investment in grassroots sport and our determination that the legacy of the Paris Olympics and Euro 2024 is measured not just in trophies but in choices and chances for every child wherever they live and whatever their background.

“Through our partnerships with our Mayors, Councils, Businesses and Charities to put rocket boosters under our growing industries – film and theatre, TV, fashion, video games, heritage and tourism – to take the brakes off the economy, create opportunity for every child and export our incredible talent to the world.

“And through my drive to ensure the public appointments we make truly reflect our country in all its glorious diversity. Not to fulfil a quota, but to ensure that our government draws on the creative might of all of our people.”

The culture, media and sport sectors are worth more than £170 billion in the UK, with the creative industries making up £125 billion.

Chris Bird, managing director, Prime Video UK, said: “The UK is a creative industries powerhouse with a rightly deserved reputation for producing some of the world’s greatest artists, authors, producers and technicians. Across TV, film, books, music, sport and more, Amazon has invested more than £4 billion in the Creative Industries across the UK since 2010 and we welcome the Government’s ambitions for continued growth in the sector.

“Prime Video’s reach and impact extend nationwide, with productions from The Rig and Fear in Scotland, to Mammals in Cornwall and multiple productions in the North West of the UK, and last week we announced the acquisition of the iconic Bray Studio.

“Our £10 million skills, training and education, programme, Prime Video Pathway, is designed to open up access to the arts for people from every corner of the country too. The creative industries are driving material long-term growth, creating and developing exciting and fulfilling careers, and we look forward to partnering with the Government to continue this growth and fuel the ambitions for the next generation of UK creatives.”

Andrew Georgiou, president and managing director, Warner Bros. Discovery U.K & Ireland and WBD Sports Europe, added: “Warner Bros. Discovery has a proud UK heritage – present for over 90 years, with a significant employee base which extends North to South across 5 cities. The UK is our biggest base outside of the US and, in our view, one of the best places in the world to do business.

“We remain committed to the UK and our ambition to grow and strengthen our sector. It is only in partnership that we can continue to make standout British content, support and develop British creatives, and bring the British public access to the best in film, TV, gaming, streaming, news, sport and more. We look forward to a continued and productive relationship between Government and the industry.”

Organisations with representatives at the summit included: Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Amazon Prime Video, BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky, News UK, Reach, Daily Mail General Trust, Global, Society of Editors, News Media Association, Google Play, British Cycling, Sport England, Kick It Out, Premier League, Rugby Football League, English Football League, Arts Council England, Society of London Theatres, HarperNorth, Writers’ Guild Of Great Britain, Royal Opera House, Royal Shakespeare Company, Southbank Centre, Association of British Orchestras, Creative Industries Council, Musicians’ Union, Creative UK, UK Music, National Gallery, Association of Independent Museums, Science Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Tate, British Library, Royal College of Music, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Opera, Merlin Entertainments, UK Hospitality, Visit Britain, O2 Arena, Prince’s Trust, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and the British Council. Also in attendance were regional museums such as Birmingham, Derby, Sheffield and Manchester.

You can read Nandy’s speech in full here.