NW Vision and Media named region's industry representative

The UK industry body, Northwest Vision and Media, has been named the sole organisation to support and promote the creative and digital businesses in the region.

The group will help businesses find support and funding, develop skills and training programmes and encourage collaboration as well as represent the creative industry at regional and national level. NW Vision and Media has been given an additional GBP 3 million in funding to carry out its role until 2012.

"Our creative and digital industries are big success stories for the UK and are growing increasingly crucial to the North West as MediaCityUK becomes a reality," commented Andy Burnham, secretary of state for culture, media and sport.

"We need to make sure they continue to flourish at regional and national level and the work of an organisation such as NW Vision and Media will be crucial in doing this. I would like to wish NW Vision and Media every success with their important new, wider role.”

Steve Morrison, Chair of NW Vision and Media, added: "We are absolutely delighted to become the strategic authority that will lead, support and promote all the creative and digital industries in the Northwest."

"This is a tremendous opportunity to help galvanise the rich array of creative and entrepreneurial talent in our region. I would like to thank the Executive Team and all the staff at Northwest Vision and Media and the leadership of the NWDA for their backing in making this happen."