Internationally renowned creative business leaders met in London, UK last night to drive forward an ambitious new programme to support and develop the global creative economy.

Creative business leaders from countries around the world, including the United Arab Emirates, India, the US and China, also signed up as ambassadors for  Creativity and Business International Network (c&binet) and will help shape and drive the development of this international creative business conference. The event helped maximise the contribution of the creative industries to the wider world economy and was one of the flagship initiatives announced in the government's creative economy strategy, 'Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy'.

The 23 c&binet ambassadors are international leaders in their respective sectors, and convened last night for the first time. The ambassadors' experience and expertise helped inform c&binet's focus and provide invaluable insight to the design of the inaugural event which will take place at The Grove in Hertfordshire from 26 – 28 October 2009.

They have been drawn from a wide range of sectors including advertising, architecture, art and antiques, crafts, design, fashion, film and video, games, music, performing arts, publishing, software and television and radio.

In the UK, the creative industries make a major contribution to the economy, employing over two million people and contributing £60 billion a year.  The last decade has seen the UK's creative industries grow at twice the rate of the wider economy.

"Britain's creative industries are an incredible success story but current global economic challenges mean we can't take future growth for granted. In the face of growing international competition, government support for key sectors becomes increasingly important,'' said culture secretary Andy Burnham.

"C&binet has given global leaders an unprecedented forum to debate the opportunities as well as the pressures that are common for innovative businesses. I welcome the commitment shown by the ambassadors to develop an agenda that truly reflects the future challenges facing the creative industries. The involvement of these influential and successful individuals, with their extensive experience of global business will undoubtedly help with our ambition that this will, in time, become one of the most significant and relevant events in the international business calendar, a Davos for the creative industries."

Last night's event saw c&binet ambassadors meet for the first time at an event hosted by Secretary of State Andy Burnham, and moderated by Newsnight Review presenter, Martha Kearney. The dinner was held in Liverpool (European Capital of Culture 2008) and looked to address the key challenges and opportunities facing the creative industries and the ways in which c&binet will help tackle them.

Themes explored included:

Convergence: The similarities between the different sectors as well as their shared challenges and opportunities;

The economy: The impact of the credit crunch on creative business and how the world is being reshaped around new demand and supply dynamics;
Connections: The new models and opportunities for collaboration between different sectors and the ways government and the investment community can support them;

Talent: The issues around managing and identifying talent. How can talent on an international scale be unlocked as part of c&binet's wider social mission

''Abu Dhabi is an extraordinarily enabling and entrepreneurial city which is developing rapidly to become a creative hub for the Middle East and beyond. With the addition of twofour54, a media content 'ecosystem', providing training, facilitation and job creation, Abu Dhabi hopes, like the c&binet initiative, to make a key contribution to creative industries in the Arab Region and ultimately the world," Tony Orsten of twofour54 Abu Dhabi and a c&binet ambassador, said.
 
"C&binet is the right opportunity and environment for a like-minded groups or people to ask themselves questions critical to the future – about talent, about innovation in distribution and delivery, about creative businesses, which are increasingly global, and about value systems which respect and protect intellectual property."

C&binet is being managed as a not-for-profit initiative. DCMS is the initiator and founding funder, said Lucian Grainge of Universal Music, a c&binet ambassador.

DCMS is the UK government department that aims to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities, supporting the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries in the UK. DCMS is responsible for government policy on the arts, sport, the national lottery, tourism, libraries, museums and galleries, broadcasting, creative industries including film and the music industry, press freedom and regulation, licensing, gambling and the historic environment. DCMS are the department responsible for 2012 Olympic Games & Paralympic Games.

The ambassadors are:

Nicholas Coleridge, MD Conde Nast UK/ VP International: As well as running one of the world's most important magazine publishers, Nicholas chaired the British Fashion Council 1999-2004, overseeing London Fashion Week and Chairing the Fashion Rocks event.  A six-times best-selling author.

Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO, Universal Music Group International: One of the most influential people in the music industry, Lucian is pioneering innovative distribution models with an unprecedented range of technology partners, to bring music and artists such as Amy Winehouse, U2 and Duffy to global audiences beyond measure.

Andy Duncan, CEO, Channel 4: C4 has successfully embraced the digital age, creating powerful new brands, including E4, More4, 4Music and Film4. It has expanded into radio and interactive services as well as being a key partner in the Freeview.

Chris Clarke, founder and CEO Nitro: Runs a leading international advertising agency, with its roots in China and a major profile in the US and the UK.

Jatin Das, artist: Celebrated Indian artist with an international profile. He co-founded the JD Centre of Art in India.

Jocelyn Stevenson, creative director TT Animation: Former CCO of leading UK company HIT (home of Bob the Builder), Jocelyn works for the creator of the hugely popular Lego Star Wars video game series. She is also a BAFTA Judge, organiser of TV industry event Showcommotion and made her name with Jim Henson's production company.

Ian Findlay, director of M&A and corporate advisory, Ariadne Capital: Ariadne invests in fast growing new media businesses, backed by 50 leading entrepreneurs. Ian joined from Emap, where he was responsible for deals totaling £4.5 billion.

Lorna Tilbian, executive director, Numis Corporation Plc: Top-rated city analyst. She sits on the board of one of the city's leading institutions.

Peter Molyneux, creative director, Lionhead Studios: Lauded as one of the world's most brilliant and inventive game developers, Molyneux is responsible for well known games such as Dungeon Keeper, Populous, and Black & White. In 2006, he sold his company to Microsoft.

Phil Redmond, CBE and deputy chair of Liverpool Capital of Culture:  Charismatic creator of Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks and champion of Liverpool Capital of Culture.

Spencer Hyman, COO LastFM: LastFM transformed the global music industry, marrying social networking and music to create one of the leading UK media brands. It was sold to CBS for $280m in 2007.

Tony Orsten, CEO twofour54: Leads a huge investment by Abu Dhabi to create a media hub for the Middle East. He has attracted brands, including the BBC, Harper Collins, CNN and The FT.  A BAFTA winning director with 30 years in film and TV, he also helped to launch digital media company Joost.

Paul Bennett, managing partner Europe and CCO IDEO: The lead creative for one of the world's biggest design companies, employing 500 people in 8 offices worldwide. A regular speaker at TED and Davos, his clients include Nokia, Vodafone and P&G.

Laurence Green, chairman of Fallon: Heads a top global ad agency – creators of the Cadbury Gorilla among others.

Boko Inyundo, trustee of the Africa Centre: A senior media lawyer and former advertising executive with Saatchi & Saatchi, Boko serves as a trustee of London's Africa Centre.

Julia Barfield, director, Marks Barfield: One of the principal architects behind the London Eye and co-founder of a practice which has developed projects from Dubai to Innsbruck.

Nancy Tellem, president CBS Paramount Television: Responsible for content across the CBS and the CW networks, ranked 75th most powerful woman in business by Forbes.

Tom Dixon, designer: World renowned designer and co-founder of eponymous lighting and furniture company.

Charles Chao, CEO sina.com: Leads China's most important digital media company.

Tim Hincks, CEO Endemol UK: Heads UK business of world's biggest TV production company and chairs the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

David Chipperfield, Architect: Stirling prize winning architect with offices in London, Berlin and Milan and a representative office in Shanghai.

J Allard, chief experience officer and chief technology officer, entertainment and devices division, Microsoft: Responsible for the technical architecture and user experiences related to products and services of the entertainment and devices (E&D) division.

Satjiv S Chahil, Senior vice president, global marketing, PSG Hewlett-Packard Company: A veteran of the high-tech industry's most innovative companies, he's now responsible for marketing the Personal Services Group worldwide.