The Creative Sectors of the UK & India
The UK-India Creative Circle (UKICC) is a new initiative to strengthen collaboration and commercial ties between the UK and Indian creative sectors.
The UK-India Creative Circle (UKICC) is a new initiative to strengthen collaboration and commercial ties between the UK and Indian creative sectors.
About the UK-India Creative Circle
The UK-India Creative Circle is a not-for-profit.
Supported by the UK Department for Business & Trade, the UKICC will engage with businesses and organisations to unlock joint opportunities across both countries’ creative industries.
The aim of the UKICC is to grow the contributions of the creative sectors of both economies (UK and India), through cross-country trade initiatives, whilst highlighting the immense talents of artists, designers, craftspeople, filmmakers, and creatives from both communities through a series of trade initiatives, events, and missions.
©AJITH S | Unsplash
On 2nd June 2025, during SXSW London at UK House, the UKICC initiative was announced, and Dr. R. Sri Ram was named the Founder, and Chair of the initiative.
The UK-India Creative Circle Advisory Board and Inaugural Global Ambassador were announced at the UKICC Diwali Party on 3rd November 2025 at the Royal Automobile Club, London.
Read about our upcoming event here.
©Herry Lawford | Wikimedia Commons CC
UKICC LAUNCH
Dr. R Sri Ram, hosted a spectacular Diwali party and fashion show in collaboration with UKICC Inaugural Ambassador, renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra, supported by the UK Department for Business & Trade at the Royal Automobile Club, London. Following a traditional lighting ceremony, welcome speeches were made by Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State, Department for Business & Trade, and the announcement of the UK Advisory Board. Guests included leaders from across the creative sectors of the UK, and influential voices of the South Asian community. The night followed with dinner and dancing.
Manish Malhotra, Fashion Designer and UKICC Ambassador and his models
©Dave Benett | Gettyimages
Smruti Sriram OBE & Manish Malhotra
Gurinder Chadha & Dr. R. Sri Ram
Saim Ali & Juliet Mayhew
Dame Zandra Lindsay Rhodes DBE
Maxwell Newman, Martha Newman & Paul Heir
Sarover Kaur Aujla & Shabaz Says
Dr. R. Sri Ram, Smruti Sriram OBE, Rupert Daniels & Ameeta Virk MBE
Smruti Sriram, Sapna Rao & Saroop
Smruti Sriram OBE & Manish Malhotra
Gurinder Chadha & Dr. R. Sri Ram
Saim Ali & Juliet Mayhew
Dame Zandra Lindsay Rhodes DBE
Maxwell Newman, Martha Newman & Paul Heir
Sarover Kaur Aujla & Shabaz Says
Dr. R. Sri Ram, Smruti Sriram OBE, Rupert Daniels & Ameeta Virk MBE
Smruti Sriram, Sapna Rao & Saroop
Mission and Core Objectives
Grounded in its mission to take a considered, strategic, and commercially relevant approach, the UKICC aims to strengthen trade and investment between the UK and India’s creative sectors. Its core objectives are to:
Watch Dr. R. Sri Ram’s Speech, Founder and Chair of UK India Creative Circle, at Diwali Event 2025
Drive Growth
©Helena Richards | The Oxford Girl
Catalyse trade and investment across the UK-India creative industries and unlock new opportunities.
Convene Influential Voices
©Gabriel Varaljay | Unsplash
Bring together leaders from business, government, and the arts to exchange ideas and inspire innovation.
Deepen Industry Collaboration
©Hadynyah | Gettyimages
Forge partnerships that unite the creative and innovative strengths of both the UK and India.
©AXP Photography | Pexels
©Jonny Gios | Unsplash