Speech – UK–India Creative Circle (UKICC)
Dr R. Sri Ram, Founder and Chair
Thank you, Babita Sharma, for your kind and generous introduction.
Our ambitions for the UK–India Creative Circle are bold and forward-thinking. We aim to create tangible opportunities — not only for leading creative powerhouses, but also for emerging startups, innovators, and risk-takers.
The UK remains one of the world’s most exciting ecosystems for creativity and entrepreneurship — and when paired with the dynamism of India, the world’s fastest-growing large economy, the possibilities are truly exciting.
Creativity isn’t just about beauty — it’s about solving problems, easing pain, and offering new ways to see the world.
In the new world of AI, there is enormous potential for both the UK and India to collaborate and innovate.
The UK has long been a global beacon for creativity. From our world-class museums and theatres to the institutions that nurture fashion designers, architects, actors, and artists, our cultural influence continues to inspire the world.
India — where I was born — is a land where creativity runs deep in everyday life. From the intricate art of handloom weaving to the global reach of Bollywood, from Ayurveda to architecture, from classical dance to cutting-edge design — India’s creative contribution is ancient in roots, but relevant for today.
The Vision
I see the UKICC as a Banyan Tree — a symbol of life, growth, and connection.
With deep roots and wide-reaching branches, it provides shelter, strength, and space to grow. That’s what we aspire to be — a gathering place where ideas are nurtured, partnerships formed, and creativity flourishes.
We invite creative professionals, entrepreneurs, designers, and thinkers to join us — to share ideas, to partner with us, and to help shape this circle of creativity, trade, and trust.
Acknowledgements
It is a privilege and an honour to serve this country I call home, especially at a moment of such opportunity.
Minister Bryant — I’m deeply grateful to your Department for its support.
Rupert Daniels has made a excellent — his vision and guidance over these past months have been pivotal.
This idea began a few years ago, when, with Rupert’s help, Jamila and I led a delegation of creative SMEs to Chennai and Pondicherry, where I have a manufacturing facility. It was an astounding success — we clinched over ten deals for UK and Indian businesses, many of which continue to blossom today.
We later took another delegation to Cannes, where, during a fireside chat with Mr. Thabet Musleh — CEO of Qatar Duty Free and a senior leader at Qatar Airways — we secured several British brands to sell their products in Qatar Duty Free. What would normally take years happened in a single day, thanks to Thabet’s decisiveness and belief in the UK’s creative talent. For that, the UKICC is deeply grateful.
Tonight would not have been possible without the creative leadership and constant support of Jaspreet Chandok, the Head of Fashion Week in India who’s vision to ensure India’s positioning in the UK and for true collaboration make the next few days so exciting.
I also want to thank Ameeta from the UK DBT.
About the UKICC
The UK–India Creative Circle is a not-for-profit, industry-led platform designed to drive economic growth across the creative industries of both nations.
It’s about unlocking opportunity — harnessing the extraordinary talent of our artists, designers, filmmakers, and innovators — and turning creativity into commercial success.
Through trade missions, events, and strategic partnerships, we’re building a dynamic corridor of collaboration between the UK and India.
This is a platform built by industry, for industry — a bridge between government and business, designed to shape policy, open markets, and fuel growth across key creative sectors: fashion, film, music, design, advertising, architecture, and video games.
Tonight is exceptionally special as I will soon invite the UKICC Advisory Board to be welcomed on stage. But before I do that, I want to extend a personal and heartfelt thank you to Manish Malhotra who I have so much warmth, respect and admiration for. Tonight Mr Malhotra stands here as the inaugural Global Ambassador for the UKICC. A powerhouse within costume and fashion for not only Bollywood but globally. He and his team, and our wider teams backstage across production, lighting, sound, tailoring, hair and makeup have worked relentlessly to ensure that tonight is a first for you all, here at the RAC.
Ladies and Gentleman please give a warm round of applause for Manish Malhotra.
The UKICC is about representation, and I’m proud to introduce the inaugural UKICC Advisory Board — outstanding industry leaders whose insight will help shape our strategy and ensure meaningful impact.
- Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Institute of British Architects
- Helen Brocklebank, CEO, Walpole
- Anthea Peers, President, EMEA, Christie’s,
- Tim Marlow OBE, Chief Executive, Design Museum
- Samantha Cohen CVO, OBE, CEO, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
The UK Department for Business & Trade and trade will be represented by one of its officials in any board meeting in the following order
- Ruper Daniels, Director, Services and Skills at Department for Business and Trade
- Jamila Saidi, Global Head of Digital Commerce, Culture & Lifestyle, UK Department for Business & Trade
- Ameeta Virk MBE, Creative Services, UK Department for Business & Trade
Shared Growth and Opportunity
The creative sector presents a fascinating balance of strengths.
In the UK, it contributes around £125 billion and employs 2.4 million people.
In India, it generates around £25 billion but employs some 40 million — around 8% of the working population.
This asymmetry presents a powerful opportunity for collaboration — to share knowledge, scale talent, and increase revenues and employment for both nations.
Closing
As we stand at this exciting crossroads of creativity and commerce, let us build bridges that inspire, empower, and endure.
Together, we can make the UK–India Creative Circle a living testament to the power of imagination and partnership.
Thank you.
