Stan McCoy remarks at the Labour Party Conference

On Monday 23rd of September at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, MPA EMEA President & Managing Director Stan McCoy joined actor and filmmaker Andy Serkis on the panel “Growing the UK as an International Hub for Film and Television Production.” The panel, part of the Cultural and Creative Industries Pavilion, attracted over 100 attendees, including industry representatives, local politicians, councils, and Labour delegates. The session was moderated by Caroline Norbury, CEO of Creative UK.

During the discussion, McCoy highlighted the UK’s favorable legislative framework, which has established the country as a world-class production hub. He emphasized the significant investments made by MPA member companies in facilities and productions across the UK, reinforcing the importance of production incentives in maintaining this status. McCoy also spoke about the Labour Party’s plans to transform the Apprenticeship Levy into a Skills and Growth Levy, a move he welcomed as essential for fostering the local talent needed to sustain future growth in the sector.

Addressing the role of emerging technologies, McCoy discussed the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a driver of job creation within the industry, rather than a threat to employment. He called for thoughtful integration of AI, seeing it as an opportunity to expand the industry’s capabilities while ensuring that the workforce is not left behind. The panel received coverage across various UK media outlets, further amplifying the key messages shared at the event.