On a visit to Pinewood Studios I met with CEO Ivan Dunleavy and Communications Director Andrew Smith to talk about the creative industries and to get an update on the progress of their £200m long-term scheme to address the increasing global demand for production facilities in the UK.

Pinewood Studios UK is famous for producing some of the world’s biggest and best known films such as the James Bond and Star Wars franchises. At the world famous 007 stage I got to see how the vast production space is transformed into some of the most iconic images that we get to experience at the cinema. 

I also got to chat with a group of young people currently on the Pinewood Studios Management Diploma course who filled me in on their experiences and on how they are progressing and enjoying their experience.

Local Enterprise Partnership Chairman for Buckinghamshire Thames Valley LEP, Alex Pratt, also joined me for a chat and we got the opportunity to speak about the current issues affecting the creative industries across all regions.