One of the global TV industry’s most senior executives is set to headline this year’s Creative Cities Convention, as organisers unveil a programme focused on skills, talent and the future of production.
Wayne Garvie, President of International Production at Sony Pictures Television, will deliver the inaugural ‘Wake Up Address’ at the event, a new keynote designed to challenge assumptions and spark debate.
The convention, which takes place in Liverpool on May 6 and 7, will also feature contributions from Laura Mansfield, CEO of ScreenSkills, alongside senior figures from Screen Alliance North, who will focus on future workforce challenges and career equality across the sector.
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Meanwhile, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, best known for her role in Derry Girls, will appear on a ‘This City is Ours’ panel discussing the BBC crime drama’s journey to screen. She will be joined by writer Stephen Butchard, executive producer Rebecca Hodgson and BBC commissioner Jo McClellan.
Garvie, one of the most experienced figures in international production, is expected to give delegates a big-picture view of the industry, addressing the pressures reshaping the UK production economy and the wider global forces influencing how content is made, financed and distributed.
His keynote will draw on Sony Pictures Television’s global perspective, exploring the convergence of traditional television and digital content, the rise of creator-led and short-form models, and the need for the production sector to respond with urgency.
Garvie said: “These are changing and challenging times, precarious times for our industry. However, if we understand and embrace the opportunities of the new era, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. I look forward to delivering the Wake Up Address, provided I get out of bed on time, and hope to give everyone much to chew on.”
He joins a wider line-up of high-profile speakers including Sir Phil Redmond, Jimmy McGovern, Nicola Shindler and Jimmy Mulville.
Skills and workforce development will be a major focus throughout the programme. Mansfield will appear on the ‘Help! Finding your way in Digi-land’ panel, where she will present new data from ScreenSkills’ UK-wide Powering Production report, highlighting future skills needs and the potential impact of AI on the workforce.
Leaders from Screen Alliance North — including Lynn Saunders, Alison Gwynn, Rob Page and Caroline Cooper Charles — will also take to the stage to discuss training provision, share best practice and champion more equitable access to careers in the screen industries.
The 2026 convention will be staged at Camp and Furnace in the city’s Baltic Triangle, with this year’s theme, “Where TV Meets Digital”, exploring how storytelling and emerging technologies are converging.
A dedicated Skills Summit will also return, aimed at freelancers and emerging creatives, with practical sessions and workshops led by industry figures. It will take place at BOXPARK Liverpool.
