Newcastle-under-Lyme selects Aninver for creative industries strategy

International consultancy Aninver Development Partners has secured its first contract in the UK. The firm will supply a strategic plan to boost creative industries, culture, and local economic growth to the Borough Council of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Since its launch in 2012, Aninver Development Partner has worked on more than 125 projects in over 65 countries, on five continents. Following investment from IMC Worldwide in 2019, and its owners DT Global since 2022, the firm has gone from strength to strength.

Its team has deep expertise in key sectors: construction, infrastructure, energy, public-private partnerships, real estate, tourism and hotels, technology and knowledge platforms, entrepreneurship, and private sector development, among others. This has attracted clients like the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank in developing countries, alongside private groups such as Netflix and IKEA. By 2021, Aninver also ranked third in number of consulting contracts awarded by the African Development Bank according to the specialized portal Development Aid and has the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank as some of its main clients.

Now, Spain-headquartered Aninver has announced the award of its first project in the UK, marking an exciting expansion of its work in the cultural and creative industries sector. It has been commissioned by the Borough Council of Newcastle-under-Lyme to design and deliver a Strategic Creative Industries and Action Plan Solution that will help unlock the Borough’s creative potential, drive innovation, and strengthen its cultural ecosystem.

“We’re proud to support Newcastle-under-Lyme in shaping a dynamic and inclusive creative industries strategy. Culture is not just an expression of identity – it’s a driver of innovation, resilience, and economic opportunity,” said José de la Maza, managing partner at Aninver.

Cultural development strategy

The Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme is a local government district with borough status in Staffordshire, England. Its cultural sector has recently been in the local press, amid pressures resulting from Brexit, austerity and competition for space. In September, this saw The Rigger arts space warn that a new development proposed by Aspire Housing to build 63 flats would lead to "inevitable conflict" between future residents and the venue over noise, which could threaten its ability to trade.

As Newcastle-under-Lyme looks to balance its commitment to affordable housing with encouraging the town’s important cultural economy, Aninver’s project runs from September 2025 to February 2026. It will see the consultancy collaborate closely with the Borough Council to combine economic development, social impact, and cultural innovation, positioning Newcastle-under-Lyme as a forward-thinking, creative, and inclusive borough. The corresponding design will include a structured and actionable strategy covering six central pillars.

Supporting the creative industries, the firm will seek to develop a delivery plan that identifies priority sectors, partnerships, and investment opportunities to strengthen Newcastle-under-Lyme’s creative economy. This will include the creation of a “gaming hub” to tap into one of the UK’s most dynamic creative sectors

The consultancy will work to help the diversification of the region’s cultural offer. This will see Aninver expand opportunities across arts and heritage sectors, fostering a more diverse workforce and engaging broader audiences through inclusive programmes and events.

It will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, by supporting the evolution of the cultural service. Aninver will work to promote innovative and entrepreneurial initiatives, enabling creative talent to thrive and generate new business opportunities.

Cultural placemaking will see Aninver use cultural elements strategically to enhance the attractiveness of the Borough as a place to live, work, and invest, reinforcing its identity and sense of place.

In terms of health, well-being, and social impact, Aninver will work to highlight the role of cultural activities in improving community cohesion, mental health, and well-being—an especially critical objective in the post-pandemic context.

And it will work to foster skill-building and employment opportunities through cultural events and festivals. Leaving a lasting legacy of social mobility, this will create pathways for young people and underserved groups to access careers in creative sectors.