A creative network is celebrating its 10th birthday with an event promoting the growing influence of creative industries in Kirklees.
Huddersfield-based Wilson’s Republic CIC holds events twice a year and the next, on Thursday October 23, will be the biggest yet and feature several high profile speakers.
The day-time conference – called WRXL.Routes – will be held at Bates Mill in Queen Street South in Huddersfield town centre. It will be followed by an after-party with live bands at the new Amped venue in Zetland Street, previously BrewDog.
There’s a full line-up of speakers and the theme of the event is Routes, aimed at showing pathways to success for creatives.
A previous conference had Roots as its theme, celebrating where people came from.
Wilson’s Republic was set up in 2015 by Darren Evans and Aidan Nolan to bring together creatives from across Kirklees.
The biggest event held by Wilson’s Republic so far came in 2017 for its WRConf attended by 180 people.
One of the speakers was Huddersfield-born James Sommerville, co-founder of global design agency ATTIK. James (below) started the agency in his grandmother’s attic in Paddock.
The 10th anniversary event will be Wilson’s Republic’s biggest yet with 250 tickets selling fast.
Kirklees has a vibrant and eclectic creative sector which contributes £250 million to the regional economy, employing some 9,400 people.
An impact report in 2024 found that there were 1,698 active cultural and creative businesses in Kirklees including 691 start-ups since 2021.
Darren said: “The creative industry in Kirklees is resilient, diverse and growing and we want to turn the spotlight on this increasingly important sector.
“The nature of the industry in general is that creatives are often freelances who work alone or in small collaborations and we want to bring all these amazing people together in one place.
“It’s a celebration for the 10th anniversary of Wilson’s Republic but it’s also an opportunity to get together, support eachother and share ideas and experiences.
“We’re going to hear some industry high achievers tell how they got where they are and hopefully that can help inspire the next generation of creative businesses to thrive and grow.”
The after party, hosted by Kirklees Most Wanted, will feature performers including Therealdemo, Good Good Blood, Hannah Rowe and Don Gonzo.
Wilson’s Republic also runs Creative Bubbles which are small peer support groups of just five people aimed at those in the creative industries who want something different to traditional networking. The next cohort is open now.
Wilson’s Republic takes its name from one of Huddersfield’s most famous sons, Harold Wilson, who was Prime Minister in the 1960s and 1970s.
Tickets cost £35 for the day and night event (£30 for day only) and £10 for the evening tickets.
For more information see www.wilsonsrepublic.com or to buy tickets go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wrxl-routes-tickets-1612148482509?aff=oddtdtcreator
