An "inspirational" creative business champion is to leave her role after 21 years at the helm.

Jane Sutherland is to leave Creative Kernow after 21 years championing the creative sector and supporting the development of arts-based businesses.

As Director of the Cultivator programme, a sector-specific intervention for creative businesses and entrepreneurs across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Jane and her team of creative business advisors have provided support to over 1,500 businesses and individual practitioners over the last seven years.

This huge network of businesses includes film makers, jewellers, ceramicists, dancers, artists, galleries, designers, software and games developers, writers, poets, musicians, performers and theatre companies.

Cultivator has also supported museums and heritage organisations. Strands of activity have included business advice, access to funding, export opportunities, a creative leadership training and a graduate start up programme.

It has also delivered mentoring skills development, networking and showcasing events for creative businesses.

Artist Naomi Frears who both benefited from the programme and contributed as a mentor to emerging practitioners said, “Jane has been an inspirational leader in the creative sector championing the specific needs of a wide range of established and emerging disciplines. She has particularly represented the voices of the freelance community who are the life blood of Cornwall’s creativity.”

Managed by Creative Kernow and delivered in partnership with University of Plymouth, Cornwall College, Real Ideas and Cornwall Council, Cultivator was funded through the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund, Arts Council England and Cornwall Council.

With the end of EU funding, Creative Kernow is undertaking a rapid research and development phase to establish priority needs for one of Cornwall’s high growth sectors and bidding for funding to preserve the legacy of the programme which closes on 31st December 31.

“Business support is an essential element of our investment in Cornwall’s creative ecosystem,” Creative Kernow’s Chief Executive Dr Fiona Wotton said, “and we are determined to build on the nationally significant impact of the Cultivator programme particularly the exceptional collaborative networks that have been built through Jane’s dedicated approach to business development”.

Creative businesses can contribute to the demand research by responding to a survey here: https://bit.ly/CKBizsupport

Jane is leaving Creative Kernow to pursue her own creative practice and talents.

Her achievements were celebrated at a small party for current and former members of Creative Kernow staff. See picture attached. Picture caption: .