Small Design Firms Are Vital: A Lesson from the UK Creative Industries Sector Plan

Big brands may get the media visibility and trade organization support, but microbusinesses and independent studios are the creative force quietly shaping the future of design. That’s not just our opinion at Schwilliamz Creative Consultants, it’s the basis for a comprehensive policy plan in the UK.

In The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy (2025)[1], the UK Department for Business & Trade (“DBT”) details a 10-year plan to increase business investment and grow the industries of the future. Integral to this strategy, the DBT asserts, are the 8 sectors[2] with the greatest growth potential over the next decade and a critical role to play in supporting economic security and resilience, net zero and regional growth.  

👉 Of particular relevance to the footwear industry is the Creative Industries Sector Plan, which outlines a bold vision for creative-led economic growth. Among its central themes? That micro and small businesses (SMEs) and freelance creators are vital contributors and essential infrastructure in a globally competitive creative economy.

Recognizing that most UK businesses in these sectors are small or micro-sized, the DBT’s plan sets out how to best support and help these firms scale and thrive. In short, it’s a blueprint for how the UK can build a more resilient, innovative, and equitable economy by backing high-impact sectors that serve as engines of both economic and societal transformation.

Creative Industries = Interconnected Ecosystem

The paper describes the UK’s creative sector as an “interconnected ecosystem” where disciplines like fashion, design, architecture, software, and crafts enable growth in high-profile sub-sectors like film, gaming, and advertising. The UK’s goal: double investment in the sector by 2035 and become a global leader in creative innovation.

That ecosystem analogy applies far beyond Britain. It mirrors what we’ve seen firsthand in the footwear world, where high-impact design studios, independent developers, and freelance specialists often drive the innovation big brands rely on.

Why Footwear Microbusinesses Deserve More Attention

In both the UK and US, the creative economy is powered by small, agile firms. In footwear, this includes consultancies like ours who provide critical design strategy, product innovation, and technical know-how for both startups and global players.

Micro and small businesses may not be members of large trade lobbies, show up in the trade journals, or frequent the industry tradeshows. But our work shows up and excels in the market.

As the UK plan emphasizes, microbusinesses deserve investment, support, and recognition. Without them, the larger creative ecosystem falters.

A Call for Smarter Investment in Design Innovation

Whether in the UK or US, footwear and fashion policy tends to favor large companies. But the truth is creative micro studios often deliver faster innovation, deeper specialization, and cross-disciplinary insight that can’t be matched by internal teams alone.

The UK’s investment in creative R&D and IP-backed funding models could serve as a blueprint for other countries. Let’s hope it inspires similar momentum in the US footwear sector, where nimble design consultancies have quietly powered product pipelines for decades.

How We Help

At Schwilliamz, we’re proud to be part of this creative engine. Since 2003, we’ve advised and collaborated with clients around the world to design category-leading footwear across every major segment. We provide strategic footwear design and development services tailored to the modern landscape, combining global experience with technical expertise to help brands stay ahead.

If you’re building something bold and need expert design insight from a team that’s scaled brands, built bestsellers, and worked quietly behind the scenes on products that moved markets, let’s talk. Our micro-consulting sessions are a smart way to explore options and uncover what’s possible, without a major commitment up front.

👉 Schedule a complimentary consultation.
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[1]https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68595e56db8e139f95652dc6/industrial_strategy_policy_paper.pdf

[2] The eight sectors are: Creative Industries, Advanced Manufacturing, Green Industries (Net Zero sector), Life Sciences, Digital Technologies, Construction, Transport, and Agri-Tech (Agricultural Technologies).