About Us

Connecting the Creative, Digital & Tech Economy across the East Midlands

COLLECTIVE. connects and amplifies the creative, digital and tech community across the East Midlands. We bring together the people and ideas shaping the region's creative future.

Our Purpose

Make the creative, digital and tech economy more visible, more connected and more confident across the East Midlands.

Connection

Knowledge

Opportunity

What We Do

We bring people together to explore ideas, share knowledge and build new connections across the region.

Make the Region Visible

Showcase talent, ideas and work happening across the East Midlands creative, digital and tech sector. From businesses and researchers to institutions and innovators.

Share Practical Knowledge

From AI and immersive technology to sustainability, accessibility and new ways of working. Content shaped by real practice, not sales pitches.

Build Confident Connections

Create the conditions for collaboration, experimentation and opportunity. Turning conversations into relationships that last.

See COLLECTIVE. in Action

Experience the energy and connections that happen at our events.

Founder & Host

Tamily Cookson

Director, Barbican Creative Hub Lincoln & Founder, CDI COLLECTIVE. CIC

Tamily is a creative industries leader and strategist with more than a decade of experience shaping places, programmes and communities that help creativity and innovation thrive.

Her work bridges culture, digital innovation and economic development, bringing together people and ideas to spark collaboration, confidence and change.

Our Story

COLLECTIVE. began as a pilot project in 2024, funded by Nottingham Trent University. The goal was to bring together creative, digital and tech professionals across the East Midlands to learn from each other, share opportunities and build visibility for the region's talent.

The response was immediate. Hundreds of creatives joined the events, forging new collaborations, partnerships and friendships.

What started as a series of conversations became a movement, and now continues independently as CDI COLLECTIVE. CIC, connecting creative thinkers, makers and doers across the region.

We believe that creativity drives progress, both economically and socially, and that the best ideas come from working together.

Find Us

COLLECTIVE. events happen across the East Midlands

Nottinghamshire

Events across Nottingham, Mansfield, Rushcliffe & Newark

Derbyshire

Events across Derby, Chesterfield and Derbyshire

Ready to Join?

Become part of the COLLECTIVE. community. Attend an event, meet amazing people, and grow together.

View Upcoming Events Partner With Us