The team at Amazon’s Dunfermline fulfilment centre enjoyed a celebratory event recently at Glen Pavillion to mark the company’s busiest trading period.
Hundreds of Amazon employees gathered to mark the successful completion of ‘peak’ – the weeks leading up to Christmas when customer orders reach their highest levels of the year.
The festive shopping period sees Amazon welcome thousands of seasonal colleagues across its UK operations network, all working alongside permanent team members to ensure packages arrive on time for customers nationwide.
The post-peak celebration has become an annual tradition, giving teams the opportunity to come together and reflect on their collective achievements.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “While many businesses are quietening down for the holidays, our teams come together to deliver for our customers locally and around the UK.
“This celebration is our way of saying thank you to every single person who played their part in making Christmas special for our customers.
“It’s been fantastic to bring everyone together to celebrate what we’ve accomplished as a team, and I’m excited about what we’ll achieve together in 2026.”
Christina Watson, an Amazon employee who attended the celebration, said: “The party was a great way to celebrate everything we accomplished together during our busiest time of year.
“There’s a real sense of camaraderie here, and it’s brilliant to work alongside such a dedicated team. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of 2026 brings.”
An apprentice from Dunfermline who works at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in the city is encouraging others to become an apprentice and pursue their dream career during Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026 (2-6 March 2026).
Laura Doyle from Dunfermline is taking part in the Amazon Apprenticeship programme and is sharing her story to encourage others to consider an apprenticeship.
Laura lives in Dunfermline and works as a Training Coordinator at the local Amazon fulfilment centre. Laura is completing a CIPD Level 5 in Learning and Development Consultancy apprenticeship with Amazon, and is due to finish in the coming months after starting the programme 18 months ago.
Laura’s journey to Amazon was far from conventional. After leaving university, where she’d wanted to be a history teacher but found it wasn’t for her, she went into nightclubs and hospitality. She loved it and had no plans to change her career path until COVID happened and clubs closed. She took a Monday to Friday office job, thinking she’d “be a grownup now,” but lasted only three months.
She joined Amazon in 2020 with no expectations. As she puts it: “To be honest, I had no plans of being at Amazon for long. I said I would last two weeks until I found a new job and then those two weeks became a month.
“And then I thought I’d see out Christmas as I was on a temporary contract. Then I thought I’d stay a little longer, so it looked good on my CV. And that was five years ago.”
Laura started off quiet and shy, not wanting to make friends because it was “just a job.” But when Amazon asked her to become an instructor, she fell in love with training. She found a lot of similarities between managing teams in a nightclub and training new people.
When a Learning and Development position came up, she went for it despite feeling unqualified, taking her nightclub experience and running with it.
She said: “When you look at education in a workplace, we’re dealing with effectively six generations of people now, because as the retirement age increases and you have 18-year-olds coming into work, their learning requirements are totally different.
“Attention spans and engagement styles also vary across age groups. My job is to keep all those people engaged.”
“At Amazon, you deal with so many different people,” Laura continued. “After a few months with Amazon, I thought I could do better than just ticking career boxes here. I really love people. People are great.
“And I think doing the apprenticeship and being a trainer, you get to meet so many people and then see them do a very similar journey to me and get to watch them take those steps. I want to make sure that if they want to, they can take those steps.”
The apprenticeship is delivered online with seven other Amazon employees, with three away days at different Amazon sites including locations in London and Manchester, plus monthly calls and upskill sessions. Laura particularly values meeting people from different sites and seeing other areas of the business.
What Laura loves most about working at Amazon is the people. “The people make this place so good. There’s a lot of good teamwork.”
The most important thing she’s learnt at Amazon is the ability to change and be adaptable to circumstances: “The ability to remain calm and focus on your goal is a lifelong skill that I’ll really take away from this.”
Laura’s advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is straightforward: “Go for it. I say it’s hard work – don’t be delusional and think it’s going to be a walk in the park. But overall, it’s probably one of the best things that you can do at Amazon.”
She’s already convinced one person to start the apprenticeship journey, and it’s been rewarding to watch them progress.
Laura’s journey from nightclub manager to learning and development professional demonstrates that apprenticeships aren’t just about gaining qualifications. They’re about discovering your calling in unexpected places and developing the skills to help others find theirs.
The Amazon Apprenticeship programme is recognised as one of the UK’s top three apprenticeship schemes by the Government’s Department for Education.
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can also take advantage of the Amazon Supported Internship programme. Launched in 2021, the initiative combines classroom learning with practical work experience; helping interns develop essential skills in English, Maths, and CV writing, while gaining hands-on experience across three operational job functions.
Pay at Amazon starts from £13.95 or £14.96 per hour depending on location, equating to between £29,037 and £31,116 annually. Additionally, from day one, all employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, and an employee discount.
Together, these benefits are worth more than £700 annually, and employees can take advantage of a company pension plan.
Applications are now open for Amazon’s apprenticeship programme.
The team from Amazon in Dunfermline has been preparing for the Christmas shopping season with a calendar full of festive celebrations.
A visit from Santa and his reindeer, hot chocolate giveaways and crafts with Mrs Claus are just some of the activities taking place at the Dunfermline fulfilment centre to support the work the Amazon team is doing to deliver for customers across the UK this Christmas.
Speaking on the festivities, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “Throughout December, our team picks, packs and ships parcels for customers nationwide.
“It’s an exciting time on site as we work together to ensure everything runs smoothly, safely and efficiently to deliver gifts and essentials during the festive period.
Christina Watson took part in the celebrations on site. She added: “The end of the year is always an exciting time at Amazon in Dunfermline.
“When we kickstart party season, you never know what festive surprises await – competitions, games, activities and more!”
The children of Amazon employees in Dunfermline are one step closer to becoming lifesavers after taking part in a special first aid and CPR training session at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline.
The mini medics course welcomed 23 Amazon employees and their children for a fun and interactive session that introduced them to essential first aid skills, learning how to check for danger and practising CPR techniques.
Mini Medics is a basic first aid course designed for children between the ages of seven and 16. The course introduces children to health knowledge, lifesaving skills and administering first aid.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, said: “First aid and CPR are important skills for young people to have and I’m pleased that our mini medics course has been so popular with our employees and their families.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to our colleague, Anna, for facilitating the training for our team.”
Anna Soltysiak, an associate at Amazon in Dunfermline who led the training, added: “The children who attended our mini medics events were enthusiastic and keen learners. I had a great time teaching them about first aid.
“It’s important for young people to have basic medical skills, as it may one day help save a life.”
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need.
The Multibank network has now donated more than 12 million surplus goods to over 800,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham. This year, the Multibank will send 1 million orders to families across the UK.
Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.
When customers purchase two qualifying products on Amazon.co.uk, a third item will be donated to The Multibank charity automatically at no additional charge.
The You buy. We donate. programme runs until to 12 November, supporting The Big House Multibank in Fife.
The Multibank charity was launched four years ago this month (November) as a pilot by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, The Cottage Family Centre in Kirkcaldy, Amazon’s Dunfermline Fulfilment Centre and other Fife businesses to redistribute surplus household goods to people in need.
There are now six Multibanks across the UK which have provided more than 12 million essential items to over 800,000 different families nationwide since the piloting of the charity in Fife began.
You buy. We donate. launches as research reveals nearly one in five adults in the Scotland have concerns about affording basic hygiene essentials in the months ahead.
You buy. We donate. aims to generate more than 200,000 product donations for families across the UK.
Amazon has teamed up with some of the country’s leading household brands like Colgate, Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena and Sanex to deliver more than 200,000 vital hygiene products for families in Scotland and around the UK who are struggling to make ends meet.
The products are being distributed to families in Scotland by The Big House Multibank charity as part of the latest Amazon You buy. We donate. campaign.
Until 12 November, Amazon and its supplier partners will donate a third item to The Multibank charity for every two qualifying products customers buy on Amazon, with no extra cost involved. Customers simply need to visit this page on Amazon to take part.
The products will be distributed to families in Scotland by The Big House Multibank, part of a national network of charities whose President is former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown helped set-up The Multibank with The Cottage Family Centre charity and local businesses including Amazon’s Fulfilment Centre in Dunfermline, after he saw firsthand the severe poverty and deprivation affecting his local community in Fife, Scotland. Six Multibanks now operate across the UK, having provided more than 12 million essential items to over 800,000 different families nationwide to date.
The You buy. We donate. campaign follows research commissioned earlier this year by Amazon shows that a fifth (19%) of adults in Scotland have worries about affording basic hygiene products like toothpaste, soap or laundry detergent over the coming months. The findings also revealed that almost one in ten adults (7%) in Scotland have cut back on or skipped buying hygiene essentials altogether.
Eugenie Teasley, Head of Impact, Amazon UK, said: “Our customers were overwhelmingly supportive of our first You buy. We donate. campaign earlier this year and as winter draws closer and families face increasingly difficult times, we wanted to team up once again with our partners in support of The Multibank in Scotland and across the UK.
The You buy. We donate. campaign offers Amazon customers the opportunity to make a huge difference to the lives of families in need while buying their everyday essential items.
“Everyone at Amazon is looking forward to donating these important products to Multibanks across the UK, helping people in need access essential products.”
Taken: 27th November 2020
Amazon Peak Fun : MME1 Darlington:
Grant Barnes, Warehouse Manager at The Big House, added:“The You buy. We donate campaign has been invaluable to The Big House Multibank.
“The goods provided tend to be amongst our most “in demand” items, so the support to receive hygiene products cannot be understated, strengthening our partnership with Amazon to support families across Scotland.”
Brands participating in ‘You buy. We donate’ include Colgate, Sanex, Palmolive, Listerine, Neutrogena, Johnson & Johnson, Johnson Baby, Aveeno and Aveeno Baby, Mama Bear, OGX and by Amazon.
Transport logistics specialists Palletline will provide free logistics support, handling the storage and distribution of donations to Multibank hubs across the UK, with Amazon providing additional transportation routes.
THE latest Amazon Economic Impact Report shows that Amazon has invested over £3.7 billion in Scotland since 2010. These figures are taken from the updated Amazon Economic Impact Hub, documenting Amazon’s investments in Scotland and throughout the UK over the past 15 years.
The 2025 Amazon UK Economic Impact Hub features comprehensive data covering employment opportunities Amazon has generated across the region and the scope of economic activity driven by its investments.
Key findings from the 2025 Amazon Economic Impact Report include:
Amazon has invested over £3.7 billion in Scotland and more than £2.8 billion in Eastern Scotland since 2010.
This investment led to the production of goods and services that contributed an estimated £3 billion to Scotland’s GDP since 2010.
Over 520 people in Scotland have successfully completed Amazon’s career development and skills training initiatives since 2010.
More than 90 apprentices from Scotland have graduated through the Amazon Apprenticeship programme since 2010.
Since 2010, Amazon has created over 3,000 full and part-time employment opportunities across Scotland.
“Amazon is committed to strengthening the regional economy and supporting the broader Scottish community through strategic investments, employment creation, charitable contributions and community engagement initiatives,” said Jamie Strain, General Manager from Amazon in Dunfermline.
“As we maintain our commitment to regional economic development, we’re enhancing our partnerships with community organisations throughout Dunfermline.
“In 2025 so far, our team has collaborated with many organisations including Scot Baby Box Appeal, Fife Gingerbread and Cardenden Primary School through volunteer engagement, product contributions and direct financial assistance.
“We look forward to expanding our community support initiatives in the months ahead as we continue serving customers, sellers and communities.”
Amazon recently announced plans to invest £40 billion in the UK over the next three years (2025-2027). This investment includes building four new fulfilment centres and new delivery stations nationwide, as well as upgrades and expansions to its existing network of over 100 operations buildings across the country.
The investment will create thousands of new permanent, full-time jobs in the UK, with the vast majority outside of London and the South East. These include 2,000 jobs at the previously announced state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in Hull and 2,000 jobs at another in Northampton, plus additional positions at new sites in the East Midlands and at delivery stations across the country.
As a top 10 private sector employer, Amazon already employs over 75,000 people in the UK, providing roles of all kinds, at all levels, across every region of the country.
Amazon pays full-time employees a minimum of £28,000 per year (£30,000 in London), and will create over 60 different roles at the new sites, including positions for robotics technicians, safety experts, and mechatronic engineers.
A trip to the world-famous Space Needle, lunch in Pike Place Market and a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture are just three of the experiences enjoyed by Stuart Penny from Dunfermline after he had a once in a lifetime trip to the US.
Stuart, who works at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, took part in the week-long trip with 17 Amazon colleagues from across the UK and Ireland as part of a programme called I Found the Right Place.
I Found the Right Place is open to Amazon employees in the UK and Ireland and asks the simple question – ‘what makes Amazon the right place for you?’. Employees are invited to talk about why they love working at Amazon and the best stories are selected by a judging panel, with the finalists taking delivery of a boarding pass for the trip of a lifetime.
More than 2,000 Amazon employees submitted their story as part of the campaign and Stuart was selected by the judges as one of 18 people who boarded the plane to Seattle.
Stuart and his colleagues had an action-packed week in Seattle, where they toured Amazon’s global headquarters, saw the latest Amazon technology during a fulfilment centre tour and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city’s Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture and more.
Stuart Penny
“After 35 years with my previous employer, I joined Amazon at 57 seeking a fresh start and it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Now as I turn 61, I’ve found purpose, pride, and community through training, safety roles, and a workplace that values everyone, no matter their background or age. I never want to retire – I’m having way too much fun!”
Stuart Penny is from Dunfermline and works at the Amazon fulfilment centre in the city. He works in the customer returns department, and as an instructor training new employees. After spending most of his childhood in Lusaka, Zambia, where his father worked building schools, he returned to the UK at the age of seven. He said:
“I came back to go to Strathallan, a boarding school in Perth. I owe a lot to the quality of teaching I received there. Now that I’m lucky enough to train people beginning their careers at Amazon, I take much inspiration from my schoolteachers that taught me how to be an eloquent and productive member of society.”
Before joining Amazon in 2020, Stuart worked for 35 years in sales at Andrew Thomson in Dunfermline. Due to the pandemic, the company closed, and Stuart was left without a job. He says:
“I just knew I needed to find a job. I was offered a six-month position by a different company, but I decided to take a risk and turn it down for a role at Amazon instead. People thought I wouldn’t like working here, but they couldn’t have been more wrong! I secured a permanent position after around eight months and decided then to become a trainer.”
Stuart’s career journey and love for his role at Amazon inspired the judges to give him a seat on the plane to Seattle. He explains:
“I can’t describe how much I love training. It’s like I have a fire inside me, and I want to take that and give it to each person I train. My role in sales gave me so many transferable skills that I can now use as a trainer, because I am essentially selling myself, selling the system and selling the process. It brings me a real buzz to see people I’ve trained able to get on with the job at hand – that means I’ve done my job properly.”
Stuart’s love for his job spurred him to submit his story to the I Found the Right Place judges. After a week in Seattle, he looks back on when he got the news he was going on the trip:
“I found out I was going to Seattle on Friday 13th, which I thought was funny. I couldn’t believe I had been chosen to go. When I finally got to tell everyone at work, they were so delighted for me. I was most excited to tell my 94-year-old mother. She was so proud of me and assured me my dad would be ever so proud, too.”
Stuart got to see and experience a lot when he was in Seattle, but what was his highlight of the trip?
“It’s been an honour and a privilege to meet my colleagues from around the UK who joined me on the trip, and everyone at Amazon in Seattle. Every last person on this trip has the spark and belief in ourselves, and a real belief in Amazon. We are all proof that there are so many opportunities with Amazon to learn and grow. I intend to stay with Amazon as a trainer for a very long time.”
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, added: “Stuart is a much-loved member of the team here at Amazon in Dunfermline and we were so pleased when we found out he was off to Seattle. We’re proud to have him represent our team on the trip and I hope he had a brilliant time. I Found the Right Place is one of the many programmes we run here at Amazon to show our appreciation for the colleagues that deliver smiles for our customers every day.”
Amazon employees receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. The minimum starting pay for frontline operations employees is between £13.50 and £14.50 p/h, depending on location. For those with 36 months service, this is £13.75 and £14.75p/h, depending on location. This equates to an annual starting salary of between £28,080 and £30,160, depending on location, for full-time frontline employees across the country.
Amazon has invested £550m in increased pay for operations employees across the UK since 2022, representing a 35% increase in the hourly rate in just two years. Additionally, from day one, all employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidized meals and an employee discount. Together, these benefits are worth more than £700 annually, and employees can take advantage of Amazon’s company pension plan.
Amazon employees can also take part in Amazon’s Career Choice programme, which covers up to 100% of tuition and fees for courses in high-demand fields, regardless of whether the participant proceeds to pursue a career at Amazon.
Amazon has been named as a ‘Top Employer UK 2025’ by the Top Employer Institute, for the second year in a row, one of the world’s most prestigious certifications in the field of human resources management. This award recognises Amazon’s commitment to the development and well-being of its employees. In addition to the UK accolade, Amazon has also been certified as one of the Top Employers in Europe for a third consecutive year.
In 2025, Amazon ranked in second place on LinkedIn’s Top Companies list — an annual list that identifies the most sought-after large companies to work for and grow your career in the UK. Using data from LinkedIn’s 900 million members, LinkedIn’s Top Companies list is designed to help professionals identify the best companies to grow their careers.
A group of employees from Amazon’s fulfilment centre have visited seven schools across Dunfermline to host sustainability workshops for pupils.
The workshops were hosted at Commercial Primary School, St Margaret’s RC Primary School, McLean Primary School, Masterton Primary School, Milesmark Primary School and Carnegie Primary School.
These schools provide inclusive, supportive learning environments where pupils are encouraged to thrive academically and emotionally, preparing them for future success.
41 employees from the sustainability team at Amazon in Dunfermline lead recycling workshops, sharing their tips, tricks and skills for creating a sustainable environment with the pupils. The Amazon team also planted seeds in school gardens and created scavenger hunts for the pupils.
Natasha Blyth is an employee at Amazon in Dunfermline who visited the schools. She said: “I really appreciate the opportunities Amazon gives us to volunteer.The more we raise awareness around sustainability, the more chance we have for our children to live in a clean, healthy environment.”
Eleanor English, from Masterton Primary School, added: “Thank you to the team from Amazon in Dunfermline for giving their time to raise awareness on sustainability.
“The staff and pupils absolutely loved sprucing up the garden area with our new plants. The support from Amazon is greatly appreciated by all of us at Masterton Primary School – thanks again!”
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need. The Multibank network has now donated more than 8 million surplus goods to over 600,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham.
Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.
Two charities in Fife were welcomed to Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline to gain fresh ideas and practical support to help develop their logistics and operations.
The event, organised by Pilotlight, brought together Fife Gingerbread and Big House Multibank with the team at Amazon in Dunfermline. Pilotlight is an organisation that connects business experts with charities to help deliver greater social impact.
More than 30 Amazon employees from Dunfermline took part in a day of collaborative problem-solving sessions. The charities shared some of the challenges they’re currently facing and Amazon employees worked in teams to come up with practical, strategic solutions, drawing on their professional skills and experience.
Kirsten Harrower, an Amazon employee who took part in the event, said: “It was an amazing experience to apply our skills in support of two incredible charities that do so much for our community.
“It felt great to be part of something that can make a real difference.”
Jamie Strain, General Manager from Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “We’re proud to support Fife Gingerbread and Big House Multibank and events like this are a great way to use the skills of our team to give back.
“We’re committed to playing a positive role in the communities where we live and work.”
Linsey Proctor, from Fife Gingerbread, said: “We’re grateful to the Amazon team for giving their time and energy and for continuing to strengthen their relationship with us.
“The ideas shared will help us shape our future plans and move forward with confidence.”
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.
Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need. The Multibank network has now donated more than 8 million surplus goods to over 600,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham.
Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.
Amazon launches the Regional Creatives Fund, offering multiple grants of up to £30,000 for charities in Edinburgh and around the UK which focus on upskilling people for careers in creative industries.
Grants are available for charities in Edinburgh which run programmes aimed at boosting skills and increasing access to creative industry careers in gaming, publishing, fashion, film, advertising, TV, and music.
The fund is open for applications today from single charitable organisations and consortiums in Edinburgh and across the UK. Applications close on 31st August 2025.
Amazon today launches the Regional Creatives Fund, offering grants of up to £30,000 to UK charities that develop creative industry career pathways.
The Regional Creatives Fund is open to organisations in Edinburgh and across the UK that help underserved communities access careers in publishing, music, gaming, film, TV, fashion, advertising, and more.
The aim of the Regional Creatives Fund, which aligns with the Government’s recently announced Creative Places Growth Fund, is to increase access to careers in the creative industries for people from underserved communities.
The fund is open for applications from single charitable organisations and consortiums based in the same region that are currently running impactful skills projects and are seeking additional funding to scale, sustain, or innovate their efforts.
Applications for up to £30,000 can be made by individual organisations that meet eligibility criteria, while consortium applications for up to £100,000 are also available. Regional Creatives Fund grants will give charities with existing creative upskilling programmes the flexibility to address their most pressing needs.
Applications are open for small to mid-size organisations who are registered charities in the UK[2]. Applicants must currently be running a programme that focuses on upskilling people from underserved communities for careers in creative industries.
Increasing access to creative industries
Creative Access, the UK’s leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries, defines underserved communities as a population proven to be under-represented in the sector.
A study from The Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility charity, shows that many people, particularly those who identify as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, continue to face significant barriers to entering and progressing in the UK’s creative industries.
Research released by The Sutton Trust found that younger adults from working-class backgrounds are four times less likely to work in the creative industries compared to their middle-class peers. Data from Arts Council England shows only 9% of the creative workforce identifies as disabled, compared to 22% of the general working-age population.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the fund will be used to expand or continue an existing, impactful programme. Examples of programmes that a Regional Creatives Fund grant can be used for include funding for placements in game development studios, music production training, and portfolio development for future advertising creatives.
Grants will be awarded by an independent judging panel. The panel includes senior leaders from Amazon, The National Theatre, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Help Musicians, and Music Minds Matter.
Funding applications will be assessed across five key areas. Strong proposals will reflect the fund’s spirit with energy, optimism, and a clear creative purpose; deliver real impact through skills, access, and industry links; show a smart, achievable plan with confident delivery; centre inclusion by amplifying underrepresented voices; and build on existing programmes to grow what’s already working.
More information on the judging criteria is available here.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want every young person to have the opportunity to build a successful career within the creative industries, which is one of this country’s greatest assets.
“Whether it’s in film, TV, gaming, fashion or music, we have so much homegrown talent and I am delighted that the Regional Creatives Fund will help shine a spotlight on that right across the country helping people contribute to our national story.
“Alongside our Creative Industries Sector Plan this new fund will help to support growth in these fast-growing sectors by preparing the next generation of creatives to tell our national story on the world stage.”
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee and RCF Board Member added: “The creative industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, but for too long access to careers in this sector have been limited by social and economic barriers.
“Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund is exactly the kind of initiative we need – offering substantial grants and practical support to help level the playing field.
“By supporting local charities with both funding and industry expertise, this programme will help unlock creative talent across our communities and ensure the UK’s creative sectors truly reflect the diversity of our society.”
“Amazon has been a passionate supporter of creative industries in the UK for many years and the Regional Creatives Fund will supercharge that support in Edinburgh and across the country,” added Paul Firth, Director, Global Music Industry, Amazon Music.
“The aim of the Regional Creatives Fund is to help charities amplify the reach of existing programmes that support pathways to careers in the creative industries. We understand talent is everywhere, but access isn’t, and we’re working to change that. Through the Regional Creatives Fund, we want to help create a future where creativity belongs to everyone.”
Amazon has invested over £4.2 billion in the UK’s creative industries since 2010, with over 2,000 people permanently working across our Film and TV, music and audio, books and publishing, fashion, and gaming businesses, and supporting 16,000 additional jobs.
Amazon’s creative industries footprint extends across the entire UK: from acquiring the historic Bray Film Studios in Berkshire last year, which will house the production of the next season of Citadel; to the long-term contract with Shepperton Studios for exclusive use of new state-of-the-art production facilities at the Surrey studios where The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is currently filming; Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock in Wales; Harlan Coben’s Lazarus in Manchester; productions at First Stage Studios and Leigh Studios in Edinburgh; and multiple productions on location in and around London such as the live action movie Masters of the Universe.
The Amazon Literary Partnership has been awarding grants to inspiring non-profit literary organisations, writing centres and community engagement programmes groups since it was first launched in the UK six years ago.
While each has a different focus, all have a shared goal of uplifting and offering opportunities to aspiring writers at any stage of their creative journey, and empowering those from underrepresented communities to experience and contribute to the magic of storytelling through the written word.
Amazon Music is committed to expanding access to UK music talent through a series of targeted initiatives. Partnerships with organizations including the BRIT Trust, Amplify, and the Association for Independent Music support new creative professionals entering the industry.
The Step-Up Fund, a collaboration with the Featured Artists Coalition, will launch its fourth year in 2025. This fund provides financial support to emerging independent artists by offering development grants.
Since its inception, Step-Up has distributed £250,000 to more than 30 UK musicians, including both bands and solo artists across multiple genres. These grants enable artists to fund new recordings, touring costs, marketing campaigns, PR activities, video production, and content creation.
As part of its global strategy to shape a more inclusive audio-storytelling industry, Audible is partnering with multiple institutions in the UK to support creative development programmes, from funding scholarships and classes at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA), to sponsoring the Barbican Young Poets Program and Women’s Prize for Fiction Discoveries Programme.
To find out more about the Regional Creatives Fund, visit:
