1255 Managers and directors in the creative industries

In short

• ONS unit group 1255, in minor group 125 (Managers and proprietors in other services) and major group 1 (Managers, directors and senior officials).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £44,900 (£23.03 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £37,000 (£18.97 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Managers and directors in creative industries plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of organisations in sectors such as arts, publishing, music, media, design and architecture.

Typical entry routes

Entry requirements vary according to the specific sector. Most post holders will have relevant experience and while some fields do not require candidates to have academic qualifications others require a degree or equivalent qualification. Off and on-the-job training may be provided, and vocational qualifications are available in many of these sectors.

Tasks

• plans, organises, directs and co-ordinates the activities and resources of organisations in the creative industries, such as publishing firms, art galleries and television companies
• liaises with clients, generates new business and promotes their organisation by attending and organising conferences, exhibits and other events
• helps set the creative direction of their organisation and finds new talent, such as artists, writers and musicians, as well as pieces such as artworks, scripts and music
• keeps up to date with new releases, publications and trends in relevant fields
• establishes client's requirements and oversees the conception and development of multiple projects
• reviews and revises creative teams' work across multiple projects
• determines staffing, material, financial, and other short- and long-term needs

Related job titles

• Art gallery owner
• Artist manager
• Director (architectural service)
• Graphic design manager
• Gallery Manager
• Production manager (entertainment)
• Publisher
• Radio station manager

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

1255 Managers and directors in the creative industries

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Art gallery managers and directors
• Film and television production managers
• Publishing managers and directors
• Radio production managers
• Sport and talent agents
• Theatre production managers
• Managers and directors in the creative industries not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£44,900 (£23.03 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

1255 Managers and directors in the creative industries

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

1121, 1134, 1139, 1225, 1259, 2435, 3416

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Art gallery managers and directors
• Film and television production managers
• Publishing managers and directors
• Radio production managers
• Sport and talent agents
• Theatre production managers
• Managers and directors in the creative industries not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£37,000 (£18.97 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,900 (£13.28 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 125

• 1251 Property, housing and estate managers
• 1252 Garage managers and proprietors
• 1253 Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors
• 1254 Waste disposal and environmental services managers
• 1256 Betting shop and gambling establishment managers
• 1257 Hire services managers and proprietors
• 1258 Directors in consultancy services
• 1259 Managers and proprietors in other services n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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