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DCMS – What do we do?

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport supports culture, arts, media, sport, tourism and civil society across every part of England — recognising the UK’s world-leading position in these areas and the importance of these sectors in contributing so much to our economy, way of life and our reputation around the world.

From museums and galleries, to cinemas, theatres, radio, TV and newspapers, from charities to sports pitches and youth clubs, we reach into every community. We save and protect our country’s heritage, our art and treasures. We help bring back medals – and pride.

Our sectors and our work has a dedicated voice around the Cabinet table – reaffirming the importance of our cultural, creative and sports sectors in growing our economy, enriching national life and ensuring the UK’s position on the world stage as a creative powerhouse – and a great place to visit. 

We have an exciting agenda ahead delivered by colleagues who strive for the best, seek to work as one, learn and grow and act with kindness. We are a great place to work – and will use this new chapter to create the best possible version of DCMS.

Our Priority Outcomes

Outcome 1

To drive growth across all our sectors, including creative industries and tourism, and support them in levelling up our local economies.

Outcome 2

To Create opportunity for young people and enrich communities, alongside our arm’s-length bodies and charities sector, by increasing participation in, and expanding access to, grassroots sports, arts and heritage, libraries and youth services.

Outcome 3

To showcase the UK to the world and boost our global reputation by delivering major cultural and sporting events across the country.

Outcome 4

To deliver reforms to make our world class media sector fit for the 21st century, make the UK the safest place in the world to gamble, and protect the excellence and financial sustainability of English football, putting fans at the heart of clubs.

Three (3) woman in a meeting together. One woman is lip-reading.

DCMS is divided into 2 Director General groups which both focus on different areas of the department. The first is our Strategic Operations Group headed up by Director General Sam Lister and the second is our Policy group headed up by Director Generals Polly Payne and Ruth Hannant

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Two (2) colleagues with less-visible disabilities sitting on comfortable chairs, discussing a project together.

DCMS works in some of the most exciting and creative policy areas in Government and for the future of the UK. We play a vital role in the development and delivery of government policy across the arts, creative industries, media, tourism, civil society and sport.

Policy Group is split up into the following Directorates which each cover their own unique policy area;

  • Civil Society & Youth
  • Culture & Creative Industries
  • Cultural Diplomacy, Loand and Visitor Economy
  • Media & International
  • Sport & Gambling

Our Strategic Operations group is the corporate function side of the business. The work that we do supports both our people and the wider department to deliver on its strategic objectives

Three (3) colleagues with less-visible disabilities standing by a window and chatting together.

Strategic Operations is split into the following Directorates which each have their own individual responsibility to the wider department;

  • Analysis
  • Chief Scientific Advisor
  • Commercial
  • Communications
  • Corporate Strategy and Private Office
  • Finance
  • Digital, Data & Technology
  • People & Workplace
  • Project Delivery & Major Events
  • Legal

For more information about who DCMS are and what we do, please click below to visit the following pages;

Diversity and Inclusion at DCMS
Working for DCMS
What to expect when applying for DCMS