Josie Gamble has been successfully chosen as one of The Telegraph NatWest 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch, for the work she has done with the Christian Creative Directory (CCD) and the Christian Creative Network (CCN).  

Christian Creative Directory, launched in 2021, connects Christian creatives with businesses, churches and charities who need them. Christian Creative Network, launched in 2017, is a national network of local branches, connecting and encouraging local Christian creatives.

Living and working in Wolverhampton, Josie has also worked with Love Black Country to help bring together Christian creatives across the Black Country as well as helping to head up the amazing ‘Creative Zone’ at Together Festival 22.

Recognition of the entrepreneurial work she has done to help Christian creatives connect with each other and job opportunities is the reason she has been recognised by The Telegraph in this way.

“I’m delighted to be chosen,” explains Josie. “Not only to be recognised as an entrepreneur but that they had recognised a Christian project. CCN & CCD gaining national media coverage will be amazing, not only because The Telegraph is a massive platform, but because it is the secular marketplace.”

As part of the award, Josie will be invited to a Parliamentary Reception with the other finalists, to celebrate and showcase the “the high potential women owned businesses in the UK.” She will also be invited as a guest of honour to The Telegraph’s Women Mean Business Conference at the British Museum.  

As for the future, Josie has big dreams.

“I’d love to host Christian creative recognition awards in the future, as well as having 50+ CCN branches in the UK and have thousands of creatives listed on the directory. But all of that is to see a strengthening of the creative culture in the UK church,” Josie explains.

And why does she believe creativity needs to be championed in the church today?

“I believe creativity is one of the most influential tools available to the church today, and yet one of the most undervalued and overlooked. However, we are seeing a renaissance, a renewed interest, in the church today, which makes it a very exciting time to be a Christian creative.”

The complete Telegraph Natwest 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch list will be officially announced on November 18^th, followed by a dedicated eight-page supplement in the newspaper on November 19^th.  The list will include information about what the Christian Creative Directory and Christian Creative Network does, as well as it it’s plans for future development.