Find out more about who we are, our members and how to join.
Our vision supports creators’ vision.
We exist to promote, protect and further the interests of creators through advocacy and campaigning.
History of CRA
The Creators' Rights Alliance (CRA) is a united voice for creators, made up of the major organisations representing creators in the UK. It was formed with the aim to promote, protect and further the interests of creators through policy, advocacy and campaigning work.
In 2001 the CRA was formed from the Creators' Copyright Coalition which had started in 1995 in response to several UK publishers' challenges to freelancers' rights in their work.
The CRA’s current campaigns #PayTheCreator and Fair Terms for Creators which focuses on the seven areas of contract terms which need to be protected so that all creators, including members of the public, are protected when they sign a contract.
In 2023 the CRA was invited to become a member of the Creative Industries Council (CIC), a forum between the creative industries and government. The Council’s focus is addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s creative industries to help drive forward progress on key areas of growth for the sector, including access to finance, skills, export markets, innovation and intellectual property (IP).
Member Organisations
CRA Board Members
Chair: Nicola Solomon: Society of Authors
Derek Brazell: Association of Illustrators
Lesley Gannon: Writers Guild of Great Britain
Mike Holderness: National Union of Journalists
Colin Stuart: Independent Society of Musicians
Treasurer: Michael Sweeney: Musicians Union
Biographies
Nicola Solomon: Society of Authors
As Chief Executive of the SOA, Nicola’s role encompasses protecting authors' interests in negotiations/disputes with publishers and agents, advising individual authors and campaigning.
Nicola is an expert in the publishing industry and the associated law, from copyright and defamation, to privacy, data protection and contract. She is also a Deputy District Judge and sits on the board of the International Authors’ Forum and the British Copyright Council.
Derek Brazell: Association of Illustrators
As Publications & Membership Manager at the AOI, Derek delivers contract and licensing advice to members and works on the organisation’s campaigning for illustrators’ rights alongside a focus on AOI publications. He lectures on illustration business for universities and at international book fairs, and sits on the British Copyright Council, as well as the European Illustrators Forum.
His books with co-author Jo Davies examining illustration include Becoming A Successful Illustrator 2nd Ed. (Bloomsbury, 2017) and Understanding Illustration (2014).
Lesley Gannon: Writers Guild of Great Britain
As Deputy General Secretary, Lesley plays a key role in the negotiation and implementation of WGGB national agreements in TV, theatre, radio and film. She leads on WGGB research and policy and oversees other core areas of the union’s work. She represents WGGB in the UK and abroad, and deputises for the General Secretary.
Colin Stuart: Independent Society of Musicians
Colin is Head of External Affairs at the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), the UK’s professional body for musicians.
Mike Holderness: National Union of Journalists
Mike is a freelance writer and editor. As a trade unionist, he edits the Freelance (www.londonfreelance.org) and the National Union of Journalists Freelance Fees Guide. He is Chair of the European Federation of Journalists Authors' Rights Expert Group.
Michael Sweeney: Musicians Union
Michael is Recording & Broadcasting Official at the Musician’s Union.
CRA Articles of Association can be accessed here.