23/06/2011

Government Pledges Commitment To Design At Landmark Summit

The Government is to put design at the heart of its plans for economic growth in the UK. The commitment will be made by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts at 'Design for Growth', a high-level summit meeting of global business leaders, leading designers and Government, which is being co-hosted today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Design Council.

Design for Growth' brings together leaders in design, business, policy and education to discuss measures to stimulate growth in the economy. Among the guest speakers at the Summit is Jonathan Ive, Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple. He is joined by Ian Callum and Gerry McGovern, Design Directors at Jaguar and Land Rover and Kevin McCloud, author, broadcaster and designer.

David Willetts said: “Design forms an integral part of the Government’s plans for innovation and growth and it will be a prominent feature in our upcoming Research and Innovation strategy.

“Good design can help business to thrive and improve public services and with over 230,000 people employed in our design industry it makes a significant contribution to our economic wealth with £15 billion spent on UK design in 2009.

“It is great that Jony Ive of Apple and other world leaders in design will be at the summit to inspire the next generation British designers.”

The Summit comes within the first 100 days of the Design Council having merged with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) to become an independent charity which is the voice for design and the built environment, and the Government's advisor on design.

Voicing his support for the important ongoing role which the Design Council plays in putting design at the heart of economic growth.

David Willetts added: “The UK has a world class design sector and we need to maintain our role as a global leader which is why we have continued to support the Design Council by investing £4 million.”

'Design for Growth' takes place at the Design Council, Covent Garden and will be attended by over 150 representatives from the world of design, government and industry.

(BMcN)

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