ONE North East forges link with Design Council
May 12 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal
DESIGN companies in the North East are to get the chance to win more contracts across the country.
They are expected to profit from an agreement between the Design Council and regional development agency One North East to give greater national exposure to the region’s sector.
The new agreement will open up new opportunities for North East firms, particularly through the Design Council’s unmatched networks in the capital and South East England, and give businesses, services and designers a greater national showcase for their work.
Regional organisations will also be able to work with the Design Council on early-stage projects and initiatives. It is hoped that more firms will also access the council’s regionally delivered ‘Designing Demand’ service, which helps businesses increase profits, sales and market share by using design.
David Godber, deputy chief executive of the Design Council and recently appointed member of the Design Network North Board, said: “The North East is one of the most dynamic regions when it comes to strategically promoting design and its benefits in creating better businesses and more sustainable, creative communities. The Design Council is delighted to be a partner in Design Network North and we look forward to helping it grow and thrive.”
Innovative product design and services are increasingly seen as essential to the future success of business. One North East is leading plans for a new Northern Design Centre building to be constructed in the Baltic Business Quarter, which will house Design Network North, the focus for the next generation of innovative firms sharing knowledge and exploiting opportunities to grow the design industry in the region.
The design industry is part of the wider commercial creative sector which is worth about £800m to the North East economy with the potential to create about 9,000 jobs over the next four years. Dr Simon Goon, One North East head of business investment, said: “The agreement with the Design Council is a shining example of a national strategic body formally recognising the strengths of the North East and its contribution to the national economy.”
Ben Strutt, One North East Design senior specialist, said: “Formalising this relationship through a memorandum of understanding and working action plan will increase national exposure for North East businesses and the design community, highlighting cases where design and innovative practices lie at the heart of rapid business growth.”
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