Innovative design needs to be at the centre of economic recovery, the Government has insisted, and has promised that forward-looking SMEs will have the chance of access to design mentoring.
To mark a special summit of business leaders and top designers, and hosted by the Department of Business, David Willetts, the Universities and Science Minister, said that design forms an integral part of the Government’s plans for innovation and growth and that it will be a prominent feature in the upcoming Research and Innovation strategy.
Mr Willetts added: “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.”
The Design Council has recently merged with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) to form an independent charity, acting as the voice for design and the built environment.
Giving his backing to the role which the Design Council plays in putting design at the heart of economic growth, Mr Willetts continued: “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.”
In line with the Government’s Plan for Growth, the Design Council is to concentrate its design mentoring product, Designing Demand, on manufacturing firms, particularly those with advanced capabilities.
Mark Prisk, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, commented on the plans to offer innovative SMEs the opportunity to take advantage of design expertise.
Mr Prisk said: “It’s great news that a number of SME manufacturing businesses will be given the chance to have free design mentoring over the next year.
“Companies must innovate and stay ahead of their rivals to be successful on a global scale. That is why we are making these crucial investments in industrial innovation.
“The announcement is just part of a range of business mentoring opportunities to help small firms grow and prosper. We will shortly be launching a new network of business mentors which will help SMEs get advice from those who know best.”
