Andrew Summers CMG appointed Chair of Design Partners by the Department for Culture Media and Sport and UK Trade & Investment.

Andrew Summers CMG has been appointed Chair of design industry working group Design Partners.

Design Partners aims to increase the level of international design business by co-ordinating the activities of design industry bodies and government agencies and departments. Design Partners is an advisory group jointly hosted by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and UK Trade & Investment (previously known as Trade Partners UK part of British Trade International).

To achieve its aim, Design Partners develops policies, programmes and activities – specifically focussed on design - to help Government and specifically, UK Trade & Investment (the lead government support service for British businesses trading abroad) help new and established exporters to develop overseas trade capability and new opportunities overseas.

Martin Raven, Director Creative Industries, UK Trade & Investment states "With his background, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to direct and take forward the work of Design Partners."

Andrew Summers states "British design companies are increasingly dependent on winning business overseas. Strategic international trade development is key to their success, especially in emerging markets."

Andrew Summers is chairman of Brandsmiths and until last year was Chief Executive of the Design Council where he led major redirection of the government body promoting UK competitiveness through the best use of design by business, education and government.

Among the influential initiatives he developed were Millennium Products, Design in Business Week, Creative Britain and the Great Expectations international showcase and he was instrumental in promoting the UK around the world based on its strengths in design and innovation.

His industrial experience has spanned over 25 years mainly in the food industry, where he was Managing Director of Sharwood’s, then Managing Director of RHM Foods and most recently non-executive director of Daniels plc which owns New Covent Garden Soup.

He was previously a board member of British Trade International and now acts as an advisor to the UK government on industrial policies and to governments worldwide on design policies. He is Deputy President of the Royal Society of Arts, Senior Fellow at the Design Management Institute (USA) and was awarded the CMG in 2001 for his international promotion of design.

UK Trade & Investment News Release
18 March 2004
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
www.culture.gov.uk

Editor’s notes:

DESIGN PARTNERS is chaired by Andrew Summers. Its Industry Adviser is Christine Losecaat. Membership of the group consists of:

DESIGN
The British Design Initiative
The Design Business Association
British Design and Art Direction
The Chartered Society of Designers
The British European Design Group
Design Nation
Designersblock
British Council
Crafts Council
Design Council
Department for Culture Media & Sport
The Department of Trade and Industry
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UK Trade & Investment

UK TRADE & INVESTMENT 
UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign businesses focused on the UK as an inward investment location. It brings together the work of teams in 200 British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, UK Trade & Investment services are delivered through the 45 Business Links and other partners including Regional Development Agencies and Chambers of Commerce, coordinated by nine regional International Trade Directors. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services. UK Trade & Investment’s work ensures UK and overseas companies benefit from the organisation’s continuing commitment to provide an integrated service, delivering business opportunities through a global network. For more information visit the web site www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
 
DCMS
DCMS has lead responsibility within Government for co-ordinating and taking forward Ministerial objectives and policy for the Creative Industries. Along with other key stakeholders such as UK Trade & Investment and the British Council, DCMS champions the UK’S Creative Sector within Whitehall and the Regions – raising their profile and helping them thrive to reach their full potential at home and overseas.

For further information, please contact:

Christine Losecaat
Creative Industries Adviser
Tel: 020 8740 8788
Christine@littledipper.net

Scott McLean
UK Trade & Investment
Tel: 020 7215 8196
E:scott.mclean@uktradeinvest.gov.uk

Steven Burtrand
DCMS
Tel: 020 7211 6378
E: Steven.Burtrand@culture.gsi.gov.uk