Design Council and BCC announce partnership to promote the value of design

The Design Council and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have announced a new partnership that will see the two organisations working together to promote the value of design to UK businesses.

In a move specifically aimed at helping businesses survive the recession, the partnership will provide practical ways to help the 100,000 companies in the BCC network to use design to become more innovative and competitive. The partnership will also collaborate to promote a wider message nationally and internationally about the importance of design to the business sector.

The partnership aims to:

• Campaign to raise awareness of the importance and value of design in making the UK more competitive and creative.
• Collaborate on the development of specific initiatives which will offer practical support to businesses through the BCC network.
• Explore further opportunities for joint-working and avenues for communicating the shared principles throughout the UK and internationally.

David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The future of the UK economy is dependent on the dynamism and effectiveness of our private sector. By helping businesses make informed decisions about the power of design and the potential competitive advantage it can bring, we will help them through the recession and gain long-term commercial benefits."

David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council, said: "This is all about designing out of a downturn. Companies that invested in design and R&D during the last recession re-invented themselves and came out stronger. This new partnership with the Chambers stands to help the thousands of UK firms that represent our economic future, with the opportunity to harness the practical power of UK design."