Design Business Association announces new Board Directors

The new Directors appointed to the DBA’s Board are:

Aileen Geraghty, Managing Director, 999 Design London

Vicky Bullen, CEO, Coley Porter Bell

Nanna Ulrich Gudum, Vice President, Design, LEGO Group (co-opted to Board in October 2016 and formerly appointed at AGM)

The Directors reappointed to the DBA’s Board are:

Jim Thompson, MD, 20.20 and DBA President

Erika Clegg, Founder, Spring

Jeremy Lindley, Global Design Director, Diageo

Details of the full Board can be found here. 

Against an unparalleled backdrop of political and economic challenges as the UK moves towards its exit from the EU, the government must continue to grow its recognition of the vital role the UK design industry plays in our nation’s competitiveness.

British design is not only world leading, but is also central to the economy, helping to drive innovation and improve productivity. The design economy alone contributes 7.2 percent to the total UK economy and currently employs more than 1.5 million people. Design impacts all sectors of the economy and touches every aspect of our lives through the products and services we use.

For the future prosperity of the UK and ongoing growth of the design industry, the DBA is focused on securing support and recognition for the sector in the government’s long-term plans so that design is rightly seen as a major contributor to the British economy in its own right, as well as a driver for growth in terms of both commercialising innovation and manufacturing.

Says DBA CEO Deborah Dawton, “This is a vital time for our industry, which presents both opportunity and challenges. Our highly experienced and dynamic Board of Directors, drawn from leading design consultancies and design-driven businesses, play a fundamental role in developing the strategy by which the DBA will continue to drive design ever further up the agenda in business and government over the coming years, as well as developing the frameworks by which we can support the industry to keep pace with change as the sector grows its influence and impact. We are delighted to welcome our new Board Directors whose extensive experience will be vital in this important, industry shaping work.”

Aileen Geraghty, MD 999 Design London

“The impact of design on business has never felt more relevant – it’s the lifeblood that helps differentiate – so let’s use these difficult times to drive it up the agenda and convert the unconverted. I’m looking forward to the journey.”

Vicky Bullen, CEO Coley Porter Bell

“As we head towards Brexit the DBA will play a key role in helping our industry face into the path of change, and with 30 years in the industry, I am looking forward to bringing my experiences of adapting and changing to the table. The battle for talent will also continue to intensify – we need to attract and keep great talent. The DBA is a strong voice to government and is uniquely positioned to emphasise the need for funding and support to ensure our industry continues to thrive.”

Nanna Ulrich Gudum, Vice President Design LEGO Group

“During my 20 years at LEGO, my focus has been on attracting and retaining international design talent and building a strong innovative team with a global creative mindset – experience I believe to be highly relevant to the DBA membership in growing their own businesses at this time of change for the UK, and which I am happy to share with the DBA network.”