Design Business Association appoints new board directors

Design industry trade organisation The Design Business Association (DBA) has announced the appointment of three new board directors: Aileen Geraghty, managing director at 999 Design London, Coley Porter Bell chief executive officer Vicky Bullen and Lego group vice present of design Nanna Ulrich Gudum.

The three directors reappointed to the board are DBA President and 20.20 managing director Jim Thompson, Spring founder Erika Clegg and Diageo’s global design director Jeremy Lindley.

“A vital time for our industry”

DBA chief executive officer Deborah Dawton says: “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.”

Geraghty adds that “the impact of design on business has never felt more relevant,” describing design as “the lifeblood that helps differentiate”.

Prepare for Brexit

Bullen, who is also a member of WPP’s female leadership group Stella, says that the DBA will play a vital role for designers as we head towards Brexit: “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.”

The other current DBA Board of Directors members as of June 2017 are The Engine Room managing director Lesley Gulliver, Lixil Water Technology chief design officer Paul Flowers, Taxi Studio chairman Brian Mansfield, Royal Philips chief design officer Sean Carney, Skyscanner global head of design Steve ‘Buzz’ Pearce and Rufus Leonard managing director Will Rowe.