Sir George Cox, Chairman of the Design Council, today welcomed the publication of Race to the Top, Lord Sainsbury’s independent Treasury Review on science and innovation policies.
He said: 'I'm delighted to see ideas developed by the Design Council being taken forward in this review.'
'While we have a great research base in this country, we fall behind our competitors when it comes to exploiting new ideas and taking them to market.'
'The best UK universities are working hard to bring their faculties closer to business, connecting local SMEs and start-ups to higher education research facilities. But these proposals will help to transform the potential to turn ideas in to marketable products, something the UK has to do more of if we want to stay competitive in the global economy.'
'If we want the UK to become known across the world as Innovation Island, then allying design skills to the UK’s scientific base in this way is the best way forward.'
For more information please contact Saskia Sissons at the Design Council on 020 7420 5248 or 07773 768 073 or email
saskia.sissons@designcouncil.org.uk
- The Design Council is the UK’s national strategic body for design. It aims to strengthen and support the economy and society by demonstrating and promoting the vital role of design in making businesses more competitive and public services more effective. www.designcouncil.org.uk
- The Design Council has worked with the Technology Policy Alliance, a joint coalition of leading industry and education organisations with interests spanning the entire science and innovation 'eco system'. Over the last year this coalition has tackled specific aspects of the UK science and innovation agenda and has taken a strategic view on the challenges that lie ahead and the opportunities for the UK to respond and maintain competitive advantage.
- The Alliance which as set up by the Design Council, includes representatives from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), the manufacturers' organisation EEF, the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), the University of Cambridge and UNICO, the University Companies Association.
- The Design Council’s Innovate programme, part of Designing Demand, its unique change programme for SMEs that is being rolled out nationwide, has proven how important design can be to small tech companies seeking to bring their products and services to market. www.designingdemand.org.uk/