Global Investment Conference event to celebrate the best in British design

Chief Executive John Mathers and former Chairman Sir John Sorrell CBE on this week’s Global Investment Conference and the opportunities it affords Design Council to promote design to a global business audience.

The Global Investment Conference (GIC) held at Lancaster House on 17 September signifies the change in how design is being perceived. It’s not only those in the creative industries who are leading the charge - leaders in digital, media and technology are also setting the agenda. All of these sectors are talking about how Britain can, and must, use design to set its products and services apart in increasingly competitive global markets.

The prestigious GIC event is hosted as part of London Design Festival (19-27 September). Delivering a showcase of premiere homegrown talent, it promises to promote London’s creativity as well as draw in the country’s greatest educators, thinkers, practitioners and retailers.

Leading names from automotive, social media and sport will speak at the conference and inspire over 100 global business leaders currently shaping the growth of the UK economy. As design ambassadors, we are chairing sessions at the conference, joined by Brent Hoberman from Founders Forum and Mike McGee from Framestore.

Good design boosts productivity in business, transforms our public services and improves the places we live and work in.

Now in its fifth year, the conference reflects the government’s business agenda. It prioritises growth and productivity to attract investment from the highest calibre businesses in thriving British industries.

Good design boosts productivity in business, transforms our public services and improves the places we live and work in. By taking a user-centred and creative approach to innovation - whether at Aston Martin, Framestore or when designing the next UK Pavilion for the World Expo - design is everywhere, and vital to our development and growth. It’s crucial that the government continues to recognise this fact and invest in our design-led industries. The UK should continue to lead Europe in design education, providing essential skills, which are becoming ever more important as the digital economy grows.

This year’s conference coincides with Design Council celebrating its 70th anniversary. As design ambassadors, it is our role to share, celebrate and, most importantly, to champion the value of great British design, in the UK and internationally.