University News Last updated 13 June 2012
Business champion Lord Digby Jones will launch the inaugural Birmingham Made Me Design EXPO on Friday 15June at 12.30pm as the West Midlands proudly showcases its manufacturing success stories in the face of challenging economic conditions.
A “brilliant new wave” of design talent from Birmingham is helping to drive a recession-busting regional renaissance through new wealth and job creation, says business leader Lord Jones.
Better known as Digby Jones, the former trade minister and CBI Director-General made his comments at the launch of the Birmingham City University-led celebrations to proudly mark Birmingham’s status as the ‘original design city’.
The highlight is the inaugural Birmingham Made Me Design EXPO which opens Friday 15 June, the first showcase of its kind in over one hundred years.
Great product design and innovation
Lord Jones’ views follow similar recognition from the Government’s current trade boss - Business Secretary Vince Cable who recently praised the Birmingham Made Me Design EXPO for highlighting how the West Midlands approach to innovation can inspire success worldwide.
“Fostering this spirit of design, creativity and innovation in our business cultures is central to delivering economic growth and success,” said Lord Jones.
“Working with Jaguar Land Rover, JCB and Triumph, in particular, I have witnessed first-hand the critical role that great product design and innovation at all levels in business are playing in delivering their latest success.
“It has been tremendous to see the great success of Land Rover’s new Range Rover Evoque, the response to the Jaguar’s C-X75 stunning hybrid concept car, Triumph’s expansion from 16 to 23 different models this year alone and JCB’s biggest product launch programme ever, with a total of 66 new products scheduled for launch into global markets this year.
“These businesses are recognising the value of creativity, continuous innovation and anticipating customers’ needs with new design solutions.
“Their design cultures are driving phenomenal growth. Collaboration with education and training is key to delivering future success by developing designers able to combine both creativity and practical application.
“Birmingham City University has, during its esteemed history, focused on delivering students able to combine creativity with an ability to deliver practical solutions, and this is very much the thrust at the heart of the Birmingham Made Me Design EXPO.
“I am delighted to be joining the platform with Emma Bridgewater and Simon Topman, both renowned for their focus on design and entrepreneurialism, as we launch this initiative aimed at fostering new talent through productive collaborations between education and business.”
Ministerial support
“We applaud this initiative being led by Birmingham City University and supported by leading brands including Jaguar Land Rover and AGA Rangemaster and look forward to hearing more about the work of Idea Birmingham, the think-tank behind the EXPO and Awards."
Business Secretary Vince Cable
Business Secretary Vince Cable has also applauded the work being led by Birmingham City University.
Dr Cable noted that in this celebratory year when Britain was hosting the Olympics with so much media attention focussed on the country it was important that business leader were showcasing the very best of British. He added: “We have been impressed by how closely Idea Birmingham, the group responsible for organising the Birmingham Made Me Design EXPO, has been working with the All Party think tank, Policy Connect and their work to highlight successful and innovative British Manufacturers, through ‘Made By Britain’.”