Design Skills Initiative title is a wake-up call

Various players are upset with the title of the Design Skills Initiative Keep British Design Alive (DW 25 May).

Three things seem to me self-evident. First, the British design industry is fragmented and lacks the professionalism, processes and qualifications shown by other creative service industries. Second, any industry must evolve if it is to succeed in a world that is changing as rapidly as ours. Third, while Britain currently enjoys a reputation as one of the leading marketing service providers in the world, our global competitors are targeting us right now.

I agree that this title could be seen as defensive, but just how complacent and assumptive can we afford to be? Under the circumstances, such a title seems appropriate.

Chris Wood, Chairman, Corporate Edge, London W14