DTI recruits Sorrell’s successor

The Department of Trade and Industry has started its trawl for candidates to take over from Design Council chairman John Sorrell, when he steps down at the end of the year.

The DTI is working with Sorrell and Design Council chief executive Andrew Summers to find a successor to Sorrell, who took over the post in October 1993. “We are starting discussions (with the DTI),” says Summers.

According to Summers, the appointment is “a Government decision”, involving Trade Secretary Stephen Byers. He says the team is “looking for a candidate to champion good and effective design, with a business focus, rather than a Government focus”.

Sorrell, who was nominated for the job by the then Tory design minister Baroness Denton, was responsible for creating a blueprint for change for the council, transforming it to a streamlined organisation with clear objectives to become a catalyst between Government, industry and design.

Under his chairmanship, it has been involved with Government on several high profile ventures, including the Creative Workshops to evolve ideas for changing perceptions of Britain and the Millennium Products, and has advised the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on an identity programme spearheaded by Mike Dempsey of CDT Design.

It has also moved to award-winning premises situated in London’s Bow Street, designed by Ben Kelly Design.