Trade promoter posted at DBA

The Design Business Association is to get a Department of Trade and Industry export promoter on secondment to co-ordinate export services for DBA members.

Jane Claridge, who has worked in the DTI’s market intelligence unit and currently looks after export promotion to West Africa, will join the DBA at the end of January for a minimum of six months. Her salary will continue to be paid by the DTI.

One of Claridge’s responsibilities will be to help organise a DTI-sponsored delegation to the Medical Design and Manufacturing trade show being held in New York in June.

Other markets and services to help members export will also come within Claridge’s area of responsibility.

“The DBA plans to increase its services to cover major world markets, and Jane’s contact with DTI promoters and knowledge of the services available in these areas will be especially valuable,” says DBA chief executive Ian Rowland-Hill. “Being married to a designer, she is familiar with our sector and the business issues involved,” he adds.

This is the first time the DBA has had a secondee from the DTI.