DBA unveils new logo at its AGM

The Design Business Association revealed a refreshed identity created by Roundel at its annual general meeting last week, but was unable to name its new chief executive, despite a four-month trawl to find the right candidate.

DBA chairman Paul Priestman says a decision on who will become chief executive is ‘being made now’, with a formal announcement expected in early January.

Meanwhile, Roger Battersbee will continue as acting chief executive. The position became vacant following Ian Rowland-Hill’s departure in August.

The Roundel-designed identity is described by DBA director David Worthington of Conran Design Group as a move ‘from decorative to functional’. It replaces the ‘fmcg-style’ branding created by Coley Porter Bell in 1999.

Five new directors were also appointed to the DBA board: Roundel founder John Bateson; Tom Christie-Miller, director of strategy at Design House; Ian Silverstein, Creative Action managing director, Citigate Lloyd Northover director Tom Hudspeth and interior designer Linda Morey-Smith.

The accounts for 2001, presented by DBA honorary treasurer Russell Lloyd of Seymour Powell show a surplus before tax of £28 501, compared with a deficit of £17 994 in 2000. Reserves of £73 925 were carried over to 2002.