Porter pledges to change DBA image

Incoming Design Business Association chairman Colin Porter of Coley Porter Bell plans to target businesses for sponsorship to fund closer partnerships with related bodies, and to help the DBA appeal to a wider audience.

In his inaugural speech this week Porter praised his predecessor, Elmwood managing director Jonathan Sands, for his work. But he says there is still room for improvement .

“We need to change our image, to show we are more in touch. We haven’t been terribly accessible and have to speak to people more, to the Government, to industry, the media, education and the design industry,” says Porter.

Porter wants to work closely with the Chartered Society of Designers and the Design Council. He also backs the Halifax Initiative, which seeks to create cohesion between industry bodies.

Porter plans special events to increase the DBA’s profile and increase membership to 300, from the current 240.

“I think we should broaden our remit to include in-house designers and educational institutions, as well as business consultancies. We will hold an extraordinary general meeting to discuss this and the possible changes needed to implement it,” he continues.

Quentin Newark from Atelier Works, Rebecca Battman of TDA in Birmingham and Phil Jones of Real Time Studio have been appointed as DBA directors.

The DBA has postponed the launch of its recruitment service, originally planned for September this year, to the beginning of 1998.