BDI appoints research head

British Design Innovation has appointed Linda Hodgson, a former head of consumer futures at Corporate Edge, to the position of head of research for UK Design 2020, a joint initiative between BDI and the Universities of Salford and Lancaster.

It aims to research the challenges facing the UK design industry over the next decade, with a view to establishing potential scenarios to inform strategic direction and policy and develop a blueprint for the shape of the sector in 2020.

For the past three years, since leaving Corporate Edge, Hodgson has been running her own brand and futures consultancy called Future Cat. She began her career in advertising agencies and has worked in the advertising and design industry for over 20 years at planning director level.

Hodgson is a fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts and a professional member of the World Futures Society, as well as being a board member of BDI South East.

Separately, BDI, in partnership with the London Manufacturing Advisory Service, technology development and industry support network PERA and employers’ organisation EEF South, has awarded £5000 to 12 strategic design groups to collaborate with 12 SME manufacturers. Visit www.britishdesign innovation.org for details on the design groups selected.