Northwest RDA puts out tender for design panel

The North West of England is to receive a creative boost following a decision by the Northwest Regional Development Agency to form a design panel. This panel will aim to provide the agency with design services to promote the region.


Up to eight consultancies will be appointed by the NWDA, which will then be able to pitch for commissioned work to cover business-to-business and corporate, as well as tourism and place branding.


According to the tender information, once the panel consultancies are selected, design will be commissioned on a project and ad hoc basis, and cover the areas of activity that the NWDA is responsible for. The list is expected to be announced in September.


The panel will be in place for a maximum of four years, subject to annual review, and consultancies must have a ‘demonstrable track record of producing a range of high-quality innovative creative designs’.


‘The panel will focus mainly on campaigns to promote the region as a tourism destination and business location – two key priorities for the region,’ says a spokesperson for the NWDA.


This development comes at a time of renewal in the North West, following the first meeting of the Northwest Design Review Panel, which reviewed four regeneration schemes for the urban environment. Both panels are separate, with the design panel set to focus on promotion and the review panel on the built environment.


The Design Review Panel is part of Places Matter – a programme led by Renew Northwest, with the support of the NWDA, Cabe and RIBA Northwest, aimed at helping to raise design aspirations in the built environment and encourage adoption of high design standards across the North West.


• The London Development Agency is shoring up its design services with the appointment last month of Richelle Harun to the newly created role of senior design manager. She will head the innovation and design team.



REGIONAL DRIVING FORCES
• Eight Regional Development Agencies were established under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, and the ninth, in London, was established in July 2000 following the establishment of the Greater London Authority
• Their primary role is as strategic drivers of regional economic development in their region, including promoting business, employment and sustainable development

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