British Interactive Media Association relaunches with expansion plans

BIMA serves to support and promote the digital industry, share knowledge and award digital distinction.

Offices are now being set up in Scotland and Wales, and BIMA chairman Justin Cooke says ‘We’re looking to set up in Northern Ireland and will be setting up regional bodies throughout Britain.’

Standard practice agreements in industry and education will be rolled out by the organisation to ensure parity and accreditation, Cooke adds. 

‘Digital suppliers need to know what they should be paid and companies need to know what they should be charging,’ he says.

Working with legal group Kemp Little, accredited legal standards will be developed which companies are encouraged to subscribe to, Cooke says.

University courses will also be accredited where digital courses are ‘most relevant in terms of employability’, says Cooke. BIMA has already accredited courses at Middlesex University and Manchester Metropolitan University.

To close the ‘education-vocation gap’ the organisation will work with Channel 4, Microsoft and Sky to create a Nationwide School Digital Challenge, ‘partnering kids with local consultancies to work on digital projects aimed at improving the communities they live in’, Cooke says.