Design Advisers

I work with ambitious and innovative businesses to help them to grow and achieve economic, environmental and social sustainability. My role, as Design Adviser, is to get to know a business: to be clear about its aspirations and resources, products and services, markets and end users. I then ask: "What can we re-design to best serve these markets and end users and to achieve the business aspirations – making best use of resources and maximising the opportunities available?" This will lead to a design brief, which might be brand or communications focused, but may involve redesigning a product or service, the business environment or company culture. After working in design for 25 years, and running my own successful design partnership, my aim is to help businesses to succeed using all of the knowledge I have accumulated.

Following stints at Wolff Olins and other London agencies, I went on to become a Senior Lecturer at University College Falmouth and co-owner of one of the South West’s leading design agencies. I have more than twenty years’ experience in brand development, design management and marketing communications. My experience includes, writing identity manuals for Thorn EMI, developing the unique visual brand for the Eden Project, and repositioning Pendennis Superyachts as a global leader. I have worked in a wide range of sectors, including: technology, marine industries, professional services, food and drink, the environment, renewable energy, heritage and tourism, health, regeneration and education. As well as working for The Design Programme, I am an independent brand, design and communication consultant.

I am a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers, a past Chair of the South West Design Forum, and a member of the Institute of Directors.

"Job satisfaction is seeing a client achieve more sales, better margins, happier customers and staff, and a more sustainable business – using design and marketing as the tool."

As a Design Adviser, I begin my work with a client by sitting down together to discuss their business and the challenges it faces. I look at the business objectives and start to build up a picture of how design might fit in and support these objectives. I then identify a selection of designers who can help the business to move itself or a product forward. Together, the client and I select the designer that is right for them and I support the client in managing the design process to a successful conclusion.

Over the years I have helped hundreds of SMEs to use design in a profitable way. With an extensive background in visual communication, design and media management/production, both in the UK and the USA, and as the Managing Director of my own company, I am quickly able to build up a rounded view of a business and to identify the ways in which design can increase profitability.

I recently worked with a client on the design of a new and innovative product. The client had the technology, but lacked the design knowledge to fully achieve the potential of the product. Design input had a direct impact on the practical applications of the product, which has now been launched and is internationally acclaimed.

“Design is not just the fluffy stuff; it’s integral to the success of a product or business. It can genuinely increase profitability.”

I manage The Design Programme’s ‘Innovate’ service. This service leads and supports carefully selected groups of early-stage technology businesses to implement a series of design projects that will quickly move their business forward. These design projects make the business more competitive, attract stronger investment and help get them to market earlier, and with better products and services. I will help a business at every stage of the programme, from making the best application for the selection process, through to guiding and mentoring them to the successful completion of their chosen projects. I also share with them longer-term strategic learning around how design can give their business the competitive edge.

Over the last 30 years I have developed a strong track record in leading technology innovation teams, in small and large businesses across the world. During the last 15 years, my work as a Director with Hewlett Packard has seen me creating and managing a new digital media department; developing a number of cutting-edge technologies. I developed a specific approach to technology innovation, which produced outstanding results and which has been recognised, worldwide, for its success.

Sustainability is something I am also interested in. With small start-up technology businesses, getting that thinking in early can make a huge difference in the sustainable nature of the solution, for little or no cost.

“We recently selected six great businesses for the Innovate programme and started them on their year-long journey. I anticipate some world-beating successes which may, otherwise, not have made it to market.”

My work with companies focuses on the role design can play in helping them achieve their business objectives. This can range from instigating a product design project or developing a brochure and identity, to developing a product portfolio or supporting a major business change, looking at new processes and structures. I believe there is real value in working with companies to build their design capabilities. As a Design Adviser, I use my experience to provide mentoring services that help clients make strategic design decisions and look at new perspectives that design and innovation can offer.

My background is in telecommunications, product design, design management and brand strategy. I have been involved across various sectors, including architecture, engineering, construction, food & beverage, fashion, sports, professional services, furniture, cosmetics and technology. I have worked with start-ups as well as large corporations, including advising on growth strategies and export strategies. My international work has taken me to New Zealand, Australia and France. As Head of Bath School of Art & Design, I work across many disciplines, which helps me to bring an objective perspective to each business I work with.

“Companies often have some experience of design projects, but the challenge is to move beyond project level to operational levels and then to strategic levels.”

As a Design Adviser I help businesses to understand how design can increase profitability and give them an edge over their competitors. I help them to identify how design can bring added value to their current offering; this might include product, packaging, branding, web or service design. With my support, the business will then select, engage and manage a designer to deliver what they require. My focus, all the way along, is on the outputs and making sure the business objectives are met.

I have 20 years experience supporting businesses in the UK on design, environmental and engineering projects. I am one of a handful of experienced eco-designers in the UK and have worked with the Design Council since 1996. I have advised over 800 companies and saved them over £60 million.

I have worked on brand and corporate ID (numerous); packaging design (GAP, NEXT, Ginsters, Dorset Cereals, Castrol, Mars, Belkin); product design (Hozelock, Pace, B&Q), and process design (Belkin, Dorset Cereals, Calypso, Rachel’s Dairy, Glanbia).

I have also clocked-up considerable hands-on, business experience as the Director and Managing director of three successful businesses.

“I’m good at changing the way that businesses think about themselves and have a track record of increasing sales, reducing costs and reducing resource use.”