BDP joins top design companies in UKTI taskforce

BDP is one of the top 100 design companies to join the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) High Value Opportunities (HVO) taskforce.

The UKTI is supporting the UK’s creative companies in a drive to win £500 million worth of high value overseas contracts in the next three years. The initiative is part of a government plan to get 100,000 more UK businesses exporting their services.

Companies on the taskforce include top architectural names such as Adjaye Associates, Zaha Hadid Architects, John McAslan and Populous and institutions such as The British Museum and the V&A.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“The growing appetite for British design offers many opportunities for innovative firms of all sizes to boost their overseas trade and attract new investment. Collectively the creative industries already generate more than £36 billion a year for the UK economy – £70,000 every minute – and employ 1.5 million people.

“From airport interiors to ground-breaking medical devices and design exhibitions, the creative industries account for around £1 in every £10 of the UK’s exports and are crucial to building a stronger economy. With new support from UK Trade & Investment, we want to help creative SMEs access more high value supply chain opportunities across the globe.”

Each company in the taskforce will have its own international expansion plan and participate in a minimum of two overseas visits each year to target high value projects.

The interest, particularly from emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East and countries like Brazil, is based on Britain’s reputation as a leader in creative industries.

Heading this initiative for BDP is Martin Sutcliffe, Director of Architecture and Chairman of the Bristol studio. “We are delighted to be chosen amongst the top 100 creative companies in the UK as part of the HVO taskforce. BDP has been active in international markets for many years but we look forward to developing new opportunities in partnership with UKTI.”