New chairman as Somerset Design Enterprise Network relaunches
The Somerset Design Enterprise Network has relaunched with a restructured committee and new chairman, ADK director Andrew Knutt.
The network, which was launched five years ago, wants to boost its membership and "keep design at the forefront of business thinking" in the county.
Taunton-based Knutt has been in business for 12 years and is also a committee member of SDEN's regional parent organisation, the South West Design Forum and an Associate of the Institute of Business Consulting.
Richard Holt, former chairman of SDEN, becomes vice-chairman. The industrial designer and fellow in creative industries and enterprise from the University of Plymouth has been based at Somerset College since 2005.
Knutt says SDEN aims to bring the county's designers together and provide a meeting point for design, industry, education and other design-related activities.
"Much has been achieved over the group’s first five years providing a foundation that promotes Somerset's design industry and represents our members at regional, national, and global level," he said.
"Now we need to build our membership to reflect the diversity of forward-thinking design activity in the county and we will be looking to create a range of activities and events.
“Everyone knows how challenging today’s economic conditions are. To survive in these conditions and stay ahead of the competition, UK business must add value – and good design from Somerset’s designers has a valuable part to play in achieving this.”
The SDEN committee also includes Andrew Palmer, founder of Strategic Marketing Solutions; Alistair Whiteley, a freelance web developer based in Weston-super-Mare; Neil Lumby, who is establishing a new multi-practice, DesignEquity and Paul Bryant, chairman and director of Impact Design & Marketing.