DBA announces new Regional Heads
The DBA has announced the appointment of four new Regional Heads of Development; Ann Rimmer of Clock Creative, Colin Robertson of Blumilk, Simon Farrell of Tayburn and Ian Thompson from Thompson Brand Partners.
The quartet will now act as the face of the DBA in their regions, helping to strengthen an ever-growing community of DBA members based outside of London.
The role of Regional Head of Development was created by the DBA in 2005 to generate a greater connection between design consultancies and to build a greater interface with business figures and intermediaries in the regions. It has been integral to the continual growth and development of the DBA throughout the country over the last four years, in which time DBA membership has doubled.
Deborah Dawton, chief executive, DBA, said: “At the DBA, we really value our role as the hub of the national design community, so for 2009 we've recruited four new Regional Heads of Development to bring a fresh and energetic approach to our local activity. They all have excellent track records of running successful design agencies and really understand the issues design businesses are facing both locally and nationally.
"With a shared enthusiasm for building a sense of community and a passion for opening up opportunities for DBA members in their area, we're really looking forward to working with them all in this role.”
Colin Robertson, MD of Blumilk supports this aim: “I feel with my experience, I can bring an understanding of the particular challenges, difficulties and opportunities facing agencies within the region and am looking to create opportunities that will bring together and promote design businesses based in North East England so they have a stronger influence within the region’s commercial and cultural communities.”
Simon Farrell, MD of Tayburn, replaces Keith Forbes of Good Creative, who has recently joined the DBA Board of Directors. Of accepting his position he said: “I believe a lot of the great work that comes from the regions doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. As an industry we are sometimes perceived as decorators rather than communicators and if I can in some small way help reverse those perceptions, then I think that would be a job well done.”
Ann Rimmer, founder and creative director of Clock Creative Communications, is keen to network members: “A key activity for me will be bringing members together, sharing ideas and discussing issues for us to identify areas where the DBA can help. There are challenging times ahead for the design industry, and there is a real need for agencies to be working on their own business as well as their clients.”
Ian Thompson, founder of Thompson Brand Partners added: “Design is still the best way to find the hidden value in a business or product and make it shine. And now more than ever, business needs it. As Regional Head, if I can get just one business to include design in its vocabulary, not as an extra, but as a central pillar I’ll have done my job.”