PRESS RELEASE 31 October 2011

Design-Nation/The Design Trust to relaunch in 2012 as independent social enterprises

‘The transfer of Design-Nation and The Design Trust to Andrew Tanner and Patricia van den Akker respectively returns the organisations to those at the heart of the design community.  Andrew and Patricia have exciting plans to develop new ways to promote and support designers at all stages of being in business.  I look forward to this with interest, sure in the knowledge that they will continue the work of our founding Director, the late Peta Levi MBE.’   Rachel Moses, Marketing Manager, Design-Nation

An opportunity to develop and grow
Design-Nation/The Design Trust has been part of London Metropolitan University since 2005 and was co-located with Metropolitan Works in Jan 2009.  During this time it has carried out the twin aims of promoting the excellence of British design and providing business support to designers by welcoming 105 new members, showcasing 72 members on 6 group stands at 100% Design and Decorex, seeing 3 Eureka Design Awards presented alongside exhibitions of 25 new products, arranging for 132 members to meet 14 industry contacts at 8 Meet Design-Nation networking events, presenting the work of 91 members at 5 Design-Nation at Home selling events, developing a social media presence for Design-Nation  and supporting 400 designers with training on behalf of Metropolitan Works as part of the ERDF funded Creative Business Seminars – as well as a range of other activities and events.

Although it is sad to say goodbye to friends at London Metropolitan University, particularly Metropolitan Works the Research and Graduate School and the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Media and Design, this is an opportunity to build on what was started by Design-Nation's Founding Director Peta Levi MBE in 1985 and has been achieved during the past 10 years.  None of which would have been possible without the support of funders, partners, and the design, applied art and craft communities, and to ensure the continuity of these activities it is important to lend support to new owners Andrew Tanner and Patricia van den Akker.

Embedded in the design community
The new owners between them have 25 years’ experience of the business of being a designer: Andrew through his own product design and consultancy company and Patricia with her experience of sales and marketing and latterly in training and advising creative businesses.  Each has the experience, skills and drive to develop an exciting new offer for the two, separate, social enterprises.

One organisation with two aims becomes two separate organisations
Andrew will develop new membership and Patricia will develop training for relaunch in 2012.
Andrew will take over the promotional activities trading as Design-Nation, based in the East Midlands to further the promotional aim of promoting the excellence of British 3d design and applied arts and relaunch Design-Nation in 2012.
Patricia will take over the educational activities trading as The Design Trust, based in London
to further the educational aim of providing business support to designers and relaunch
The Design Trust in 2012.

Keep in touch
Follow Design-Nation www.twitter.com/Design_Nation
Subscribe to Design-Nation News & Events blog at www.designnation.co.uk/news
Follow The Design Trust www.twitter.com/TheDesignTrust
Subscribe to The Design Trust www.thedesigntrust.co.uk

Do you want more information? Please contact
Patricia van den Akker info@akker.co.uk The Design Trust educational activities
Andrew Tanner info@andrewtannerdesign.co.uk  Design-Nation promotional activities
Rachel Moses uk.linkedin.com/in/remoses