The DBA has forged a strategic alliance with the Design Council that will deliver

tangible benefits into the design industry. So important is this collaboration, that David Kester, CEO of the Design Council, is to join the DBA's Board of Directors as a Special Adviser. He takes up the position from April 2005.

In line with both organisation's business strategies, this alliance will see them

come together to work in three key areas.

First is a significant piece of research that will seek to clearly demonstrate the

profile and size of the sector, its experience and capabilities and the main challenges that the industry perceives itself to be facing.

Second, is the launch in Spring 2006 of a national design referral service to be

run by the DBA. It will enable design buyers to identify their needs and assist them through the process of selecting the right design agency to meet those requirements.

And third, the development of skills and training initiatives to ensure that

people working in the design sector have a range of effective and relevant skills that will boost their business performance.

The cumulative impact of this undertaking will see the DBA strengthen its representation of the sector, an aim that sits at the heart of the Design Council's objectives to be achieved by 2007.

Download the official press release here