‘Our nation's prosperity depends upon businesses being innovative and creative and using design to turn this into world beating products and services.’
 
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Stephen Byers on the launch of the Design Council report ‘Design in the New Economy’ at the CBI National Conference, 1 November 1999
 
 
‘If you want to improve on your life, then you have to make errors in your life. If you are not making enough errors then I suggest you raise your standards.’
 
Charles Hampden-Turner, Visiting Professor, Judge Institute of Management Studies speaking at the launch of Design in Business Week ’99, 18 October 1999
 
 
‘One in two businesses believe that the UK’s image does not fully reflect the creativity of its companies today; more than half - 54% - said their own business would benefit directly if the UK’s image in this respect was improved.’
 
Consensus Research, carried out for the Design Council, June 1999
 
 
‘Economic success in the knowledge-based economy of the future depends upon us doing more to encourage innovation. Creating a culture that favours enterprise for all. Building the knowledge and skills base of the economy. Fostering the digital computer revolution and engaging constructively with Europe. And in building for our future, we build from the great British strengths; the British genius - our belief in work, enterprise and fair play, our creativity and willingness to adapt and to take an outward looking approach to the world.’
 
Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking at the CBI Annual Dinner, 18 May 1999
 
 
‘We only have to look for a moment to see how the world is changing around us to see why creativity in education is such a burning issue. The pace of change, the pressure on all of us to adapt, to design new solutions and to foresee new opportunities on the horizon - they are all immense.’
 
Michael Bichard, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Employment, speaking at the launch of Design in Education Week ’99, 11 March 1999