Top designer appointed to promote innovation

New Design Council director aims to put design 'at the heart' of business and society

6th November 2000

A leading designer, who has held senior positions in international consultancies and manufacturing companies around the world, has been appointed as the first Director of Design and Innovation at the Design Council. The newly created post will be taken up in the new year by 40-year-old Clive Grinyer, who is currently Head of Product Design at TAG McLaren Audio.

Clive will lead the Design Council's research and design teams in developing cutting-edge knowledge and new tools to help businesses, government and education implement effective design and innovation.

Announcing the appointment, Andrew Summers, Chief Executive of the Design Council said:'I am delighted that we will have somebody of Clive Grinyer's calibre to help build on the growing awareness of design's strategic importance. By helping to equip businesses and others with the means of using design more effectively, Clive will lead the Design Council's efforts to close the gap between good intentions and good practice'.

Clive Grinyer was one of the founders of the British product design consultancy Tangerine, before being lured to California to set-up a studio for Samsung and IDEO. He later returned to London as European Design Manager for Samsung, and then joined the Anglo American design consultancy, Fitch. Since 1998, Clive has been Head of Product Design at TAG McLaren Audio, He's been responsible for developing a range of music systems which combine the engineering expertise of McLaren F1 with the style and fashion elements of TAG Heuer.

Commenting on his new appointment with the Design Council, Clive said:'I am absolutely delighted to be joining an organisation with which I share a passion for design and its strategic importance. By working to create a culture and environment where it can flourish, we will be aiming to put design at the heart of businesses, organisations and, indeed, society'.

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. The Design Council is the UK's national authority on design and works with partners in business, education and government to promote the best use of effective design.

2. For media inquiries, contact Steve Annett on 020 7420 5239 (mobile 0976 557880) or e-mail stevea@designcouncil.org.uk