We are delighted that DrillBoard has been selected to join a new taskforce set up by the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to promote the UK’s Top 100 Creative Sector Enterprises.
The drive to help the UK’s creative companies win high value contracts overseas was launched today by Business Secretary Vince Cable.
The Creative Industries HVO (High Value Opportunities) Taskforce aims to win £500 million worth of high value overseas contracts in the next three years. The initiative is part of a government plan to get 100,000 more UK businesses exporting.
Companies in the taskforce include DrillBoard, Wolf Ollins, Populous, Mother, AKQA, Zaha Hadid Architects, The British Museum, and the V&A, with expertise encompassing transport, healthcare, retail, cultural developments and global sports sectors.
Each company in the taskforce will have its own international expansion plan and participate in a minimum of two overseas visits each year to target high value projects.
They will also receive training, support and networking opportunities directly related to these high value opportunities from UKTI and work with International Trade Advisers to identify the projects they are most qualified to bid for.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“The growing appetite for British design offers many opportunities for innovative firms of all sizes to boost their overseas trade and attract new investment. Collectively the creative industries already generate more than £36 billion a year for the UK economy - £70,000 every minute - and employ 1.5 million people.
“From airport interiors to ground-breaking medical devices and design exhibitions, the creative industries account for around £1 in every £10 of the UK’s exports and are crucial to building a stronger economy. With new support from UK Trade & Investment, we want to help creative SMEs access more high value supply chain opportunities across the globe."
DrillBoard Founder and CEO Tim Gentles said:
"UKTI have put together a fantastic framework and we are excited to be involved. We have always taken an international view, it's in our DNA and we're very much looking forward to working with other companies in the taskforce, in particular, to help build upon the tremendous success of the 2012 London Games."
UKTI’s High Value Opportunities (HVO) programme focuses on 100 projects worldwide each of which are over £500mn in budget value and where the UK can compete for at least £250mn. UKTI's ambition is to help UK businesses of all sizes secure, through the programme, £10bn of contract wins in 2013/14 and £10bn in 2014/15.
