UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) launched the taskforce yesterday, which is part of the government’s plan to get 100,000 more UK businesses exporting.
Other firms signed up to the taskforce come from the transport, healthcare, retail and sports industries and include firms such as The British Museum, ADCreative London, FutureBrand, Mother, ES Global, factorydesign, Populous and the V&A.
“There’s a real eclectic mix of organisations involved, but we all have creative innovation at our core and that’s been a real push for us in the past few years, we’re in great company, and the government is trying to leverage our collective expertise to help boost the economy,” said HH Global chief marketing officer Tony Massey.
He added that following its successful navigation of the six-month selection process, HH will shortly begin working with UKTI to identify potential projects and develop a bespoke international expansion plan. As part of the scheme HH will have to take part in at least two international visits each year, preferably in the emerging markets, with a view to securing “high value projects”.
“It only launched yesterday, but I think UKTI has a hit list of projects it wants the taskforce to collaborate on to bring some of these projects to to the UK. We’re potentially talking about £1bn type projects that are much bigger than us or any of the other members would be able to target individually,” said Massey.
HH will also benefit from UKTI and international trade advisers training and support to help it win the international contracts.
“Being part of the UKTI Taskforce is giving us a great insight into how to make the best approach in international markets with these services, whilst also flying the flag for UK innovation in creativity and design,” said HH Global chief marketing officer Tony Massey.
Speaking at the launch of the taskforce yesterday, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “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."
