Five of the industry experts who will be speaking at the Sustainable Business by Design conference have revealed some of the gems of information that they will pass on to delegates at the event.

Spearheading the line-up of speakers is David Kester, the Chief Executive of the Design Council, an innovation expert who has many years experience in the design industry and is an advocate for British design.

The Sustainable Business by Design conference will take place on Tuesday 22nd March 2011 at Somerset College in Taunton, and the high calibre of speakers makes it an unmissable event.

The Sustainable Business by Design conference is run in association with the Creative Industries iNet, and it is also funded by the Design Programme, the Design Council, Somerset Design Enterprise Network, South West Design Forum, the Arts Council, ADK Design, Business Link and Exeter College.

David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council since 2003, and former Chief Executive of D&AD, will look at how design and innovation helps organisations become sustainable and profitable, as well as sharing how design networks can help organisations to assist growth through design, and the role of design in the development of the creative industries and economy. David’s varied career has seen him work with Friends of the Earth, and he is also a council member of the Royal College of Art and The Royal Society of Arts. He is a trustee of the Kingston Rose Theatre, and board member of the Design Business Association.

Also speaking is Eco-Designer and Design Advisor Mark Shayler. Mark is the founder of eco-design and innovation company Tickety Boo, and has worked with more than 800 clients over the last 20 years, including GAP, B&Q, Next, Ginsters, Dorset Cereals, Mars and Mercedes Benz. Mark will discuss disposable packaging, the key opportunities presented by the low-carbon economy and challenges presented by the current lack of sustainable design within industry. To illustrate his points, Mark will show business case-studies and examine the possible conflicts inherent in designing sustainable products.

Joining David and Mark is John Boult, Professor of Design Strategy at Brunel University and Design Strategist. John will talk about service design, explaining how it can reduce costs and become sustainable from many angles including profit, man power and service delivery, with an emphasis on public sector services. John is also a founding director of Product First and a director of Michael Peters (Asia-Pacific) Limited, a Brand Design consultancy specialising in the Japanese market. He is also a contributor to New Design magazine, and member of, its editorial board..

Lynne Elvins is a board member of the South West Design Forum and Vice-Chair of the West of England Design Forum. In the past Lynne has worked for the Centre for Sustainable Design, sustainable business consultancy SustainAbility and the Design Council. . Lynne was a Senior Advisor on the Sustainable Innovation Forum for the Future and has lectured on sustainable design and design management at many univaristies and colleges. Lynne is currently a regional design adviser for the The Design Programme and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Lynne’s will examine how design can bea powerful business tool that helps give you the edge over your competitors, increase profitability and give your business a stronger sense of direction. Lynne will explain how the Design Programme can bring direct access to a wide range of design expertise, advice and practical support for your organisation, as well as a fresh and independent perspective.

Completing the line-up of top industry experts is John Luff, an expert in Branding & Marketing, whose clients include the Ministry of Justice and Warbutons. John will explain how to turn Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR) strategies into a workable reality. The concepts and models that will be presented are based on John’s global marketing, CSR and brand management experience, in an ‘always-on’ internet world where geography is history. In 2004, John founded Sustainable Marketing, and he specialises in helping organisations identify and promote their brand,CSR and sustainability credentials. Previously John was Head of Global CSR and Head of Global Brand for BT. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Prince of Wales Business and the Environment programme. John is also an associate faculty member of the British Chartered Institute of Marketing, a Founding member of the Superbrands CSR Advisory Panel and CSR advisor to the World Lotteries’ Association.

The Sustainable Business by Design conference is open to Designers, Account Managers and Directors of Creative businesses, as well as businesses from the Food & Drink, Branding & Marketing, ICT and Public Service sectors. It will be an engaging, invaluable and vital conference that anyone who is interested in growing their businesses, or the business of their clients, should attend. Having access to such high calibre speakers all at one event is a not-to-be-missed chance to have all your questions answered, so anyone wishing to attend should book now!

The Sustainable Business by Design conference costs only £14.95 per person, and to book a place email clare@dept707.com or call 0117 300 5213. For more information go to http://www.sustainable-design-uk.com/