Design consultancy PriestmanGoode has announced that its co-founder and chairman, Paul Priestman, will accompany the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, on an official trade visit to China. Priestman will be joining other UK business leaders to promote UK industry and strengthen economic ties with China, the UKs fifth-largest trading nation.
Commenting on the trip, Priestman said, “It’s a huge privilege to be acting as an ambassador for the UK creative industry on this trade mission. Our industry design skills, from architects and illustrators, to engineering designers and transport designers, are world-renowned. Through good design, we can positively impact the way people the world over live, work and play.
“Design is truly global, and China is an important trading market with a burgeoning creative community. While PriestmanGoode has been operating in China for over 10 years now, I’m looking forward to finding new opportunities to forge more creative partnerships in China.”
PriestmanGoode has an office in Qingdao, China and has been working in partnership with clients in China since 2008, providing design services across a wide range of sectors, from transport and hotels through to consumer goods. Around 20% of the company’s sales are from China.
Priestman has also been creative global director for CRRC-Sifang, a rolling stock manufacturer, since 2013 working in partnership with them on the design of some major global projects including passenger trains and high-speed rail.
The trade mission to China aims to promote stronger business ties between the UK and China and grow UK exports. The UK delegation will be visiting Beijing and Shanghai over three days.
