

Callum Lee
Managing Director
Callum leads the BOP team, its portfolio and strategic partnerships. His cultural and creative industries expertise is founded on leading analytical research and policy formulation in the UK and internationally.
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The Design Council has launched their most ambitious research initiative to date, the Design Economy 2018.
Building on their pioneering 2015 Design Economy report which measured the value of design across the UK for the first time, the 2018 version provides updated estimates, along with in-depth analysis of the scope and impact of design in the UK and its value to the wider economy.
To enhance the Design Council’s quantitative analysis of the sector, we were commissioned to develop a series of in-depth profiles of firms using design in interesting ways. These included design-intensive companies whose main function is design, as well as design active firms which are non-design companies but have design as a core part of their DNA.
Key findings from the report include:
Design is a high value and high growth sector in the UK: The design economy generated £85.2bn in gross value added (GVA) to the UK in 2016 - equivalent to 7% of UK GVA and outpacing the growth rate of the UK economy as a whole
Design supports significant job creation and employment in the UK: In 2016, there were 1.69m people employed in design roles, and as of 2017 there are 78,030 design-intensive firms operating in the UK
…but there is a major diversity challenge that the design sector in the UK needs to address: The UK’s design workforce is predominantly male (78%), and women in the sector continue to earn less than their male counterparts. BAME designers make up just 12% of senior and managerial roles in the sector.
The firms featured include The Guardian, Monzo, Page\Park, Fjord, City ID, Studio Moross and MAP Project Office.
For this, we travelled across London and the UK spending time with these companies to understand how they are using design and how its role is changing, how their capability and skill areas are adapting and expanding, and how these companies are responding to wider technological, political and economic factors.
Highlights from our research can be found throughout the report, with the full profiles to be rolled out in the coming months.
You can view video case studies produced by BOP of Map Project Office, Fjord (part of Accenture) and City ID on the Design Economy homepage.
The Design Economy 2018 is the Design Council's report on the state of design in the UK, and its value to the economy.
Project Report
The Design Economy 2018 – Report
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A global research and consulting practice for culture and the creative economy
Building on our contribution to the second edition of the report in 2018, BOP has led as the Data and Research partner on this report to help find out how policies can protect people working in the creative and cultural sectors.
UNESCO's Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity Report – Addressing culture as a global public good
UNESCO
Our strategy will guide the creation of a new digital service aiming at supporting and developing the creative scene in Downtown Kingston.
Leveraging the creative potential of Downtown Kingston through technology
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
Our research into the UK's high streets found that 69% of people think culture on their high street makes their area a better place to live.
Culture: The cornerstone of the UK’s high streets
Arts Council England
BOP’s updated Handbook for the Inter-American Development Bank sets out strategies for sustainability and urban resilience
Creative and Cultural Industries and Urban Revitalisation in the post-COVID era
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
We investigated the potential impact of AI on the cultural and creative industries.
Opportunities and Challenges of AI for the Cultural and Creative Industries
European Commission
Published today: ‘Design for Good: 90 Years of the RSA Student Design Awards’, a new publication from the RSA, co-authored by BOP
A History of Bright Ideas: 90 Years of the RSA Student Design Awards
The Royal Society for Arts (RSA)
New skills research in the Gulf Co-operation Council States
An evidence-base for the growing Gulf festivals sector
British Council
Our research into the museum workforce is launched
Conscientiousness, optimism, and curiosity
Museums Galleries Scotland
BOP’s report for Nanjing City Government demonstrates the importance of cross-cutting policies with a compelling cultural offer at the core
Creating Healthy Night-time Economies in World Cities
Nanjing Creative Center
Findings from our work at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Creativity in health settings
GOSH Arts
How is China influencing the future of Cultural Tourism?
Cultural Infrastructure for the 21st Century
Chengdu Media Group
Based on our impact analysis we estimate $750 billion in lost GVA for the CCI as a result of the pandemic so far.
Economic impact of COVID-19 on the Cultural and Creative Industries
UNESCO
Our analysis of the strengths & challenges of music in the Midlands is published
Hitting the right notes in the Midlands
Arts Council England
New handbook published for city leaders
How can cities make space for culture?
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
Our report sheds new light on how building the capacity of the heritage sector can assist working internationally
International working builds stronger heritage sector at home
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our new report with Nesta published
Opportunities for China-UK Cooperation through Equity Crowdfunding
Nesta
Our new research report for the National Trust
Protect urban heritage to prevent growth in inequality
National Trust
Our latest research for the Reading Agency shows we should read year-round
Reading is for life, not just for August
The Reading Agency
Our review of the Scottish Animation Sector, commissioned by Creative Scotland, has just been published
Review of the Scottish Animation Sector
Creative Scotland
UK-wide study of visitor experience practice provides new benchmarks for cultural and visitor attractions
Sharing Operations and Visitor Experience insight
VE:Forum