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Globalisation has led to an unforeseen level of intensity in international competition between businesses. Commercial success can no longer be measured on cost competitiveness; design has emerged as a key differentiator for businesses around the world. When combined with strong corporate leadership, design can play a key part in producing sustainable results. As a result, we must develop a more modern definition of what best practice means within the design and business communities, adopting a commitment to excellence that balances both economic and social values.

Sustainable growth through design is not a new concept, but the important relationship between strong corporate leadership and design excellence is often underestimated. The Design Leadership Awards (DLA) commends the dedication and achievement of those who have successfully combined the two into a single concept.

Launched in 2004, the Design Leadership Award aims to:

Acknowledge the excellent achievements and contributions made by an outstanding world business leader
Establish role models within the international business community; and
Inspire the public to shape a better future for society

Judging Criteria

The recipient of the Design Leadership Award has:

Played a leading role in applying design in their organisation, and consistently demonstrated outstanding business performance
Made a significant contribution to support the development of design in their organisation, as well as in the design industry
Promoted or contributed to the development of design in their country, as well as the international community

Judging Panel

Victor Lo Chairman, Board of Directors, Hong Kong Design Centre, Hong Kong
(Chairman of the judging panel)
Julia Chiu Executive Director, Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization, Japan
Philip Dodd Co-founder, Made In China and Made In Asia, United Kingdom
John Heskett Chair Professor, School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Kan Tai- Keung Founder and Creative Director, Kan & Lau Design Consultants, Hong Kong
Anne Stenros Design Director and Vice President of Design, KONE Corporation, Finland

Winner of Design Leadership Award 2009

Kigge Hvid
CEO
INDEX:


KIGGE HVID has led the development and growth of INDEX: since her appointment as founding CEO in 2002. New concepts – developing them, testing them and implementing them – are the hallmarks of her acclaimed work in leadership roles both in business and organizational settings. In leading the Danish government's mandate to advance the humanist tenets of Danish design, Kigge is a frequent panelist and theme-setter at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos and is a member of the Forum's Global Agenda Council on Design. She also sits on the board of Engro Chemical Pakistan Ltd., a major fertilizer manufacturing and marketing corporation with products focused on balanced crop nutrition and increased yield for farmers. The recipient of an honorary doctorate in 2006 by the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Kigge brings to her direction of INDEX: a fluency in the related languages of designers and of social entrepreneurs. This is reflected in her frequent international appearances as the main proponent today of Design to Improve Life.

 
Organiser : Hong Kong Design Centre
Co-organiser : Commerce and Economic Development Bureau
Major Sponsor: Create Hong Kong