Reviewed 11 November 2009

Lammy celebrates success of UK brands

David Lammy, Minister of State for Intellectual Property, today praised the UK's strength in building internationally respected brands that contribute more than £15 billion to the country’s economy each year and have created over 1 million jobs.

Speaking with key business representatives at a conference organised by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), in partnership with British Brands Group (BBG) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Minister outlined the role government has to play in ensuring that UK brands are supported by the right conditions which will allow them to thrive.

David Lammy said:

"Brands are everywhere: from the adverts we watch on television to the cereal we pick off the shelf at the supermarket, they are a recognisable part of our everyday lives.

"Yet just as importantly they are the lynchpin of business and an essential contributor to our economy. Businesses understand their relevance and are willing to invest heavily in them as a result.

"I want to take this opportunity to bring together as many organisations as possible and listen to the issues that matter to them. Their input will help us in Government to work better with them and develop the next steps that will harness the potential of brands in the UK."

Uniquely, this event brought together government officials, brand leaders, business support organisations, intellectual property (IP) professionals and academics in one location, for the first time. It featured various influential expert speakers who, along with invited guests, will help shape future government policy through their discussion of the importance and potential of brands in the UK economy.

Today’s conference included presentations by:

  • Richard Reed - Co-founder of Innocent Drinks,
  • Nick Kendell - Group Strategy Director at BartleBogleHegarty,
  • James Hallett - VP and General Manager, GlaxoSmithKline,
  • Simon Anholt - Independent policy advisor, author and researcher

John Noble, British Brands Group commented on the conference:

"Branding is crucial to a modern economy, being a source of global competitiveness and a significant generator of wealth, while being responsive to the needs of society. This conference is an important first step in determining the importance of branding to the UK and our ability to compete effectively on the world stage."

Following the event, a report highlighting the key findings and discussion from the presentations and comprehensive workshops, will be presented to David Lammy. The report will aim to outline practical next steps to further develop the UK as a leader in brand building, and continue to provide effective support for innovative businesses.

Editor's notes

  • 'Branding in the modern economy' was held on Wednesday 11 November 2009 in partnership with British Brands Group (BBG) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
  • Further Information on this conference can be found on the IPO website (professional section).
  • The Intellectual Property Office is within the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS) and is responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
  • Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages innovation and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and users, promotes strong and competitive markets and is the foundation of the knowledge based economy.
  • It operates in a national and an international environment and its work is governed by national and international law, including various international treaties relating to IP to which the United Kingdom is a party.
  • For enquiries about the Intellectual Property Office press or media activities please contact Katie Phillips on + 44 (0) 1633 814326 or Matthew Navarra on + 44 (0) 1633 818313

Date of release: 11 November 2009