Business leaders are set to join Jo Dally and Nick Sturge, click to open in a new windowwho were named by the Mayor to lead the initiative, on the new board as part of a regional effort to drive growth, create jobs, support key sectors, and help secure further investment in the West of England.

This follows click to open in a new windowthe West’s Growth Strategy being taken to government and approved by the combined authority in the autumn. It sets out ambitious plans to build on the strongest recent regional economic growth in the country (+3%, 2023) and to better the 21% growth achieved by the West of England over the last ten years by delivering 28% growth over the coming decade – creating 72,000 new jobs. The strategy’s exciting investment prospectus includes mass transit to help get the West moving and the UK’s first AI Supercluster, centred on Isambard AI, the country’s fastest supercomputer.

The Business Board and its sector/cluster groups will look to represent the full breadth of the West’s diverse economy as the primary platform for businesses to engage with the regional authority’s strategic priorities. All council leaders, including from North Somerset, are members of the Business Board. The co-chairs of the Business Board will also work closely with other business representative organisations in the region. Some of the business leaders will also chair dedicated groups focused on key specific sectors/clusters set out in the Growth Strategy, with members of those groups to be recruited over coming months.

Since 2019, the West of England’s economic growth rate has been four times the national average. Over the last decade, the everyday economy (+17%), digital and tech (+52%), creative industries (+82%), and clean energy (+140%) sectors in the West saw the highest job growth of any region in the country – including London. Planning ahead for the next ten years, major growth zones identified include the West Innovation Arc, Central Bristol and Bath, the Severn Estuary, the Somer Valley, and North Somerset Growth Gateway.

The new Business Board will meet for the first time in the coming weeks. click to open in a new windowThe membership, who collectively bring hundreds of years of experience in business and industry, includes:

• Jo Dally, Chief Business Officer at NCC – who will co-chair the board for its first year
• Nick Sturge, Co-founder of Motion Media PLC, Engine Shed, and Omnigenix – who will co-chair the board for its first year
• Helen Argo, Executive Producer for Third Party and Commercials at Aardman – who will also chair the Creative Industries sector/cluster group
• Ann Cousins, Associate Director in Climate and Sustainability Services at Arup – who will also chair the Clean Energy sector/cluster group
• Heather Frankham, Founder of Lifetime Training, Origin Workspace, and Origin Foundation – who will also chair the Everyday Economy sector/cluster group
• Andy Guest, Head of Strategy & Group Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Mott MacDonald
• Jon Hunt, Executive Director of Innovation at the University of Bath
• Sado Jirde, Director of Black South West Network (BSWN)
• Imran Khawaja, Head of Filton Plant at Airbus – who will also chair the Advanced Manufacturing sector/cluster group
• Annabel Thomas MacGregor, CEO of Raised In CIC
• Nigel Toon, Co-founder and former CEO of Graphcore and Senior Non-Executive Director at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – who will also chair the Digital and Technologies sector/cluster group
• David Withey, CEO and Principal of South Gloucestershire & Stroud (SGS) College and inaugural Chair of the Colleges West partnership

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“The new Business Board, chaired by Jo and Nick, brings the real wealth of experience needed to help create new jobs and grow our £54 billion economy. I’m excited to meet with business and council leaders in the coming weeks to step things up a gear and help our region to thrive. Together, we can secure the investment and create the opportunities that will make a real difference that local people can see and feel in our communities.”

Jo Dally, Co-chair of the Business Board and Mayor’s Business Advisor, said:

“The breadth of experience and perspectives that Business Board Members collectively bring is testament to our region's strength and its potential. Our focus now is building on our shared ambition to see our businesses and communities thrive, and to create the conditions that will deliver inclusive growth across our region.”

Nick Sturge, Co-chair of the Business Board and Mayor’s Business Advisor, said:

“We were delighted with the breadth and depth of applicants for the Business Board and the consistent assertion of them, and their energy, to wanting to make the West of England a better place for everyone who lives and works here. In crafting the mix of skills, experience and representation I hope we have the best starting line-up as we set out on delivering our growth strategy.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“Bristol’s economy is built on creativity, innovation, and collaboration, and the new Business Board gives us a strong platform to harness those strengths for the benefit of the whole region. As a member of the Board, I’ll be working to ensure Bristol’s voice is heard as we shape an economy that delivers sustainable growth, creates good jobs, and secures investment that reaches every community. This is about building an economy that works for people as well as businesses – inclusive, resilient, and ready for the future."

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“South Gloucestershire is home to world-leading businesses and cutting-edge research. This new Business Board will help ensure that we are working together to shape the region’s future, helping to drive sustainable growth and create new opportunities for all our communities.”

Helen Argo, Executive Producer for Third Party and Commercials at Aardman, said:

“I'm delighted to join the WECA Business Board. Having spent over two decades at Aardman, I've seen first-hand the incredible creative talent across the West of England. I'm passionate about championing our region's creative sector and working collaboratively to foster innovation, support local businesses, and help our communities thrive.”

Heather Frankham, Founder of Lifetime Training, Origin Workspace, and Origin Foundation, said:

"I’m honoured to join the Business Board and chair the Everyday Economy group. I care deeply about the businesses and organisations that keep our region running, and I’m looking forward to working with others to make sure they have the support, skills, and opportunities to thrive and help meet the Growth Strategy’s inspiring ambitions.”

Andy Guest, Head of Strategy & Group Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Mott MacDonald, said:

“The West of England has incredible breadth and depth to its economic activity, with an ambitious plan for future growth. Over the years, the region has given me so much and alongside my colleagues on the Business Board I am proud to contribute to its continued success.”

Jon Hunt, Executive Director of Innovation at the University of Bath, said:

“I’m delighted to take on this first rotating position representing our great universities. When we work together across our region, we create opportunities for all. Through partnership we can secure the investment and develop the ideas that help every community in the West to thrive.”

Annabel Thomas MacGregor, CEO of Raised In CIC, said:

“I’m thrilled to join the Business Board at such an exciting time of potential for the West of England. I look forward to championing our everyday economy – 57% of regional jobs – and helping make this the best place to work and do business.”

Note: The Mayor’s Business Advisors roles are unpaid, as are Board Members.