The Initiative Team

Dr John Savage CBE

Executive President

To lead the organisation in the promotion of partnership between local government, industry and commerce in order to promote the position of Bristol and its neighbouring communities as a vibrant and vital European city region in the twenty-first century.

Email Telephone: 01275 370791

James Durie

Director of the Initiative

To run and manage all the activities and roles of the Initiative across Bristol, Bath, West of England, Swindon and Gloucestershire. To assist the Chief Executive in leading Business West in its role as the voice and representative body of the business community.

Email Telephone: 01275 370792

Nigel Hutchings

Director, Chambers of Commerce

To develop and legitimise with members and others Business West's position as the leading representative organisation for the private sector in the Greater Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire region through Chambers of Commerce. To facilitate the development of the South West Chamber of Commerce and seek opportunities to raise the Chamber’s profile within the South West Region.

Email Telephone: 01275 370789

Ian Larrard

Director, Initiative in Swindon and Wiltshire

Ian is leading the day to day activities of the Initiative across the Swindon and Wiltshire area including working both tactically and strategically as part of Business West’s ‘Business Initiative’.

Email Telephone: 01793 428348

Julie Lever

PA to the Executive President/Office Manager

To provide PA/secretarial support to the Chief Executive. To organise and supervise all of the administrative activities that facilitate the smooth running of the Initiative Team office and manage the administrative support.

Email Telephone: 01275 370791

Alison Parsons

Partnerships Accountant

Responsible for all aspects of accounts preparation and statutory returns for various Initiative project organisations, including Bristol Cultural Development Partnership and South West Chamber of Commerce.

Email Telephone: 01275 370794

Amy Cryer

Initiative Team Coordinator & PA to Director, Chambers of Commerce

Provides secretarial and administration support to the Initiative Team, including organising monthly Initiative lunches, committee meetings and Initiative Secretaries lunches. PA support to the General Manager, Chambers of Commerce. Administration of the South West Chambers of Commerce website, database, communications and Board meetings.

Email Telephone: 01275 370790

Sarina Gilbert

PA to Director of the Initiative

PA to the Director of the Initiative, including managing the diary, monitoring email and handling general correspondence. To help with the organisation of Initiative evenings and work with the team to provide administrative support to the Executive team.

Email Telephone: 01275 370792

Ian Bell

Media Consultant

Produces a variety of communication material for staff, members and the outside world including writing the main articles for Update, the Chamber section of the Bath Chronicle Business Supplement and the members' monthly e-zine as well as responses to strategic consultations. Assists with the running of the Initiative for B&NES and the Bath Chamber of Commerce.

Email Telephone: 01275 333128

Sandy Bell

Communication Consultant

Provides a full general management service for both the Bath Chamber of Commerce and Initiative for B&NES including the preparation of a variety of communication materials as a co-Director of Tintinna Ltd.

Email Telephone: 01275 333128