200 Years of Future Thinking

 

Since Business West was established in 1823, we have continued to support firms to start up, grow, innovate, and export.  We are committed to building professional communities. 

Our ‘Business West 200’ campaign with the tagline – ‘200 Years of Future Thinking’ – celebrates in 2023 the two centuries that have passed since the Bristol-based Chamber of Commerce was founded.

Then, Bristol was suffering, despite a major reconstruction and upgrading of Bristol Docks in 1809, from a diminution of overseas and local trade. Now, Bristol is basking in its rejuvenation, particularly the docks, brought about in recent decades through the involvement of the Chamber of Commerce – now Business West.

Business West is the largest membership organisation in the region and represents businesses of all sizes and sectors, lobbying government on their key business issues - nationally via British Chambers of Commerce and regionally through its network of Chambers of Commerce in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. 

In 2021, we became a Certified B Corp.  In other words, we meet exacting standards of verified social and environmental performance, balancing profit and purpose.  It makes us uniquely placed to advise the businesses of the future, as well as lending credibility to our message that business can be a force for good.

We’re incredibly proud to work with so many fantastic businesses. They contribute to making our region the best place to live, work, learn and prosper and have played an integral role to 200 years of future thinking in our region.