11 Questions with Ed Rowberry, President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative

Ed Rowberry, the newly appointed President of the Bristol Chamber & Initiative, brings a wealth of experience, a deep love for Bristol, and a clear vision for the region’s future. As CEO of BBRC, he has already driven over £70m in investment into the West of England, championing sustainable and inclusive growth. In this Q&A, Ed shares his journey, his hopes for the role, and why he believes Bristol’s business community can be a powerful force for good.

Can you share a bit about your career journey and how your experience has prepared you for this role as President of the Bristol Chamber & Initiative?  

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, where I advised and audited small businesses, I moved into the world of real estate where I spent time at Lend Lease in the property development and fund management divisions in London.  I learnt a great deal while at these larger companies about commercial rigour and the way that the world of finance works.

After a short sabbatical overseas, I then moved to Bristol in 2007. At that point I decided that I wanted to put the skills that I had learnt to good use and moved into the world of housing associations as a finance director.  

It was during that time that I was approached by a philanthropist to set up the Impact Investment Company, BBRC.

My work to grow BBRC, combined with my previous experience of working in larger corporations and several non-executive roles has provided me with a good understanding of the highs and lows of running a business and what businesses require to succeed.

I hope to bring some of the experience to bear in my term as President of the Bristol Chamber and Initiative.

What inspired you to found BBRC, and how has its mission influenced your vision for Bristol?  

In 2013, I was approached and interviewed by a local philanthropist, John Pontin, to set up a local investment vehicle with the promise of a year of salary, and the use of Bordeaux Quay Restaurant as an initial base. This seemed like an exciting challenge and one that aligned entirely with my values and aspirations to use my skills for good.

Following a two-year incubation period bringing partners on board, BBRC has now been trading for nearly a decade and its mission is to improve the wellbeing of people, communities and the environment in the South-West of England. 

BBRC is the South West’s first home-grown, place-based impact investor and it has now brokered, placed and leveraged more than £70 million to invest in real estate, infrastructure and businesses in the region that are delivering strong social, economic and environmental outcomes for local communities and attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors. 

There is still much to be done still to tackle the challenges and inequalities within our region, but BBRC has shaped my vision for Bristol more generally as a place that is great for business and seeks to provide opportunity for all – regardless of background. 

What are your top priorities as President of the Bristol Chamber & Initiative?  

Part of my role as President will be as Chair of the Bristol Advisory Committee, which has four stated priorities – Transport, Placemaking, Skills and Tackling Deprivation.

The priorities sit against a backdrop of a new government focussed on growth, implementing an Industrial Strategy backed by an enhanced Devolution Framework implemented via Local Growth Plans. This policy backdrop identifies an increasing role for regional mayors, and it will be critical to work with the incoming West of England Mayor and the West of England Combined Authority Committee and Executive Team.

By linking the four priorities of the Initiative to the emerging national and devolved policy environment, we can apply data, knowledge and influence to build the foundations of economy through its work in transport, placemaking and skills – all with the aim of growing a productive economy that reduces inequality.   

This work can act as a key source of information for the emerging Local Growth Plan and I hope to play my role, alongside the wider team at Business West, to ensure that these perspectives are seen, heard and implemented by policymakers.

What does “good growth” mean to you, and how do you plan to champion it in Bristol?  

Good growth is productive growth, inclusive growth and sustainable growth. Ultimately, if we can achieve these three objectives, we will have the highest proportion of people working in a productive way in an environment and therefore economy that creates tradeable markets into the long term – that is good for business.  

Good growth is critical at a time when the economic inactivity rate for those aged 16 to 64 was 21.6%, with 9.29 million people economically inactive, this is clearly a productivity issue for UK Plc.

Crucially, all these features of growth are underpinned by values of responsible business practices, which in turn act as a cultural barometer of a healthy and functioning society.

In an increasingly polarised world, how can businesses be a force for good, as you’ve mentioned?  

There are many ways that business can be a force for good.  

Part of the answer is cultural and the healthy signal that business sends to society by the way it does business.  

In more practical terms, much of the answer rests in the employment, procurement and investment practices of corporate bodies. The spending, employment and investment powers of business are significant across the region, and if directed in the right way, this can have a significant positive impact on business and society alike.

What role do you see the Chamber & Initiative playing in shaping policy and influencing decision-makers in the region?  

The Chamber and Initiative has a key role in ensuring that the business community has a strong, collective voice to drive good growth in our region. Through this voice, business can better work with elected officials to shape policy and put our region on the map with government and investors alike.  

What makes Bristol such a unique and special city to you?  

I love Bristol’s slightly rebellious, culturally rich, and entrepreneurial can-do attitude. It’s also a city that is filled with people who are compassionate and want to make a difference – it’s a place that I’m proud to call home.

How has Bristol’s culture and community influenced your work and leadership style?  

Bristol has a willingness to collaborate and that has made it far easier to lead outside of organisational boundaries.  Through this collaborative working, there is the ability to learn, continuously improve and of course to do business.   

How do you see Bristol evolving over the next decade?

Bristol, in an age of advanced technology and AI, will continue to grow in population terms.  Hopefully, we can harness these changes and address the housing, transport and skills challenges to ensure that this does not further compound inequality and put undue pressure on public services. Bristol will of course become net zero too through everyone’s amazing efforts!

One thing that is critical as Bristol grows is that it doesn’t lose its heart and soul – its amazing cultural offering.  The risk of large-scale investment is that it can price out accessible culture, so it is important that Bristol resists the temptation to become a bland corporate vessel and fights hard to protect its amazingly rich and diverse cultural offering.

What’s your favourite hidden gem in Bristol that more people should know about?  

I am a bit of an early riser, so a pre-dawn run along the Portway with my dog has a special view of the suspension bridge from below before the sun rises. We try to avoid the lorries hurtling the other way.   

What message would you like to share with the business leaders and members of the Bristol Initiative as you step into this role?

The world is becoming increasingly unpredictable and we are entering a new paradigm on the global stage with tectonic shifts in geopolitical and economic structures. Although we need to be mindful and adapt to these changes, holding to the values of responsible business and setting the right tone have never been more important to ensure that businesses can trade in a healthy environment into the long term.   

Anyone in a business leadership role is therefore in a privileged position of responsibility to help deliver on that mission.

The Chamber and Initiative must also play its role in supporting its valued members to do this and we will continue to seek the views of existing and new members to understand what business require from us to help.

Ed Rowberry’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Bristol Chamber & Initiative. With his passion for the city, commitment to “good growth,” and proven track record of delivering impact, Ed is poised to lead Bristol’s business community toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future. As he steps into this role, one thing is clear: Bristol’s best days are yet to come.

Are you interested in joining the Bristol Chamber and becoming part of a thriving business community that connects, supports, and amplifies the voice of local enterprises? Click here to find out more: https://www.businesswest.co.uk/join-our-community 

Or perhaps you’d like to join the Bristol Initiative and collaborate with over 140 business leaders to deliver meaningful impact on the city you love, driving sustainable and inclusive growth for a brighter future? Find out more here: https://www.businesswest.co.uk/initiative/bristol-initiative