A time of change: Dr. Justin Morris reflects on his first year as president of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative

As we celebrate the first anniversary of Dr. Justin Morris as President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative, we took the opportunity to sit down with him and discuss how he feels about the past year.

Justin reflects on the achievements of the city and Chamber & Initiative over the past year, the evolving business landscape in Bristol, and Business West’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth. He also shares his vision for the future and offers advice to new business leaders eager to get involved with the wider community. 

What has been the best part of being President for the past year?

Without question the opportunity to meet more members of the Bristol Chamber and Initiative. The number and diversity of types of businesses continues to grow and it has been wonderful to hear from so many people in business who want to see the best for Bristol.

Bristol has faced significant changes in the past year, and with more to come how do you see the city's business landscape evolving?

There is a growing confidence that even more of the potential of this amazing city can be realised in the next few years. With the recent political changes, both locally and nationally, will come a period of stability and with some of the economic pressures forecast to reduce, there is a renewed send of optimism. The quarterly business survey organised by Business West echoes this view amongst the business community.

Sustainability and green growth are key issues for you. How has the Chamber & Initiative supported businesses in embracing these priorities?

Inclusive growth has become a much more accepted and established approach to economic growth in the last few years and Bristol is better placed than many cities to embrace this. This, twinned with an inherently green outlook and a desire to lead the UK in how we address the Climate and Nature Emergencies, makes me proud to be a Bristolian. Business West has been championing this approach, in particular through the Initiative, for many years and this is increasingly reflected in the local and regional strategies of our local and regional authorities.

Looking ahead, what are your priorities for the next year as President?

I am keen to ensure that the change last year to a membership-owned business is really embedded in how Business West considers priorities and makes decisions. We have established an Advisory Committee made up of the leaders of different businesses, drawn from a variety of industries and scales of business. We will be talking more in the coming months about the areas that we believe will benefit from a continued focus.

What advice would you give to new business leaders who are looking to get involved with the Bristol Chamber & Initiative or the wider business community?

Come along to one of the many events organised by Business West for the Chamber and Initiative. There is a wide variety of activities in the events programme that Business West put together, which means that there is something meaningful for everyone. As importantly, it is always good to talk to and hear from others in the business community, whether that is discussing shared challenges or new opportunities. 

Justin’s passion for Bristol and his dedication to fostering a thriving and sustainable business environment are clear throughout our discussion. As he embarks on his second year as President, his commitment to ensuring that Business West and the Bristol Chamber & Initiative continue to support the city’s business community is more resolute than ever. For those inspired by his vision and keen to play a part in shaping Bristol’s future, the Bristol Initiative offers an excellent opportunity to engage with like-minded leaders. Exploring membership could be the first step toward making your voice heard in our vibrant dynamic city and business community.