Business Leaders welcome new West of England Mayor to chart path forward

On Wednesday, the Bristol Initiative brought together business leaders at the EQ Building for its Quarterly Members' Meeting, featuring a powerful keynote from new West of England Mayor Helen Godwin that set the tone for Bristol's prosperous future and that of the wider region.

Setting the Stage: Optimism for Bristol’s Future

Nigel Hardy, Partner at S&W, welcomed attendees to their new sustainable HQ, highlighting the firm’s century-long roots in Bristol and their dedication to the region’s growth.

Ed Rowberry, President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative, reflected on recent wins for the West, from the £750 million transport investment to free bus travel for under-16s during school holidays. He also outlined the Initiative’s refreshed priorities: placemaking, skills, transport, and reducing inequality, all driven by the belief that business must be a force for good.

Key Updates: Economic Insights and New Partnerships

Victoria Matthews, Bristol Initiative Director, shared highlights from the latest Quarterly Economic Survey, noting challenges including recruitment struggles and cautious business investment. Victoria also celebrated the Industrial Strategy’s recognition of some of our innovation hubs, including Airbus and the National Composites Centre.

A warm welcome was extended to new members: Arnolfini, Serco, ACH, Birketts, Deloitte, WSP, and RWK Goodman, strengthening the Initiative’s network.

Helen Godwin's Keynote: A Blueprint for Bristol's Future

At one of her first major business events since taking office, Mayor Helen Godwin shared a transformative vision for the region, blending immediate action plans with long-term strategy.

"I think we have hit the ground running," Helen said, outlining rapid progress in the following areas:

Transport

Celebrating the £750 million transport settlement, Helen pledged to deliver "a bus network people can rely on" while advancing plans for mass transit. "I grew up here and I’m just as tired as everyone else of hearing maybe it's going to be a tram and then it goes away, and the underground conversations and all those things. But the reality is we're making a case to government in order for this place to do even better than it currently does … we need to open up transport infrastructure."

Skills & Opportunity 

With tens of thousands of economically inactive working-age residents in the region who aren’t in education, Helen announced plans for new business partnerships to create pathways to employment. "This isn't about benefits … it's about matching our workforce to the jobs of tomorrow."

Housing

Advanced talks are underway with Homes England to accelerate development, particularly around Bristol Temple Quarter and Brabazon. Talking about other developments around the city, Helen said "There’s planning permission for around 16,000 new homes in Bristol but many of them aren’t progressing fast enough."

Devolution & Expanding the Combined Authority

"I would definitely like to see North Somerset coming into the combined authority at the earliest point,” Helen stated, while discussing expanding the combined authority and emphasising collaboration with neighbouring counties. 

When later speaking further on devolution and how the combined authority is run she had this to say: "We've got to be getting really good at spending the money that we've got... showing value for money and return on that."

On Culture & the Arts:

Announcing the UK's first Citizens' Assembly on Cultural Policy, Helen committed to making arts accessible: "Culture can't just serve one part of our community. We're sending invites to about 15,000 households asking people what they want to see in terms of our cultural offering."

Telling Bristol’s Story

During the Q&A, Helen was asked where she wanted to be as Mayor in 12 months:

"My main thing is that people would (A) know that they have a mayor and (B) know that the mayor has done something." 

In her closing remarks and during the Q&A, Helen issued direct calls to action, urging Bristol’s business leaders to champion the region’s successes when engaging with external audiences - specifically mentioning London policymakers and international partners. She emphasized that highlighting tangible advancements like the new electric bus fleet, the £150 million Creative Industries Fund, and the thriving startup ecosystem would amplify the region’s influence. She framed this advocacy as mission-critical, asserting that such proactive storytelling "moves needles" by driving investment, policy support, and regional recognition.

Experience insights like these firsthand

By joining the Bristol Initiative, you gain exclusive access to sold-out events where regional leaders shape policy, network with influential business leaders and have a direct line to the partnerships driving Bristol’s future. Don’t just read about progress; be in the room where it happens. Join us today to connect, collaborate, and catalyse what’s next for our region.