Business West strengthens board with three new non-executive directors

Business West has appointed three new non-executive directors to its board. Ed Rowberry, Kate Westbrook and Alistair Colston bring their extensive experience in business leadership and regional advocacy to the board.   

The new non-executive directors will help set Business West’s strategic and investment priorities, ensuring they align to the organisation’s purpose to drive long-term prosperity for businesses and the region.  

Collectively, the directors represent the interests of members in Bristol, Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire and will chair their respective region's Local Advisory Committee. The committees will convene members and seek feedback to inform local-based, and wider regional, strategies. 

Ed Rowberry, who also serves as Business West’s Bristol Chamber & Initiative President, is the driving force behind BBRC, the region’s first home-grown place-based impact investment company. Ed has mobilised more than £70m investment into the West of England, and is committed to driving ‘good growth’.  

Kate Westbrook is a Partner at Thrings and Head of the law firm’s Commercial team, working with businesses to reduce their legal risk and protect value. She is based in Swindon and has over 20 years’ experience in contract law, servicing a range of businesses from small technology start-ups all the way up to global multinationals. 

Alistair Colston, who is based in Bath, is a chartered surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer with significant experience in commercial real estate from over forty years of practice with international firms in London and the West Country and, currently, as a consultant to CSquared, the practice he founded in 2008.  

Colin Skellett, Chair of Business West said:

“Kate, Ed and Alistair are not only experts in their respective fields, but also highly influential in their local business community. This makes them ideal chairs for our Local Advisory Committees, helping to ensure we deliver on our ongoing commitment to driving long-term prosperity for businesses and our region." 

“Our new non-executive directors join us at a pivotal time, with a change of Chief Executive due to take place next spring. They will help ensure the smooth transition of leadership, whilst bolstering our board and ability to achieve our vision.” 

Ed Rowberry, Chief Executive of BBRC and President of the Bristol Chamber & Initiative, said:

“Business West plays a crucial role in bringing together the people, organisations and ideas that drive our region forward. I’m delighted to join the board at such an important time for our local economy – one where collaboration and purposeful investment are essential to creating long term, inclusive prosperity for businesses and communities across the region.” 

Kate Westbrook, Thrings’ Head of Commercial, said:

“As someone who enjoys being able to help businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their potential in my day job, I’m thrilled to be joining Business West’s board and support their vital work to drive growth and innovation in the South West, bringing together like-minded people from across the region as part of a wider mission to ensure we compete on a national and global stage.” 

Alistair Colston, Consultant and RICS Registered Valuer at CSquared, said:

“I have enjoyed my involvement with Bath Chamber of Commerce and the Initiative in B&NES over the past 20 years and have benefitted greatly from the support of the business community in which CSquared works. Being appointed to the Board of Business West is a privilege that gives me the opportunity to represent the interests of our local business community at the regional level, and I look forward to playing an active part in Business West’s drive to support businesses to grow and prosper.”