Every so often we like to shine the spotlight on our members, and in this case one of the members of the Bristol Initiative. We sat down with Jo Dally, to talk about her role as the Strategic Partnership Director at the National Composites Centre and their relationship with the Bristol Initiative.

Tell us about your role – what do you have responsibility for? What does a typical day look like? 

I’m Strategic Partnership Director at the National Composites Centre. 

As for a ‘day in the life of’. I can say with confidence there isn’t a typical one. My role covers relationships with places, customers, business networks, our members, and our energy business… In the last six weeks this has seen my hosting political leaders, business leaders, innovators, local residents, and, perhaps most memorably, gazing over a very misty Denmark from the top of a wind turbine! 

What does your organisation do? Why do you like working for them?

The NCC is an organisation that does much more than it ‘says on the tin’. An open access innovation centre we are on a mission to advance industrial transformation and deliver maximum benefit to the UK. Based on the Bristol and Bath Science Park, we are home to around 400 talented engineers that work across sectors including aerospace, energy, defence and space and with companies of every size (micro-emterprise to multinational). I’m particularly excited about our next big milestone…hosting one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers – Isambard-AI!

Why have you joined the Bristol Initiative? 

I am passionate about the power of partnerships and collective action in driving impactful change. The initiative provides a fantastic way to connect with like-minded individuals and organisations who can together make ‘great things happen’ for our region’s people and places.

What are the key agendas that you’re looking forward to getting involved with?

Our region is a vibrant and dynamic research and innovation cluster. I’m looking forward to working with members to create the conditions to see even more ground-breaking ideas turn into impact (including growing spin-outs, scale-ups and economic growth). That means working together not only on innovation, but on its implementation and adoption to pioneer transformational change. This includes investing in people and supply chains as well as technologies.

Where is your favourite place to visit in Bristol? 

I have to admit that while I have worked in the region for the last three-years I’m a relative Bristol newbie. So, if you see me, please do share your favourite spots. I’m all for discovery!

Would you like your business to be featured on the Business West blog? We're always looking to spotlight more of our Initiative Members, so if you'd like to get involved please email jenny.ablett@businesswest.co.uk