Shared vision for the region: insights from the Bristol Initiative Spring Members’ Evening

Members of the Bristol Initiative came together last week at the Bristol Beacon for the Spring Quarterly Members’ Evening, an event that brought together business leaders, partners and city stakeholders to share updates, explore new ideas and reflect on the future of the West of England economy.  

The evening opened with a warm welcome from Simon Wales, CEO of the Bristol Beacon, who shared the venue’s strategic plan and vision to bring the joy of live music to everyone. He emphasised the power of community and the wealth of partnership opportunities open to local businesses.

Ed Rowberry, President of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative,​ referenced Bristol’s standing in national conversations about cities and economic growth. The announcement that Bristol has been named one of the top-performing cities for Gross Value Added (GVA) in a recent report by the Centre for Cities garnered a round of applause from the room. 

The importance of long-term investment in the region was highlighted, including via the newly named Aviva Arena and the Pride in Place initiative, a national government programme, worth approximately £5 billion, aimed at supporting communities across the UK.  

Delivered through local authorities, the Pride in Place programme focuses on empowering local areas to take a leading role in shaping their own development. Locally, initiatives are underway in Hartcliffe and Twerton, each receiving £20 million in funding over a ten-year period. 

Connor Jones, current President of the Bristol Junior Chamber (BJC), highlighted the organisation’s 78-year legacy of supporting young professionals in the city and strengthening connections between emerging leaders and Bristol’s business community.  

Over the past year alone, they have delivered more than 50 events, creating opportunities for members to build networks, develop professionally and engage with the issues shaping the city. 

Looking ahead, incoming President Jyles Allen outlined ambitions to build on that momentum by inspiring the next generation of business leaders to see Bristol as a place where they can build long-term careers, contribute to the region and help shape its future. Businesses across the city are encouraged to start conversations within their organisations and networks about the BJC, and to support its work by encouraging young professionals to get involved.

Our keynote presentation was an exclusive preview for Bristol Initiative members of the upcoming Strategic Economic Audit for the West of England. The work, developed by the Brunel Centre alongside Futures West, will launch publicly on 19th March at the Festival of Flourishing Regions in Bristol.  

We heard from Dr Lucy Martin, Director of The Brunel Centre, Damian Whittard (Associate Professor in Economics at University of the West of England’s Bristol Business School) and Matt Dickson (Professor of Economic and Social Policy at the Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath), who showcased some of the rich work within the economic audit, and how it can be used as a strong tool in championing how much our region contributes to national economic growth. 

As the findings are currently under embargo, the preview offered only a glimpse of the research's thinking and direction of travel, but what was clear from the discussion was the purpose behind the economic audit. It is designed to provide a shared evidence base for the region, helping organisations align around the challenges and opportunities that will shape the West of England in the years ahead.

Members were invited to share their views in real time via an interactive Slido feedback session, responding to initial emerging themes. It was encouraging to see strong engagement from the room and clear support for the value of this work. The feedback gathered during the session will help shape how the findings are used once the report is launched. 

The evening also included a round-up of key announcements and recent activity carried out by the Bristol Initiative from Acting Director, Jenny Ablett, while Andrea Dell, Director of Futures West, reflected on the wider regional context, including the role of Universities West and the importance of the skills agenda in supporting economic growth. 

The closing message returned to the importance of vision. The conversations in the room highlighted a shared belief that Bristol and the wider West of England have the potential to lead, provided the region continues to work together and turn insight into action. 

With the launch of the Strategic Economic Audit for the West of England fast approaching, members are encouraged to continue the conversation and join us at the Festival of Flourishing Regions.