Bristol Initiative September Members’ Meeting Recap

The recent Bristol Initiative September Members’ Meeting at the RWA was a remarkable gathering of leaders and visionaries dedicated to shaping the future of Bristol. From exciting updates to ground-breaking advancements in technology and a lively panel discussion on Bristol Temple Quarter, the event provided a comprehensive overview of the city's ongoing transformation. We also announced our next President of the Bristol Chambers of Commerce, Dr Justin Morris, Chief Executive of Bristol Zoological Society. If you missed the meeting, don’t worry, we’ve got a recap for you below.

Jaya’s Last Presidential Address

The event kicked off with a bang as Bristol Chamber of Commerce President Jaya Chakrabarti greeted our Members and discussed the impressive £4.6 million makeover of the Royal West of England Academy (RWA). This historic venue, located in Bristol, now boasts a stunning new look that still preserves the history of the building. Jaya also mentioned the importance of community involvement, encouraging attendees to take part in our Quarterly Economic Survey. She also announced with a heavy heart that this would be her last ever Bristol Initiative meeting, though we will get to that news later.

Introduction from The RWA – historic Bristolian Art Gallery and one of the South West’s leading centres for the exhibition, exploration and practice of the visual arts

Next up was Alison Bevan, Director of the RWA and a passionate advocate for art and culture, who shared fascinating insights about Bristol's first purpose-built art gallery. Founded by Ellen Sharples, it is believed that this gallery holds the distinction of being the world's first to train both men and women in the arts. The gallery is currently hosting its 170th Annual Open Exhibition, welcoming artists from all backgrounds. Alison also hinted at themed exhibitions in the pipeline and talked a bit more about their significant renovation project. Moreover, she highlighted the gallery's commitment to inclusivity, making it available for event hire, including creative meetings and even yoga sessions.

A Call to Action from The Bristol Initiative

Alison was followed by Business West’s Bristol Initiative Director, Victoria Matthews. She underscored the importance of member mobilisation in her address, emphasizing the Our City 2030 project. She called upon the community to get involved in other projects, such as the Bristol Local Plan and the Bristol city centre plan, as well as the West of England Combined Authority’s refreshed strategy. Victoria also hinted at upcoming priorities for 2024, with a new president poised to lead the way. Finally,  attendees were encouraged to mark their calendars for the upcoming meeting with Dan Norris on December 6th and the Spring meeting on March 12, 2024.

AI Innovation at the University of Bristol

Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, stepped up to the podium next to unveil exciting news about the university becoming home to the new national supercomputer focused on AI research, Isambard AI. With a staggering £240 million in government funding, this initiative places Bristol at the forefront of AI innovation. Led by Simon McIntosh-Smith, the project is based on the Isambard 3 AI, developed by the GW4 consortium. This development promises to drive ground-breaking AI research in the UK.

The Temple Quarter Panel Discussion

After the exciting AI news, we were treated to a presentation on the current status of the regeneration in Temple Quarter by Karen Mercer, Delivery Director for Bristol Temple Quarter. She was followed by Barra Mac Ruairí, Chief Property Officer for the University of Bristol, to talk about the University’s investment in the region and plans for their campus in Temple Quarter.

Then the panel discussion begun, with Barra  joined by Stephen Peacock, CEO of Bristol City Council Richard Ennis, CEO of the West of England Combined Authority and Kirsten Durie, Temple Quarter’s Industry Programme Manager for Network Rail. 

The panel, hosted by Richard Bonner, reflected on a decade of progress. They emphasized the importance of community engagement and consultation in shaping the future of Temple Quarter. Stephen highlighted the vast opportunities in the area, especially given its proximity to deprived areas in Bristol and the influx of families from London. Kirsten pointed out the significant return on investment that Temple Quarter regeneration can bring. Richard commended the partnership between West of England Combined Authority and Network Rail, highlighting its importance.

Q&A Session Highlights

• During the Q&A session, several thought-provoking questions were raised:
• Social Value: How is Temple Quarter working with partners to create social value? Stephen emphasized the need to involve communities and small businesses, and the importance of collaboration.
• Affordable Housing: our former President, Jaya, asked what is Temple Quarter doing to address affordable housing? Stephen highlighted their commitment to building affordable housing but acknowledged the challenges posed by land preparation.
• Climate: How is Temple Quarter addressing the climate crisis? Karen emphasized the partners' commitment to achieving net-zero carbon and other environmental goals.
• Connectivity: How will Temple Quarter connect with the rest of the region? Richard revealed plans for seven new stations, beginning with Portishead, although he acknowledged the challenges of building new stations.

Jaya's Farewell and Introduction of our new president

Jaya concluded the event by thanking everyone and reflecting on her remarkable two-year tenure as the president of Bristol Chamber of Commerce. She highlighted her efforts to promote equity, champion small businesses, and all under the destabilising influences of pressing global issues such as Brexit, COVID-19, climate change, and the war in Ukraine. Jaya expressed her excitement in announcing the incoming president, Dr. Justin Morris of Bristol Zoological Society, who gave a short introduction speech, sharing his priorities around nature, health, and green growth.

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The Bristol Initiative event was a testament to the city's vibrant business community and its commitment to progress. With transformative projects in diversity and inclusion, technology, and urban development, Bristol is poised for an exciting future. The event underscored the importance of collaboration, community engagement, and inclusivity in shaping the Bristol we want to leave to the next generation. As the city continues to evolve, its leaders and visionaries are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable and inclusive future.