In a significant move to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the UK, in 2023 Business West joined forces with five leading regional business organisations to form the Growing Together Alliance. We joined with the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, BusinessLDN, Business South, Cambridge Ahead, and the North West Business Leadership Team to leverage the unique strengths of each region and address national challenges such as productivity, innovation, and regional disparity.
For Bristol Initiative members, this coalition represents a powerful channel to amplify the voice of the South West, strengthen inter-regional collaboration, and ensure that Bristol is able to play a leading role on the national stage.
What is the Growing Together Alliance?
To share a little more detail - The Growing Together Alliance is a coalition of the above six influential regional business groups united by a shared vision: to drive transformational, sustainable, and inclusive growth across the UK. By working together, the alliance aims to:
- Boost regional productivity through tailored, place-based economic strategies.
- Strengthen innovation and investment by addressing barriers such as poor connectivity and underinvestment in R&D.
- Promote sustainable growth that benefits all regions and communities.
- Advocate for devolution and greater regional autonomy to enable locally-led solutions.
While we have worked with these groups in some capacity before to help boost the regional and national economy, the alliance formalises and accelerates this collaboration between us, creating a stronger voice to influence national policy and ensure that every region contributes to and benefits from the UK’s economic success.
Why Does This Matter for Bristol and the South West?
As part of the Growing Together Alliance, Business West plays a key role in ensuring that the South West’s unique strengths and challenges are represented at a national level. For members of the Bristol Initiative, this means:
A Stronger Voice for the South West
While we have always had strong ties and partnerships with central government, the alliance provides a larger platform for us to advocate on behalf of the South West for the investment, infrastructure, and policies needed to unlock our full potential. Whether it’s improving transport connectivity, securing funding for innovation hubs, or addressing skills gaps, the alliance will ensure that Bristol’s priorities are heard loud and clear.
Collaboration with Other Regions
By working closely with other leading business groups, such as the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and BusinessLDN, the Bristol Initiative can share best practices, learn from successful initiatives in other regions, and build partnerships that drive growth. This collaboration will help Bristol businesses tap into new opportunities and markets across the UK.
A Focus on Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
The alliance’s commitment to “good growth” aligns with the Bristol Initiative’s goals of creating a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive economy. From supporting green innovation to ensuring that growth benefits all communities, the Growing Together Alliance will help Bristol lead the way in building a fairer and more sustainable future.
Influence on National Policy
With a new government coming in to power last summer, the Growing Together Alliance aims to play a crucial role in shaping the national economic agenda. By being part of this coalition, Business West and by extension the Bristol Initiative can ensure that the South West’s interests are reflected in key policy decisions, from devolution to industrial strategy.
Connected Clusters: A Blueprint for Regional Growth
On 30th January 2025, the Growing Together Alliance launched its Connected Clusters report. This report presents a transformative strategy to drive interconnected, inclusive growth across the UK, focusing on regional strengths and collaboration.
For Bristol and the South West, the report’s emphasis on innovation clusters and connectivity aligns with the city’s ambitions in green technology, advanced engineering, and creative industries. It highlights five key drivers of growth:
- Connected People: Expanding access to talent and skills.
- Connected Places: Investing in transport and digital infrastructure.
- Connected Capital: Boosting R&D and place-based funding.
- Connected Leadership: Empowering local leaders through devolution.
- Connected Cultures: Building vibrant, innovative communities.
The report’s recommendations, such as improving transport links and increasing R&D investment, directly address challenges faced by Bristol. By fostering stronger connections between innovation hubs, the strategy ensures the South West plays a central role in the UK’s economic transformation.
A United Vision for the Future
The Growing Together Alliance is a testament to the power of collaboration. By bringing together the UK’s leading regional business groups, the alliance demonstrates that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. For Bristol and the South West, this is a chance to strengthen our regional economy, build partnerships across the UK, and ensure that our voice is heard where it matters most.
As Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West, aptly put it: “UK plc needs all cylinders of its engine working in concert.”
The Growing Together Alliance is the spark that will help us achieve that vision—and the Bristol Initiative is proud to be part of it.
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