We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Claire Pearce as the new Chair of the Board here at SWBC.
Claire’s bio
Claire has over thirty years’ experience working across the public and private sectors in a diverse range of development roles, all with a key focus on place transformation, performance and delivery. With a demonstrable track record in nationally significant and complex regeneration projects, Claire has been able to create the conditions to attract investment, transform places and uplift opportunities for communities.
Known for a pro-growth, pro-business approach, Claire has led and delivered considerable economic restructuring both in Reading and more recently in Bridgwater and has left a legacy that evidences track record and celebrates sustained economic growth.
Formally Chief Planning Officer for Sedgemoor District Council, Claire led the public sector response to Hinkley Point C from strategy through negotiation, consenting to implementation. Claire has provided strategic advice on Sizewell C and has operated as the Director of Planning for the Salamanca Group for 5 years, re-imaging the planning and regeneration strategy to create the Gravity project, securing the Tata/ Agratas gigafactory into the UK.
Claire has now established Real Growth Ltd in 2024 providing independent advisory services to unlock transformational projects from concept to delivery. Currently engaged in Dorset with a brief to shape and energise a programme of emerging NSIPs which will establish a new destination for international investment and launch a clean energy super cluster – aligned to accelerate and deliver the Governments Modern Industrial Strategy.
Claire has provided support to constituency offices to attract investment and improve economic prospects and has recently contributed to the Women of Influence panel, a NIPA community benefits panel and a Bristol Festival of Economics debate. Claire is also a Governor of Bridgwater and Taunton College.
Awarded the IED Director Bev Hurley CBE said: “Our judges praised Claire for her dedication, pioneering spirit… transformational leadership…clear vision, strategic implementation, and the delivery of measurable outcomes.”
here’s what claire has to say about joining swbc as chair:
“It is with great pleasure that I have accepted an offer from the Board to join them as Chair of the South West Business Council. I look forward to working closely with the Board and our Members to collaborate across the private and public sectors to effect purposeful dialogue and action.
A priority will be to build on our excellent relationships to ensure we have a strong and cohesive, business voice into Government as well as engaging with investor teams to champion the South West as a place to do business. I am passionate about identifying best practice and celebrating success as well as tackling systemic barriers that block investment and creating inertia that reduces prospects for renewal at a local level.
The South West is an exceptional regional and already plays a key role nationally across key industrial growth sectors. We can do more and offer more to our communities. Working as a SWBC team, I am excited to explore the art of the possible.”
claire’s accolades and awards:
- Institute of Economic Development (IED) Leader of the Year in 2024
- The Planner RTPI Women of Influence 2025
Paul Coles, CEO of SWBC said upon Claire’s appointment, “From my perspective, I am really excited about working with Claire to keep on with our work to support our members and to help deliver on some of the significant regional opportunties we have in front of us”.
