Welcome from our Chair
The South West is an exceptional region 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, we are excited to explore the art of the possible. We have been working hard to support businesses and promote economic growth in our region now for over 20 years.
Our aim is to act in the best interests of our members, providing a voice for businesses across the South West, representing their interests inside and outside the region, and forging opportunities for collaboration, innovation and prosperity.
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.
No matter the size or sector of our members, we seek to understand their priorities and work closely with them to help them achieve their goals by mobilising our networks, sharing intelligence and creating opportunities and partnerships.
Our success over the last 20 years is evidence of our tangible impact, and we are committed to bringing about lasting change and making a positive difference in the lives of our members and the wider community.
Claire Pearce, Chair, South West Business Council
What we do
Membership benefits range depending on the package of support. Our strategic priorities are as follows:
- Work closely with other business groups in the South West at a strategic level to act like a ‘network of networks’
- Facilitate and support vital opportunities for partnership, trade and investment that have strategic importance to the region
- Provide strategic insight to members to help them thrive
- Bring together leading business figures at regional events, to provide opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration
- Represent the interests of South West businesses, supporting trade, investment and economic growth
- Nurture and maintain personal, trusted, and long-standing relationships with all members individually
- Influence key stakeholders and policy-makers to support the business community
- Keep businesses informed of major developments inside and outside the region.
- Lobby for inward investment, infrastructure improvements, sustainability initiatives and retaining talent in the region
- Undertake discrete advisory services for strategically important businesses