Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative has appointed Richard Bonner, city executive at global building consultancy group Arcadis, as its new president, succeeding UWE vice chancellor and president Prof Steve West.
Richard, pictured, will play a lead role in engaging with the government, local authorities and other organisations on behalf of the city’s business community.
Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative said he will help Bristol firms capture and nurture opportunities while also ensuring that the city region’s reputation for business remains high.
Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative – part of Business West, the South West’s largest business organisation – is the lead body for business engagement in the city and its surrounding area.
Business West, which also runs the chambers of commerce in Bath, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, played a lead role in the campaign to gain devolved powers for the West of England as well as getting elected mayors for both Bristol and the West of England.
Richard said his priorities for 2018 were:
- Engaging business to make a success of West of England devolution and pursuing sustainable long-term growth plans. These include the Joint Spatial Plan, Joint Transport Strategy and Industrial Strategy and impact on areas such as housing, regeneration, infrastructure and skills.
- Partnership working, including with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Bristol Mayor’s City Office, Destination Bristol and Cultural Development
- Linking business to schools and education.
Richard also said all these areas were important to Arcadis, and his appointment would act as a platform to continue to build the consultancy’s brand, influence and impact in the city.
Last year Arcadis relocated its Bristol offices from Portwall Place and The Pithay to the showpiece 2 Glass Wharf flagship office building at Temple Quay, where it employs more than 150 people.
The consultancy was formed in 2015 when Hyder Consulting and EC Harris were brought together under one name.
Richard said: “It is a great honour to be announced as the president of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative, and to succeed Steve, who has made great strides during his tenure, working with local authority groups and businesses to make the city region a healthier, happier place to live and do business.
“I believe Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative provides the best of both worlds. As a local chamber it sits at the heart of our local economy and, as part of Business West, it also has the authority and influence to be a strong voice of business, supporting it to develop and grow.
“Bristol and the West of England is a thriving place to be and I am looking forward to playing an increasing role in engaging local stakeholders and the business community to realise the potential of this region.”
Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative chief executive James Durie added: “Working closely with Richard for a number of years, I have seen first-hand the key role he has played in championing sustainable and inclusive growth across the city of Bristol, working tirelessly both in his capacity as city executive at Arcadis and voluntarily as a member of the Initiative.
“I am looking forward to working with him as he steps into Prof West’s shoes and makes his own mark on the region
“I believe it is vitally important for our board of directors to be from varying backgrounds, reflecting the rich diversity of the business community. Richard will head our board of unpaid volunteers with wide-ranging business expertise, giving freely of their time – and we greatly value their assistance in the development of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative.”
