The Institute of Directors (IoD) is relocating its South West headquarters to UWE Bristol in a move that further cements the partnership between the two organisations.
The office will be based at the recently-opened Business and Law Faculty, pictured, on the university’s Frenchay Campus. It will also act as a second hub for IoD members – they already have access to the facilities at Bristol’s Engine Shed innovation hub, near Temple Meads. 
The IoD’s regional office was previously based at the Innovation Centre at the Bristol & Bath Science Park at Emersons Green.
The IoD and UWE already partner on a number of key initiatives, including student membership, the Team Entrepreneurship degree programme and the Bristol Distinguished Address Series, of which the IoD was a founding member.
IoD regional director Nick Sturge said: “Encouraging the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs has always been one of the IoD’s priorities, so it seems entirely appropriate that we should be regionally headquartered at UWE, which has such an established reputation for business and enterprise studies.
“Having a physical presence in the Business and Law faculty will enable us to be even more actively involved in supporting existing and new initiatives, such as the Team Entrepreneurship degree and some of the activities at Launch Space, which provides enterprise support for graduate businesses.”
UWE pro vice-chancellor and executive dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Donna Whitehead, added: “As the largest university in the South West, UWE is a key driver for productivity and economic growth. It is our responsibility to develop graduates’ skills and experiences to ensure that they can make a meaningful contribution to the world of work and their community.
“Consistent and practical interactions with business and industry help facilitate a successful transition into the workplace. Our relationship with the IoD is one facet of this and our students have benefited enormously from initiatives such as the student membership programme. I am delighted we are now under the same roof.”
Picture at the opening of the new IoD regional office at UWE. From left, IoD regional director Simon Face, UWE pro vice-chancellor Donna Whitehead, IoD Bristol branch chair Lhosa Daly and Nick Sturge, IoD regional chair
