The CBI has appointed University of the West of England (UWE) vice chancellor Steve West as its South West regional chair.
Prof West, pictured, replaces Graham Cole of helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland, who has held the role for the past two years. He will support CBI member companies in the region and represent South West business leaders on key policy and regulatory issues. 
He said: “I am immensely proud and excited to be taking on this role. It will also, however, be extremely challenging.
“British industry is facing a number of very complex issues: How secure is our economic recovery? What should our role be in the EU? How do we continue to rebuild our manufacturing base and expand our export levels?
“Industry cannot afford to face these as a disparate group of companies. We must work together. Our communal strength is far more than the sum of our individual parts.”
CBI regional director Deborah Waddell: “I am delighted to welcome Steve to his new role and look forward to working closely with him on behalf of the CBI’s South West members.
“His experience of working with the region’s businesses and universities means that he is very well positioned to represent their interests and ensure that national governments understand what makes the South West unique.”
Prof West trained as a podiatrist and podiatric surgeon in London, working in the NHS and private/commercial sector from 1982. He entered academia in 1984 as a lecturer, then senior lecturer, at The Chelsea School of Chiropody and Podiatric Medicine, The London Foot Hospital and Westminster University.
He joined UWE in 1995 as dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care and professor of Health and Social Care. He became pro vice-chancellor in 2005, deputy vice-chancellor a year later and acting vice-chancellor in August 2007. In May 2008 he took up post as vice-chancellor.
He is a Fellow of the Society of Chiropodists, Fellow of the College of Podiatric Medicine and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. He continues to develop his research interest in lower limb biomechanics and the diabetic foot and holds a number of honorary and advisory appointments in his discipline, and healthcare policy and practice, both nationally and internationally.
Last year he became president of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and chair of the West of England Initiative, forging the link between a business-facing university and the business leadership organisation Business West.
