The South West Business Council (SWBC) has announced the appointment of former BT director Paul Coles as its new chief executive.
Mr Coles has been on the SWBC board as its vice chair since joining in 2018 from the telecoms giant, where he was English regions director.
He also sits on the Tech South West Advisory board, is an advisory member of the South West Cyber Resilience Centre and sits on the Court of Bristol University.
With more than thirty years of experience within tech, digital and ICT, Mr Coles indicated that he was keen for the SWBC to play its part in providing young people with the skills needed to build their careers within the region鈥檚 burgeoning tech sector.
Mr Coles, who is based in North Devon, said: 鈥淚 am delighted to be taking on the role of chief executive at SWBC.
鈥淚t is a hugely challenging time for the region 鈥 in terms of both Brexit and the current pandemic 鈥 and our support for businesses across the region has never been more vital.
鈥淗owever, I do believe that the South West is well placed to take advantage of opportunities for growth.
鈥淐ovid-19 has forced us to live and work differently 鈥 to be more resilient and agile. It has shown that you can have your talent located anywhere, so why not here? Our distance from London was once perceived as an impediment. I believe it is an asset.
鈥淚 am proud to be from the South West and I look forward to working with our members and welcoming new ones. We are keen to see how we can support their ambitions through our network.鈥
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Mr Coles replaces Dr Robin Daniels, who has been SWBC鈥檚 interim chief executive since 2018.
The SWBC鈥檚 chairman Tim Jones thanked Dr Daniels for his contribution to the organisation, calling him an 鈥渆xceptional source of inspiration, support and insight".
Mr Jones said: 鈥淭he South West is outward looking and with Paul at the helm, we will continue to build opportunities for global enterprise as we navigate our way through the post-Brexit and post-pandemic landscapes.
鈥淲e must be able to take full advantage of funding generated through the Government鈥檚 levelling up and shared prosperity agendas, and we will continue to make sure the region鈥檚 voice is heard.鈥
Formerly known as Devon and Cornwall Business Council, the SWBC was formed in 2001 to represent the views of some of the South West鈥檚 biggest and influential organisations on the regional and national stage.
It was involved in Plymouth鈥檚 successful bid to become one of the country鈥檚 eight new freeports, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak during The Budget on Wednesday, March 3.
For more reaction to The Budget from South West business leaders read here.
