A new business board that will advise the West of England mayor on growth opportunities in the region is being formed.
Nick Sturge, co-founder of Bristol's Engine Shed, and Jo Dally, chief business officer of South West innovation centre NCC, are joining as interim chairs for the first year.
The board will represent the full breadth of the West’s diverse economy, according to the West of England Combined Authority (Weca). The business advisory roles are unpaid.
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According to Weca, the board will become the primary platform for businesses to engage with the regional authority’s strategic priorities, including the Growth Strategy which is set to be launched in September.
All council leaders, including North Somerset, will be part of the board, with board members appointed in "due course".
The board will aim to drive growth, support key sectors, and help secure investment in the region.
Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, said: “Businesses across the West are driving the innovation which gives our region the strongest recent economic growth of any combined authority area in the country.
"But we know that there is more to do. We need to celebrate our success so far, attract further investment, and ensure that everybody here has their chance to get on.
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“I know that Jo and Nick share that ambitious goal, which will be restated in our 10-year Growth Strategy in September. Working with our new board as it comes together, they bring decades of business experience to the table to inform and enhance our work with businesses across the region."
Ms Dally said: “I passionately believe the West of England can trailblaze in demonstrating how places can drive inclusive growth and industrial transformation, both regionally and nationally."
Nick Sturge said the region, with its "richness of diversity in sectors and population", had "many challenges and opportunities" but that by working together it could "thrive and fulfil its potential with renewed vigour".
“Enabling and facilitating the voice, interests and collective capability of the business, voluntary and education communities to support Helen’s mission will be exciting and I look forward to working with Jo to do this," he added.