“It’s only business that can get us out of this mess…”
The “mess” that Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, refers to is, of course, the economic headwinds and lack of confidence faced by businesses due to the instability and upheaval at the heart of government as well as external factors like Covid-19, Ukraine and the climate emergency.
Phil, who has 31 years at the helm of the region’s biggest business champion, firmly believes it’s our entrepreneurs who hold the key to the region and country’s future prospects.
“The Government can’t make money, it’s businesses and the taxes they pay,” he said. “The only way we will ever get out of this is business growth, enterprise and wealth creation so we need our businesses to do that. Government is nothing without tax.”
It’s Business West, an , that gives voice to, supports and lobbies on behalf of the wealth creators who are, after all, the building blocks of the region’s economy.
Phil said: “We have been representing, serving, leading and looking after business of all sizes and sectors for two centuries and when you look back at the notes and the constitution for the forming of Bristol Chamber of Commerce back in 1823 it was saying the same kind of things that we talk about now, transport, people, tax and trade. Nothing has changed and everything has changed in some respects.
“Our purpose is to make this the best part of the şŁ˝ÇĘÓƵ to start and run and grow a business and a great place to live, work and learn. We are the most influential regional organisation in terms of what we do and it’s all centred around helping our area be productive and successful.
“We know our businesses. Bristol is the location of lots of companies, even if they are multi-nationals and trade around the world, they have a base in Bristol and they have an interest in this place. We balance having scale and clout and a voice and views in government, but also being able to represent Totterdown when they need us, too.”
Certified B Corp
20,000 companies turn to Business West every year for practical help and advice, as a link-up with other businesses, for services on anything from health and safety through HR, to hydrogen, and to lobby local and national government on their behalf.
Business West has 150 staff and a turnover of ÂŁ10 million (profits are reinvested back into the business.) and is a certified B Corp. To attain , companies must be able to demonstrate responsible practices in five impact areas: governance, workers, community, environment and customers.
With members reporting confidence in the economy at a low (Business West’s latest quarterly survey says a meagre 9 per cent), its skills and influence have never been more important.
Phil said: “We are, in effect, the trades union for businesses. If they want to shout and get something done, we can do it."
Looking forward
Business West is looking to the future. Innovation, the green agenda, international trade and people and skills are all at the top of the inbox. And Phil is focused on enabling business to adapt to new opportunities and challenges in a post-Brexit, post Covid world.
He explained: “A country without exports is like a house without any household income coming in, everything else is just giving pocket money to the kids. We need to have money coming in through the ±«°â€™s front door be it through Dover, through Bristol Port, Bristol Airport or through Felixstowe, we need exports.”
Greener future
Business West believes the south west region has a great opportunity to be a leader in the green and blue economy. Harnessing the region’s natural advantages could be instrumental in a greener future for all. But it is also there to help the SMEs take practical and simple steps to adapt to the changing environment, as many are keen to take action but don’t know where to start to reduce their carbon emissions.
BristolLive Business Awards 2022
Business West is a proud sponsor of the Business of the Year category at the annual awards ceremony, run in association with BusinessLive and newspaper Bristol Post. The awards recognise the city’s best and brightest companies, bringing together senior leaders from wide-ranging industries, from large corporates to fast-growing start-ups.
Phil said: "We are the business body for Bristol and it seems natural to do that one. Bristol needs to keep on celebrating its business community, the economic powerhouse of the South West."
The awards take place on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Ashton Gate Stadium.
To find out more information about the awards visit
To find out more about Business West click on to
