News / Business West
Top business leader becomes chair of Business West
Colin Skellett has become chair of Business West, one of the largest chambers of commerce in the UK.
Colin previously held the position of chief executive officer at Bristol-based property development company, YTL UK Group.
The YTL UK Group manages Brabazon New Town, and the Arena complex at Filton, Wessex Water, YTL’s UK hotels, GENeco and a number of retail businesses.
A scientist and engineer by training, Colin has worked largely in the water industry, becoming chief executive of Wessex Water in 1988.
Colin has previously held non-executive roles in rail, travel and international infrastructure businesses, and served on the Board of the South West Regional Development Agency.
Colin was awarded an OBE for services to businesses and WaterAid in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours and has honorary doctorates in engineering from the UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol.
Speaking about his new position, Colin said: “Business West has a great track record of working in partnership to deliver real change to the benefit of this region.
“We are a powerful voice – if you look at the number of members and area we cover, we are one of the most powerful chambers in the country. Levelling up, climate change and regeneration are all areas where we can make a real difference.
Colin also laid out some key areas of development for the future of Business West: “We also need to identify the big new opportunities such as hydrogen or low carbon technologies. Business is the engine that drives economic growth, and we have a key part to play.”
Business West represents over 21,000 businesses in the South West, including its network of Chambers of Commerce members in Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
Main photo: Business West
Read more: New ‘£17m Net Zero carbon’ office development at Aztec West
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