Given the region’s economic strengths, scale and potential, a more focused growth plan should deliver higher returns on investment and greater productivity gains for the UK.

——-> looking forward to seeing West of England Mayoral Combined Authority publish its local growth plan 👀🙌

⏭️ The Brunel Centre’s analysis suggests regional productivity improvements could be unlocked through targeted investments in capital infrastructure, education and R&D, which would help realise additional productivity growth and boost the region’s contribution to UK prosperity.

🔬 Leveraging the West of England’s strengths in research and development (R&D) could drive productivity growth.

✈️ South Gloucestershire’s strong sustained productivity performance, which is anchored in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence.

⬆️ Bristol’s considerable potential to contribute to regional economic growth through productivity improvements.

Given the region’s economic strengths, scale and potential, a more focused growth plan should deliver higher returns on investment and greater productivity gains for the UK.

——-> looking forward to seeing West of England Mayoral Combined Authority publish its local growth plan 👀🙌

⏭️ The Brunel Centre’s analysis suggests regional productivity improvements could be unlocked through targeted investments in capital infrastructure, education and R&D, which would help realise additional productivity growth and boost the region’s contribution to UK prosperity.

🔬 Leveraging the West of England’s strengths in research and development (R&D) could drive productivity growth.

✈️ South Gloucestershire’s strong sustained productivity performance, which is anchored in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence.

⬆️ Bristol’s considerable potential to contribute to regional economic growth through productivity improvements.

No luck, but a lot learnt about crowdfunding campaigns on the way!

Goodness me, £1.87 million

🌆 From civil contingency measures to planning for a post-war renewal, I thought looking back at the archives provided some great learning into how businesses can lead in times of hardship.

Thanks to BJC, Business West, and British Chamber of Commerce for helping share these stories.

Here's a timeline that I produced from my findings in the Archives, looking through Newpaper Archives, reading John Penny's Bristol at War and Helen Reid's Bristol Under Siege, Chatting to Kathryn Davies from Visit West and Duncan McKellar from Bristol Blitz Tour. Grateful to Bristol Archives.

Aprox 1/3 of men served in the armed forces by 1944, with conscription for all British men between the ages of 18 - 41. Many others serving in the Territorial Army, and with many women filling roles in industries, in voluntary organisations such as the red cross, and military & intelligence roles.

✊ Immediately after VE Day, the Chamber began establishing Bristol Junior Chamber for younger generations of proffesionals. They noted the role of young demobilised servicemen as “the venturers of the future.” Hope returned with peace. #Victory80

Read: bristoljuniorchamber.co.uk/bjc-commemor...

🤦‍♀️ The Chamber supported women in the war effort but hesitated on equal pay. It backed the 1944 Equal Pay Commission—however in the end the Chamber conveyed to government that it believed implementation could harm “national wellbeing.”… Col Whitwill's own daughter served at Bletchley during the War.

✈️ The Chamber's post-War vision was of an ‘airminded’ Bristol: they called for a new regional airport, hotels to host global conferences, and local SMEs engaging in international trade. Bristol’s future would be in flight - with a thriving aerospace and export economy.

🧑‍🏫 The Chamber invited thinkers like Hayek & Schumacher to speak in Bristol on employment, inflation and the free market. Export revival, full employment, and productivity were seen as the keys to peace and rebuilding Bristol. The Bevridge Report was hugely influential on discussions.

🧠 By 1942, eyes were on the future. Chamber President Col. Mark Whitwill set up subcommittees on post-war trade, housing, and employment: “Businessmen appreciate the significance of post-war planning,”. Col. Whitwill was the longest serving BCC Pres, serving for the entire duration of the war.